It’s the birthday of Giuseppe Tartini (1692), composer of the famous “Devil’s Trill” Sonata for Violin and Piano, a work that is mandatory for inclusion in every violinist’s repertoire.
This evening, we hear it performed by Itzhak Perlman, who is ably supported by pianist Janet Goodman Guggenheim. Tartini claimed the piece was inspired by a dream in which he handed his violin to the Devil, who played for him the diabolical trill for which the works is known (you’ll hear it in the last of three movements). Guitarist John Williams will appear at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall on April 11th, performing all manner of magical works for guitar. WNYC presents him in Richard Harvey’s “Concerto antico,” Paul Daniel conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Harvey writes that the work, based on old song and dance forms from various parts of Europe, was intended to celebrate the ability of Williams and to stretch his “technique by being impossible to play, yet interesting enough to be a worthwhile challenge.” Needless to say, Williams rose to the challenges and overcame them with panache.
This evening, we hear it performed by Itzhak Perlman, who is ably supported by pianist Janet Goodman Guggenheim. Tartini claimed the piece was inspired by a dream in which he handed his violin to the Devil, who played for him the diabolical trill for which the works is known (you’ll hear it in the last of three movements). Guitarist John Williams will appear at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall on April 11th, performing all manner of magical works for guitar. WNYC presents him in Richard Harvey’s “Concerto antico,” Paul Daniel conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Harvey writes that the work, based on old song and dance forms from various parts of Europe, was intended to celebrate the ability of Williams and to stretch his “technique by being impossible to play, yet interesting enough to be a worthwhile challenge.” Needless to say, Williams rose to the challenges and overcame them with panache.
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