wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Afanassiev describes the Brahms Rhapsodies, op. 79, as "inexorable, inevitable, inflexible, implacable, unrelenting, relentless, merciless." Pianist Emanuel Ax's performance demonstrates that they are also uncommonly gripping and gorgeous. That handsome Welshman with the incredible baritone, Bryn Terfel, will be concertizing at Carnegie on April 12, but don’t wait. Hear him this evening, singing Schubert's "Das Fischermadchen" and "Standchen," accompanied here, as he will be there, by pianist Malcolm Martineau. Our most unusual offering is "Chant of The Celestial Lake," a flute concerto by Estonian Peeter Vahi, written for the soloist Maarika Jarvi, sister of the conductor, Kristjan (both fathered by Neeme). Venture into the oriental unknown as you listen. Most of us know the Stravinsky ballet "Apollo" as scored for strings, but Christopher O'Riley displays its magic in the composer's own piano version in our last hour.
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