A Prodigous Pairing

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan discovered the violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter when she was barely a teenager; less than two years later she was making acclaimed recordings with her mentor Maestro and the Berlin Philharmonic. We'll mark Mutter's 43rd birthday by hearkening back to those prodigy years, in a remarkable recording of Bruch's fiery Violin Concerto No. 1.

Also tonight, Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 2, the great Finnish composer's most popular — yet cryptic — work for orchestra. The composer himself insisted he was inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy and the story of Don Juan, yet many have seen the work as a strident call to Finnish Nationalism. Mariss Jansons conducts the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mussorgsky's Exhibition

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Written for piano over a mere twenty day period, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" didn't see publication until five years after the composer's death. Since that time, it's been arranged and re-arranged for everything from Classical Orchestra (fourteen times) to Classic Rock Ensemble (Emerson, Lake and Palmer). We'll hear it as Mussorgsky originally imagined it, however, with pianist Alfred Brendel.

Also tonight, two very different birthdays to celebrate: that of monarch and part-time composer Henry VIII (in 1491) and Broadway musical icon Richard Rodgers (in 1902). We'll hear one of King Henry's pastoral songs, "Grene growith the holy" from the Isaak Ensemble; John Mauceri conducts the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Rodger's "Carousel Waltz."

Schumann's Dormant Quartet

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Schumann's Piano Quartet in C Minor lay dormant in a one-hundred and fifty year coma, until it was re-discovered in the 1930's. The Ensemble Classique Köln and pianist David Levine perform this early work, which shows the influences of Beethoven, Weber and Schubert — yet bears flashes of his ingenuous style to come.

Practically the only thing Rachmaninoff's "The Bells" and Edgar Allen Poe's poem have in common is the title, since he chose a Russian translation for his source which differs substantially from the original. Rachmaninoff brings this text to life literally with the sounds of various bells to signify the different stages of life. Robert Shaw leads the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with soloists Renee Fleming, Karl Dent, and Victor Ledbetter.

Happy Birthday, Maestro!

Monday, June 26, 2006

Today marks the birthday of formidable Italian conductor Claudio Abbado (in 1933); we'll hear the Maestro in action (via Mozart and Brahms) with two formidable orchestras as well, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Also tonight, Stravinsky's popular "Pulcinella" Suite. Largely inspired by the music of 18th century Italian composer Giovanni Pergolesi, Stravinsky elaborated on Pergolesi's melodies to produce a fresh piece — reminiscent of the original work — but undeniably modern (we'll hear Leonard Bernstein's spirited interpretation with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra).

The Vocal Double-Bass

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Though the double-bass is accustomed to being the underpinning of the orchestra, Jean Francaix explores the versatile nature of the instrument in his "Duo Baroque." Bassist Jeremy McCoy and harpist June Han bring out the unique vocal quality in this lively duet, full of color and personality.

"Concierto para una fiesta" (Concert for a Party) was Joaquin Rodrigo's final work for solo guitar and orchestra. Rodrigo recreates a festive atmosphere through vibrant dance-rhythms and a mirthful spirit, yet underscores the piece with tranquility and sadness. Guitarist David Russel highlights the contrasting nature of Rodrigo's music, joined by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra under Erich Kunzel.

Spotlight on: Tania Eshaghoff

Saturday, June 24, 2006

This evening, David is joined by pianist and composer Tania Eshaghoff to talk about Persian music. A native of Tehran, her music is distinguished by an elegant melting of traditional Persian culture with that of the modern western world.

Also, we celebrate the birthdays of two seminal artists in modern music, Harry Partch and Terry Riley. "Delusion of the Fury" was Partch’s last large work for the theater (we’ll hear the premiere recording tonight). Subtitled "A Ritual of Dream and Delusion," it incorporates a unique ensemble of instruments, all created by Partch himself. Terry Riley’s iconic "In C" opened the floodgates for the minimalist movement in music. Modern music specialists the Piano Circus ensemble offers their own interpretation of this highly fluid and improvisational work.

Mercurial Rumblings

Friday, June 23, 2006

Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his Second Piano Concerto as a tribute to his teenage son Maxim. Tonight, Yefim Bronfman brings his own flair to this colorful piece, full of booming chords and weighty melancholy, wrapped in an air of youthful joviality.

In contrast to Shostakovich’s mercurial rumblings, Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D is full of bold vitality and charm. This blissful paragon of Bach’s tendency to flourish his notes with whimsical dance tempos is delivered this evening by the Australian Chamber Orchestra under Richard Tognetti.

The Six at Seven

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Tonight's first hour features music by the members of "Les Six" (The Six). The brainchild of Jean Cocteau (and given its name by critic Henri Collet in 1920), "The Six" was France's answer to Russia's popular composer collective, "The Mighty Five."

Also, Murray Perahia brings his exceptional talents to Schumann's melancholy First Piano Sonata — we'll set the mood first however with Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's deeply resonant work for violins and orchestra, "Silentium" from his "Tabula Rasa."

Exquisite Fires

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Canadian composer Linda Bouchard writes music that is a blend of sun-lit melodies and turbulent trimmings. Such is the case with her animated and vibrant orchestral work, "Exquisite Fires," which we'll hear this evening from the National Arts Centre Orchestra under Trevor Pinnock.

Also featured tonight is Brandon Marsalis, who lends his saxaphone to Darius Mihaud's jazzy "Creation of the World"; Later on, music by Stravinsky and Brahms dominate our playlist. Bringing our evening to a close is Richard Strauss's exhilerating symphonic poem, "Death and Transfiguration"; Antal Dorati conducts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Botticelli Tryptich

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

A master of orchestral painting, Ottorino Respighi turned to another master for his "Botticelli Tryptich": Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. We'll hear this charming work tonight from the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra under JoAnn Falletta.

Although Ernest Chausson made his mark writing French mélodies, he also wrote some remarkable instrumental works. Violinist Régis Pasquier and Pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier lead an all-star French ensemble in Chausson's mercurial Concert for Violin, Piano and String Quartet. Also tonight: Beethoven's Eighth Symphony with the Orchestra of the 18th Century, and Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto with soloist Gary Graffman.

Gloriana

Monday, June 19, 2006

Tonight, we'll evoke Elizabethan England with the Courtly Dances from Benjamin Britten's coronation opera, "Gloriana" (written in honor of the second Elizabeth in 1953); William Boughton conducts the English String Orchestra.

Also featured: Ravel's delightful "Mother Goose" Suite (in its orchestral version), and Tchaikovsky's ever-popular Violin Concerto in D Major featuring soloist Leila Josefowicz.

Gorecki's Sorrowful Songs

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Henryk Gorecki drew words from three sources for his Symphony No. 3: a 15th Century religious poem, a message scrawled on the wall of a Gestapo prison in 1944, and finally a folksong about a mother searching for her son. We'll hear the recording that made this heart-rending work famous, featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta under conductor David Zinman.

The earlier part of the evening, however, brings a diversity of musical styles to the fore. We'll hear Henry Purcell's Chacony in G Minor with Musica Antiqua Köln; also, works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, and Japanese composer Somei Satoh.

All Things Stravinsky

Saturday, June 17, 2006

The spotlight is on Igor Stravinsky (born on this date in 1882), as Symphony Space's Isaiah Sheffer joins David to present highlights from last season's "Wall to Wall Stravinsky" concert.

We'll follow up our spotlight segment with a performance of Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D featuring Hilary Hahn and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Also featured tonight: works by Jean-Fery Rebel, Francis Poulenc, and another birthday celebrant, American composer Don Gillis. We'll hear his most popular work, the "Symphony for Fun"; David Alan Miller conducts the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

Piano Fantasy

Friday, June 16, 2006

Two major works for piano dominate tonight as Jos Van Immerseel multi-tasks his way (as soloist and conductor) through Mozart's Concerto No. 11 with Anima Eterna. Later on, pianist Barry Douglas makes an impression with Debussy's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra; Marek Janowski leads the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.

And not to disparage the string section, we'll fill out the latter hour with Schubert's String Quintet in C Major, featuring the Orpheus String Quartet and cellist Pieter Wispelwey. Music from the Baroque era compliments Schubert as we listen to toccatas by Bach, Frescobaldi and Giovanni Picchi.

Evening Overtures

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Two overtures top our playlist tonight as the Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra launches into the overture from "Lucio Silla" (by Mozart, of course). We'll also hear Beethoven's "Egmont" Overture, which turns 196 years old today; Roger Norrington conducts the London Classical Players.

Another anniversary to celebrate today is the birth of Edvard Grieg (in 1843). Norwegian through and through, Grieg wrote his popular "Holberg" Suite for the bicentenary of that dramatist's birth, taking his inspiration from the musical style during Holberg's lifetime. We'll hear this always charming work in its version for string orchestra; Neeme Järvi leads the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.

Unknown Albinoni

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Much of Baroque composer Tomaso Albinoni's work was lost in World War II bombings (even his most famous work, the Adagio in G Minor, is a reconstruction of a fragment). Famous as an opera composer in his time, it's the instrumental work that has stood the test of time. Tonight we'll hear Albinoni's Oboe Concerto in B-flat with soloist Hans de Vries; Bob Van Asperen leads Alma Musica Amsterdam.

Johann Sebastian Bach was such a fan of Albinoni's music that he used it to instruct his own students — when he wasn't writing music for that specific purpose, that is. Case in point: Bach wrote his six Trio Sonatas (originally for organ) to be used in his son Wilhelm's musical education. We'll hear a version of the Trio Sonata No. 4 in E Minor for recorder, violin and continuo as arranged and performed by Musica Pacifica.

Czech Suite

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Antonin Dvorák became famous for his "nationalistic" style, combining folk elements with classical forms. Tonight we'll spend some time with Dvorák's aptly titled "Czech Suite," as John Eliot Gardiner leads the North German Radio Symphony.

And speaking of classical forms — we'll hear another well-known Dvorák work that was originally rejected by its dedicatee, Joseph Joachim, for taking too many liberties with the traditional concerto structure (obviously that reaction wasn't shared by others). Thomas Zehetmair solos with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Violin Concerto in A Minor; Eliahu Inbal conducts.

Burnside talks Brits

Monday, June 12, 2006

BBC Radio personality and accomplished pianist Iain Burnside joins Margaret in the studio. Tonight's agenda: those under-appreciated British composers; also, we'll listen to some of Iain's own favorite recordings.

On the purely musical side, Franz Schubert's "Trout Quintet" dominates the evening with a performance by the Borodin Quartet and pianist Sviatoslav Richter. We'll also hear the famous song on which Schubert based his quintet earlier in the evening, in a version for cello and piano (Mischa Maisky and Daria Hovora, respectively).

Happy Birthday Richard Strauss

Sunday, June 11, 2006

"I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer!" — That's how the self-effacing Richard Strauss wryly described his own talents in 1947. Most would disagree, of course; tonight we'll celebrate the 142nd anniversary of his birth, as soprano Elizabeth Schwarzkopf sings the beautiful and poignant "Four Last Songs."

A little more vocal music is in store with an aria from Handel's "Berenice" as sung by Emma Kirkby; also, works by two French composers who wrote in different styles — but were deeply influenced by the same man (Gabriel Faure, that is). Lajos Lenczes brings his oboe to Charles Koechlin's Sonatina; pianist Vlado Perlemutter performs Ravel's Prelude No. 2.

Spotlight on: Caramoor

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Every year the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts serves up a wide range of exciting concerts in beautiful surroundings. Tonight, General Director Michael Barrett joins David in the studio; also, Caramoor composer-in-residence John Musto and soprano Georgia Jarman.

Music new and old fills out the evening as violinist Gregory Fulkerson performs solos from Philip Glass's opera "Einstein on the Beach"; we'll also hear the Salomon String Quartet in Haydn's Third String Quartet. Paul Hillier and Andrew Lawrence-King evoke medieval France with some Troubador songs, while the early music ensemble Sequentia continue the medieval theme with music by the German mystic, author, and composer Hildegard von Bingen.

Keeping it Simple

Friday, June 09, 2006

Benjamin Britten excelled at dressing up simple music in spectacular new "clothes" — while maintaining the clarity and form of the original. Case in point: he based his "Simple Symphony" on themes he wrote as a child (he was barely into his twenties when he put it all together). Tonight we'll hear this charming work in a flawless performance from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

We'll also hear from England's other great composer (who lived 300 years before Britten), Henry Purcell. Andrew Parrot leads the Taverner Players in Purcell's "Suite of Theater Music." Featured prominently tonight are several works for piano: Elena Riu, Stephen Hough, and Maurizio Pollini bring their respective talents to music by Federico Mompou, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, and Frederic Chopin.

Musical Offerings

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Always one who enjoyed puzzles and intricacies, Johann Sebastian Bach delighted in writing (or improvising) complex fugues based on simple themes. Such was the case when he was presented with a theme written by King Frederick the Great of Prussia in 1747; Bach improvised a fugue on the spot. A mere two weeks later, he published his "Musical Offering" — a series of chamber works all based on the King's original theme (and, of course, we'll hear it tonight).

Also, today marks the 196th anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth; we'll celebrate with his String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor as performed by the Lark Quartet. Earlier in the evening we'll hear another String Quartet offering, this one by Franz Joseph Haydn. The Mosaiques Quartet serves up Haydn's Quartet in D, followed by French composer Jean Francaix's musical commentary in the "Eleven Variations on a Theme By Haydn."

Call of the Mockingbird

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

If you enjoyed Mark O'Connor's recent visit to WNYC during the American Music Festival, then you'll love tonight's featured music by this gifted composer/violinist/fiddler. We'll hear his 'pastoral' piece for violin and orchestra, "Call of the Mockingbird," featuring O'Connor and the London Philharmonic.

Another work with pastoral themes on our playlist tonight is Edward MacDowell's "Woodland Sketches" — we'll hear a version orchestrated for winds as Frederick Fennell conducts the Dallas Wind Symphony. Today also marks the 39th birthday of Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen whose "Burning hands point towards the next millennium" (Berliner Morgenpost). We'll hear him in one of the showcases of the repertoire, Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor; Herbert Blomsted conducts the San Francisco Symphony.

Bach to Katchaturian

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Tonight, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Concentus Musicus Wien serve up a sampling from J.S. Bach's masterwork in the genre, the Brandenburg Concertos. Also, a birthday salute to Armenian composer Aram Katchaturian, born on this date in 1903. We'll hear a recording from 1963 of his "Gayenne Ballet Suit" with the Vienna Philharmonic; the composer himself conducts.

Pierre Boulez leads the New York Philharmonic in another selection written for the ballet, Paul Dukas' "La péri" — a 'dance poem in one scene' which turned out to be Dukas' last published work. Later on, a return to Baroque waters with Giovanni Battista Sammartini's Magnificat, featuring the Budapest Strings and Madrigal Choir; Ferenc Szekeres conducts.

Titanic Symphonist

Monday, June 05, 2006

Gustav Mahler excelled in two forms, which he often used to inform each other: the art song and the symphony. Tonight we'll listen to his first venture in the latter, as (Mahlerphile) Leonard Bernstein leads the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam in Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D, the "Titan."

Taking the edge off Mahler's symphonic rumblings is the Philharmonia Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas in Debussy's "Nocturnes," featuring the Ambrosian Singers. Sonatas by Schubert and Beethoven help round out our playlist; we'll also hear Brahms's delightful "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" with the St. Louis Symphony under Leonard Slatkin.

American Eclectic

Sunday, June 04, 2006

He's been Poet Laureate of the United States and a character on "The Simpsons." Tonight, Robert Pinsky brings his eclectic tastes to bear on American music with several favorites, including music by Illinois Jacquet, Charlie Parker, Tod Machover and Yehudi Wyner.

Also tonight, Marc Mellits' "Brick" — a work co-commissioned by WNYC and performed by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The New York Times described "Brick" as "a kind of mellifluous post-minimalism with Neo-Romantic trappings." You can read more about "Brick" at this link.

» Selections from Robert Pinsky's Playlist:

> "Round Midnight" — Illinois Jacquet
   from "Illinois Jacquet: The Blues, That's Me"
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Just Friends" — Charlie Parker
   from "Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes"
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Tipitina" — Professor Longhair
   "Professor Longhair Anthology"
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Too Young to go Steady" — John COltrane Quartet
   from the "Ballads" Album
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Stompin at the Savoy" — Ella Fitzgerald and the Oscar Peterson Trio
   from "Ella Fitzgerald at the Opera House"
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Dr. Stone's Aria" from "Valis" — Tod Machover
   With Terry Edwards, Emma Stephenson and Daniel Ciampolini
   Tod Machover, conductor
   (Bridge 9007)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "The Artist, I, II, III" from "On This Most Voluptuous Night" — Yehudi Wyner
   With Dominique Labelle, the Lydian String Quartet and Yehudi Wyner
   (New World Records 80549)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

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Bluegrass Roots of American Music

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Surely one of the most brilliant musical minds of his generation, fiddler/violinist/composer Mark O'Connor mixes styles to create his own unique brand of American music. Tonight, he joins David to talk about what makes his music sound American and provides examples, including his own chamber piece based on the life of Johnny Cash, "Poets and Prophets."

» Albums by Mark O'Connor featured on tonight's playlist:

> Crossing Bridges
   Appalachia Waltz Trio
   (OMAC 7)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Fanfare for the Volunteer
   Mark O'Connor, violin
   London Philharmonic Orchestra
   Steven Mercurio, conductor
   (Sony Classical 61679)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> The American Seasons
   Mark O'Connor, violin
   Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra
   Scott Yoo, conductor
   (Sony Classical 89660)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Midnight on the Water
   Mark O'Connor, violin
   (Live Performance)
   (Sony Classical 62862)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Double Violin Concerto
   Mark O'Connor and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violins
   Colorado Symphony
   Marin Alsop, conductor
   (OMAC 8)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Heartland - An Appalachian Anthology
   With Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall, Yo-Yo Ma,
   Bela Fleck, Sam Bush and Joshua Bell.
   (Sony Classical 89683)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

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The Sound of America

Friday, June 02, 2006

What music sounds distinctly American — Jazz? Ragtime? Cabaret? We'll hear from someone who has written in all of those genres, as Grammy award-winning composer William Bolcom and his wife, the singer Joan Morris, talk about what makes music sound American and share recordings of their personal favorites.

We'll also listen to Philip Glass's opera "Galileo Galilei," based on the life and writings of the revolutionary Rennaisance astronomer in a performance from the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

» More information about Philip Glass's "Galileo Galilei"

» Selections from the Bolcom and Morris Playlist:

> Marches, Waltzes and Rags (Scott Joplin)
   William Albright, piano
   (Music Masters 67102)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Stephen Foster Songs (Stephen Foster)
   Jan DeGaetani and Leslie Guinn, vocalists
   Gilbert Kalish, piano and melodeon
   (Nonesuch 79518)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> General William Booth Enters Into Heaven (Charles Ives)
   Helen Boatwright, soprano
   John Kirkpatrick, piano
   (CRI 675)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> Cabaret Songs (William Bolcom)
   Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano
   William Bolcom, piano
   (Centaur 2682)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> God Bless the Child
   Billie Holiday
   (Columbia 47031)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

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American Music, Eroica-Style

Thursday, June 01, 2006

They could "play the back of a cereal box and make it compelling" — that's how one admiring critic described the Eroica Trio. Tonight, two members of this ever-popular ensemble, Erika Nickrenz and Sara Sant'Ambrogio, join Margaret to share (and talk about) their own recordings of some great American music.

We'll also listen to Richard Einhorn's transcendent oratorio "Voices of Light" in a performance from the World Financial Center. Written to accompany the great silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc," it features Ensemble Sospeso, Anonymous 4, and the New Amsterdam Chorus, all led by conducter David Hattner.

» Selections from tonight's playlist with the Eroica Trio:

> Three Preludes (George Gershwin)
   Eroica Trio
   (EMI Classics 56482)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Poets and Prophets" (Mark O'Connor)
   (Private Live Performance Recording)
   » Purchase more Mark O'Connor at Amazon.com

> "Cafe Music" (Paul Schoenfield)
   Eroica Trio
   (EMI Classics 56482)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

> "Hoedown" from "Rodeo" (Aaron Copland)
   The London Symphony Orchestra
   Aaron Copland, conductor
   (Sony Classical 89041)
   » Purchase at Amazon.com

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