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September 2006

Spotlight On: Music Before 1800

Saturday, September 30, 2006

The series "Music Before 1800" opens next month with Pomerium in "The Seven Sorrows of our Lady: Music of the High and Late Renaissance." Pomerium's director, Alexander Blachly, joins David tonight to talk about the upcoming season at Corpus Christi Church.

Later on we'll hear two extremely contrasting Piano Concertos: one by Franz Joseph Haydn and one by Brooklynite composer Beth Anderson. Gidon Kremer and his KremerAta Baltica bring us Astor Piazzola's popular "Four Seasons in Buenos Aires"; we'll wrap things up with Beethoven as cellist Pieter Wispelwey and pianist Paul Komen perform the Second Cello Sonata — you can hear this fantastic cellist play Beethoven live next month at Alice Tully Hall.

» Pieter Wispelwey at Alice Tully Hall on October 15th

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


Le Romain

Friday, September 29, 2006

French Composer Jacques Hotteterre (born on this date in 1674) spent his formative years studying in Rome (hence the nickname "La Romain"). Coming from a long line of woodwind makers, he also helped develop the flute and oboe. We'll give a nod with some of his songs and works for the flute.

Also, the premiere recording of Nino Rota's Clarinet Trio and contrasting versions of Tobias Picker's "Old and Lost Rivers." We'll preview Erich Korngold's "Die tote Stadt" (The Dead City), which makes its premiere at the New York City Opera next month; Pierre Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra give a preview of their own upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall on October 5th with "La Mer."

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


Musicians on Call - Last Night

Thursday, September 28, 2006

We'll get the show off to a spritely start with Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 6 with the London Symphony Orchestra. And don't forget that this is the last night to enter our Beethoven Festival Musicians On Call contest — winners receive home visits (and performances!) by members of the LSO.

Beethoven comes our way with one of the delightfully adventurous Cello Sonatas; we'll hear No. 5 with Steven and Carol Honigberg. Lorin Maazel leads the Bavarian Radio Symphony in Stravinsky's fascinating "A Soldier's Tale" in our second hour, followed by some Satie, Handel, and — you guessed it, Beethoven (a sprinkling at least). Violinist Dora Schwarzberg wraps it up with Robert Schumann's Second Violin Sonata; Martha Argerich is the pianist.

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


That Captivating Carmen

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

It's been co-opted by everyone from Cecil B. DeMille to MTV; George Bizet's "Carmen" is undoubtedly one of the most popular operas of all time (even though the composer never lived to see its success). The New York City Opera is presenting its version of the timeless classic next Tuesday; tonight we'll hear Bizet's "Carmen Suite" based on themes from the opera.

Herbert von Karajan leads the spectacular Vienna Philharmonic in Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (featuring Leopold Wlach); on the other end of the spectrum is Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Winds with pianist Misha Dichter, who celebrates a birthday today. We'll also enjoy a rarely-heard delight from French composer Eduard Lalo, as Matt Haimovitz performs the Cello Concerto in D Minor; James Levine conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

» Visit the New York City Opera Online

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


Gershwin in Paris

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Today marks the 108th anniversary of George Gershwin's birth (in Brooklyn, if you didn't know). From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, Hollywood and even opera - Gershwin's voice is still with us on a daily basis today. We'll mark the occasion with the piece he wrote during his sojourn in France, "An American in Paris."

Also making its debut on this day (in 1957) was Bernstein's "West Side Story" — we'll hear the Symphonic Dances with the New York Philharmonic (featuring the composer at the helm). On the slightly more "classical" side, we have Ernest Chausson's substantial Concert for Violin, Piano and String Quartet; music by Saint-Saëns, Beethoven and Britten is featured in our last hour.

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


Birthday de deux

Monday, September 25, 2006

Two great (but completely different) composers were born on this date: Jean-Philippe Rameau in 1683 and Dmitri Shostakovich in 1906. We'll celebrate with Rameau's "La Laborde" (featuring violinist Isaac Stern) and Shostakovich's rarely-heard Chamber Symphony in C Minor (Dennis Russell Davies leads the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra).

A fiery item on the menu tonight is Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra from Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony; pianist Pamela Ross keeps the mood going with Robert Schumann's musical postcard, "Carnival Jest from Vienna." We'll also hear a performance of Jean Sibelius's Third Symphony, which premiered in Helsinki on this day in 1907.

Are you New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your fanatical devotion to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven qualifies you as New York's Biggest Beethoven Fan, and win a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven!

» Beethoven Festival Biggest Fan Contest


Song of the South

Sunday, September 24, 2006

We'll spend a major portion of the evening with music from South America: dances and sonatas are heard from Mexican composers Joaquín Heras, Arturo Márquez and Carlos Chávez; the London Symphony Orchestra plays (Argentinian-born) Manuel De Falla's ever-popular "Ritual Fire Dance."

Later on, it's piano music by Henry Cowell; also, Lou Harrison's "Seven Pastorales" for Orchestra with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists bring the evening to a close with Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life).

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra!

» Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


Spotlight On: St. Ignatius Loyola

Saturday, September 23, 2006

The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola's "Sacred Music in a Sacred Space" is in its eighteenth season. Tonight David talks with founder and Music Director Kent Tritle about the ambitious concert series of sacred music.

Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra bring us Steve Reich's "The Four Sections"; we'll also hear a really interesting piece for piano called "The King of France" by Scottish-born composer Judith Weir. In the standards category, we have music by Mozart; also, the Purcell Quartet perform Archangelo Corelli's Trio Sonata in D.

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra!

» Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


Oh that Cello!

Friday, September 22, 2006

Tonight we'll hear a cluster of cello works, including Edvard Grieg's Intermezzo in A minor with Truls Mork and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Cellist Mork also shines in Haydn's Concerto in D; pairing the lovely instrument with another one is Lou Harrison in his Suite for Cello and Harp.

Folk Songs by Alan Hovhaness, Benjamin Britten and Samuel Barber dominate the latter hour; we'll enjoy a brief return to the cello with Ofra Harnoy in Bruch's Adagio on Celtic Themes. The Chicago Chamber Musicians bring the evening to a pleasant close with Joseph Cantaloube's "Rustiques."

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra!

» Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


Ballet mécanique

Thursday, September 21, 2006

George Antheil originally wrote his "Ballet mécanique" as the soundtrack for a film of the same name in 1924. The music, however, turned out to be twice as long as the film — and rather problematic to perform, as it incorporated a siren, three airplane propellors, and sixteen synchronized player pianos. We'll hear it in our latter hour with the New Palais Royale Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble.

Also tonight, pianist Robert Taub in Beethoven's "Pathetique" sonata (Taub discusses Beethoven's sonatas in the studio on October 12th as part of WNYC's upcoming Beethoven Festival). We'll celebrate the birthday of American composer Michael Torke with his orchestral work "Purple"; earlier in the evening we'll hear the legendary husband and wife team of Robert and Gaby Casadesus in Gabriel Fauré's "Dolly Suite."

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra!

» Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


A Goodbye

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

A personal note from Margaret Juntwait:

Something is happening that I never thought would happen. For fifteen years I’ve been a happy employee of WNYC radio, but now I’m leaving. I came here in 1991 because I wanted to work somewhere I could be proud of. But also because WNYC's audience feels like people I know and want to know more — smart, curious, fun-loving New Yorkers! And I felt you there every time I opened the microphone, I really did.

I was lucky enough to be named the host of the Metropolitan Opera matinee broadcasts a couple of years ago, and now they'd like me to help them full time in their increased (and very exciting) media presentations as their voice. Well, how many times do you get the chance of moving from a job you love to a job you love? But as I say, it’s been fifteen years so I’m going to take the step.

Classical music radio is a small community, so don’t be surprised to hear from me on WNYC again some day. But until then, thank you friends, for the time we shared on public radio. And keep the dial on WNYC! OK? Ok. Love ya.

— Margaret


The Handy Harmonica

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The Harmonica found its niche in Blues and Folk music, but it's been put to marvelous use in classical music as well. Tonight we'll hear an example with Heitor Villa-Lobos' Harmonica Concerto in A Minor. Soloist John Sebastian (for whom Villa-Lobos wrote the piece)is joined by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart; Hans Schwieger conducts.

As we point our way to WNYC's upcoming Beethoven Festival, we'll enjoy the Emerson String Quartet in Beethoven's Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, the "Serioso" quartet. We'll spend the latter hour with Gustav Mahler's substantial Symphony No. 7, the "Song of the Night," which had its premiere in 1908 on this date; Pierre Boulez leads the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra in a thrilling performance.

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra! » Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


Anna Moffo — a Tribute

Monday, September 18, 2006

The Metropolitan Opera Guild presents a tribute to the late soprano Anna Moffo this Wednesday, hosted by Sherrill Milnes and featuring appearances by special guests. We'll hold our own tribute tonight as we hear this beloved artist in Villa-Lobos's "Bachianas brasileiras No. 5" and Joseph Cantaloube's "Songs of Auverne."

Also tonight, a young Daniel Barenboim takes on Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25; Otto Klemperer leads the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Later in the evening, it's non-operatic music by operatic composers, as Antonio Janigro conducts I Solisti Zagreb in Rossini's Sonata in E flat, followed by Wagner's musical birthday present to his wife Cosima, the "Siegfried Idyll."

» More on the Met Guild's Anna Moffo Tribute

Do you know a classical music fan who can't attend concerts?

Tell us in 250 words or less why your homebound, music-loving friend or family member deserves a visit and house concert from two members of the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra! » Beethoven Festival Musicians on Call Contest


Red Priest

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Performances by British group Red Priest are like no other early-music ensemble you've ever heard; formed in 1997 and named for the original "red priest" — Antonio Vivaldi (who had flaming red hair) — they emphasize the sheer joy and entertainment of performance instead of bogging themselves down in "historical accuracies." The result is electrifying, as we'll hear tonight in Henry Purcell's Suite from "The Fairy Queen."

Some other Baroque delicacies on tonight's show include Georg Muffat's Chaconne in G Minor with Musica Antiqua Köln; Susan Rotholz and Kenneth Cooper perform J.S. Bach's Flute Sonata in E Minor. Bringing us up to the 20th century is Leonard Slatkin and the Philharmonia Orchestra in Ralph Vaughan Williams's Symphony No. 5; we'll also hear works from Maurice Ravel and Dick Hyman.


Spotlight On: Bargemusic

Saturday, September 16, 2006

The Barge in "Bargemusic" has come a long way since the old days when it was toting sacks of coffee across New York Harbor. Now it's home to a year-round series of world-class concerts at the Fulton Ferry Landing. Tonight, David is joined by President and Executive Director (not to mention violinist) Mark Peskanov to talk about Bargemusic's upcoming concerts.

We'll spend the rest of the evening marking the anniversary of the birth of the great Nadia Boulanger in 1887. As a mentor and teacher, her influence reached further than anyone else in music history; the list of her students reads like a "who's who of 20th-century music." We'll hear music by some of those students tonight, including Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, Philip Glass and Ned Rorem. Finally, a glimpse of Boulanger in a different role, as she conducts the New York Philharmonic in Faure's beautiful "Requiem."


Old New Music

Friday, September 15, 2006

The turn of the 17th century saw the "nuove musiche" (new music) movement in Europe — brought about not by performers or composers, but a group of artists, scholars and philosophers who reacted against the dense polyphony in vogue at the time. The result was a simpler, more personal style that changed the way composers thought about (and wrote) music. Tonight we'll hear a sprinkling of selections from these composers, courtesy of Baroque specialist Rolf Lislevand.

Moving to more recent times, we'll hear Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concerto in the Gallant Way" for Cello and Orchestra; James Judd leads the New Zealand Symphony in Ralph Vaughan Williams' picturesque "In the Fen Country." Music by Arnold Bax and Franz Berwald follows; wrapping things up is pianist Andras Schiff with Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major.


Chaplin á la Milhaud

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Darius Milhaud originally envisioned his "Le Boeuf sur le toit" (The Ox on the Roof) as a score to one of Charlie Chaplin's films. Instead, Milhaud's friend Jean Cocteau turned it into a surrealist ballet (while retaining the zanyness of Chaplin). Tonight we'll hear the composer's arrangement for violin and piano (which he called the "Cinéma-Fantaisie") from Gidon Kremer and Oleg Maisenberg, respectively.

We'll also mark the anniversary of four important premieres tonight: William Christie leads Les Arts Florissants in a snippet from Handel's "Messiah" (1741); Samuel Barber's Third Essay for Orchestra (1978) is heard from the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. Later in the evening, the Bamberg Symphony brings us Anton Bruckner's "Missa Solemnis" (1854), followed by Richard Danielpour's Cello Concerto (1994) with its dedicatee, Yo-Yo Ma. And for one final anniversary, a birthday nod to Joseph Haydn's kid brother (and fellow composer) Johann Michael; Matthias Bamert leads the London Mozart Players in the Symphony in E-flat.


Opening Night at the Philharmonic

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Don't miss our "Live from Lincoln Center" broadcast of the New York Philharmonic's opening night concert at 8:00 p.m., featuring an all Beethoven/Mozart program with pianists Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman. We'll get you in the mood beforehand, with commentary from PBS Host Fred Child and other musical selections from the artists on tonight's program.

We'll hear some great recordings from the NY Phil as well, including Mozart's Symphony No. 29 under Erich Leinsdorf; in a nod to this season's programming, pianist Helen Huang joins Kurt Masur for Shostakovich's Second Piano Concerto. After the concert, we'll wind down with violinist Itzhak Perlman (who solos with the Phil tomorrow night) in Max Bruch's Second Violin Concerto.


Modernist Mozart

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Tonight, Mozart's last — and most astonishing — symphony, the "Jupiter" (Symphony No. 41). Never performed during the composer's lifetime, it ends with a fugue of breathtaking complexity; sounding almost modern to the ear with its passing-tone harmonies (we'll hear an equally breathtaking performance from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra).

Also, Robert Schumann's song cycle "Frauenliebe und leben" (Woman's Love and Life), which was inspired by his attempts to marry Clara Wieck; unable to get her father's permission (required in those days), Schumann had to go to court to get special permission. We'll hear mezzo Anne Sofie von Otter with pianist Bengt Forsberg in this delightful work — marking the anniversary of Schumann's marriage to Clara Wieck (the day before her 21rst birthday).


Musicians for Harmony

Monday, September 11, 2006

We honor the memory of September 11th tonight with a broadcast of the Musicians for Harmony’s Fifth Anniversary Concert, live from Merkin Hall. Founded to promote peace and cultural exchange through music, Musicians for Harmony's program includes pianist Leon Fleisher and members of the Guarneri and Orion String Quartets. Also, the World Premiere of Mark O'Connor's "Harmony" for violin and string orchestra.

We'll preview the concert beforehand with Leon Fleisher's elegant recording of J.S. Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring"; also, Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer join Mark O'Connor for his "Caprice for Three." Richard Stolzman and the Tokyo String Quartet dominate the later hour with Johannes Brahms' Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B Minor, and we'll offer a birthday tribute to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, born 71 years ago today.

» More on the Musicians for Harmony Concert at Merkin Hall


The Controversial Tonalist

Sunday, September 10, 2006

George Rochberg made his name as a serialist in the manner of Schoenberg, but after the death of his son in 1963 he abandoned atonal music, saying it was inadequate to express his sorrow. Instead, he began composing tonal works — something considered rather controversial for a serious composer in the 1970's. Tonight we'll hear the "Transcendental Variations," based on a movement from his Third String Quartet.

Also tonight, Mark O'Connor's "Appalachia Waltz" (you can hear a premiere of his this Monday during WNYC's live broadcast of the Musicians for Harmony concert). Later on we'll hear Morten Lauridsen's exploration of mystic spiritualism in his "Lux Aeterna," performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Sinfonia. Bringing the evening to a peaceful close is cellist Pieter Wispelwey in J.S. Bach's Suite for Solo Cello No. 5, followed by the Hilliard Ensemble in Arvo Pärt's beautiful "Da pacem Domine."


Last Night at the Proms

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Tonight, WNYC broadcasts the last night at the BBC Proms from London's Royal Albert Hall. Billed as the world's largest and best-known classical music festival, the program features superstar guests baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and violinist Viktoria Mullova.

Mark Elder conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra (with the BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC Singers) in this "wacky and wild" program — including operatic selections such as the "Toreador Song" from Bizet's "Carmen" and "No Sleep, No Rest" from Borodin's "Prince Igor." Also, Prokofiev's second Violin Concerto and the ever-popular "Pomp and Circumstance" March No.1 by Sir Edward Elgar.


Dvořák at 165

Friday, September 08, 2006

Antonín Dvořák folded Czech folk tunes into his symphonic and chamber music to great success; so much so that he was brought to America (New York, in fact) to do for American music what he did for Czech music. On the 165th anniversary of the composer's birth, we'll hear some of his "American" works, as well as some other popular pieces.

Later tonight, Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite for Organ, Harpsichord and Orchestra — followed by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos' tribute to Bach, the "Bachianas Brazilieras" No. 2. Leontyne Price performs Samuel Barber songs (with the composer at the piano); we'll also hear a bit from the Silk Road Ensemble, who appear at Carnegie Hall for "Tradition and Innovation: A Festival Weekend," beginning September 16th.

» The Silk Road Ensemble at Carnegie Hall


Shostakovich's Elegy

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Dmitri Shostakovich's "Elegy for String Quartet" in C Minor was composed in all of three days. The continuous five movements quote themes from his previous compositions (in an almost chronological order — echoing important events from his life). For those of you acquainted with Shostakovich's music, you'll recognize music from his First, Fifth, Tenth and Eleventh Symphonies, as well as excerpts from the Second Piano Trio, The First Cello Concerto and a scene from his opera "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk."

We'll hear some contemporary and light-hearted works tonight, as well as eminent works from the canon. Virtuoso violinist/fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor performs his "Cricket Dance"; we'll also hear Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" Overture — which provided a stunning debut role for Ethel Merman when she sang "I Got Rhythm" (in tonight's rendition we'll hear the original orchestrations as performed by The New Princess Theater Orchestra). And finally, throughout the evening we'll celebrate the birthday of an elegant pianist whose astonishing technique never overburdens the music he plays. Tonight, Jean Yves Thibaudet performs works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.


The Golden Cockerel

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's fairy-tale opera "The Golden Cockerel" found its niche as an "opera-ballet" in the hands of the impresario Diaghilev, even though it was originally intended to expose the ineptness of the Czarist regime (which banned the work from the stage until after the composer's death). Tonight we'll hear Rimsky-Korsakov's popular orchestral suite from the opera; Roger Desormiere leads the National Orchestra of France.

And speaking of Diaghilev (and orchestral suites), we'll hear from one of his first collaborations with Igor Stravinsky, the "Firebird," in its second version as an orchestral suite (Paavo Järvi conducts the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra). Also tonight, Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" — written while the composer was studying with Ravel and interested in creating vivid orchestral colors; Vaughan Williams creates his colors entirely through the use of a string orchestra divided up into various "choirs".


Life's a Beach

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Today marks the anniversary of Amy Marcy Cheney Beach's birth in 1867. A remarkable figure in classical music, she was the first female American composer to achieve success and fame (she was a legendary child prodigy to boot). We'll hear one of her chamber works tonight, the Piano Trio, Op. 150.

Today also marks the birthday of Johann Christian Bach (in 1735, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian). The only Bach to write opera, he was a friend and a great influence on Mozart. Sir Neville Marriner conducts the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields in J.C.'s Symphony No. 4; we'll also hear from Mozart with the overture to "The Abduction from the Seraglio." Later in the evening, the Albert Schweitzer Quintet performs Czech composer Antonin Reicha's Wind Quintet in C Minor; The Juilliard String Quartet take on Brahms with his Third String Quartet, and pianist Rudolf Firkusny brings his customary flair to Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto (with Walter Susskind and the Philharmonia Orchestra).


A Trio of Birthdays

Monday, September 04, 2006

We've got three notable birthdays to celebrate tonight: French composer Darius Milhaud, Austrian Symphonist Anton Bruckner, and German Bass René Pape. Also, an honorary birthday: Kurt Weill's "Three Penny Opera" — "born" on this date in 1928.

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra serves up a selection from Milhaud's "Saudades do Brasil"; we'll also hear the piano duo of Katia and Marielle Labeque in the composer's "Scaramouche." The glorious voice of René Pape illuminates Sarastro's aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute"; Claudio Abbado leads the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. For our Bruckner salute, we'll delve into his early "student" symphony, which has the distinguished number "00" next to its name (Riccardo Chailly conducts the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin).


Tempus Fugit

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Tonight, we'll enjoy some "time" inspired works to help the evening hours pass quickly. Nikolaus Harnencourt leads the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam in Haydn's "Clock" Symphony, which gets its name from the pendulum-like theme in the second movement.

We couldn't get through the evening without probably the most famous piece of time music, Leroy Anderson's "Syncopated Clock." Also, music from the 16th century in William Byrd's "The Passing Measures" and John Dowland's "Stay Time." Pianist Neely Bruce provides excerpts from William Duckworth's 1979 experiment in musical time manipulation, the "Time Curve" Preludes.


Spotlight on: Roulette

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Experimental music venue Roulette has been presenting new works in multiple genres for 23 years. Tonight, David is joined by Roulette producer Jim Staley for a preview of the Fall 2006 season, which begins later this month.

Later on, the Camerata Contemporary Chamber Group presents works by Erik Satie; we'll also hear Anton Webern's Five Movements for Orchestra (Pierre Boulez conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra). Wrapping things up is La Real Camera and guest J.M. Moreno with Boccherini's Guitar Quintet No. 4 (Fandango).

» learn more about Roulette's upcoming season.


Sir William's Virgins

Friday, September 01, 2006

When Sir William Walton was asked to provide music for the 1940 ballet "The Wise Virgins," he took the opportunity to stitch together a series of Bach Cantatas in grand form. Ballet aside, the piece delightfully retains the spirit of Bach's music — albeit with a full modern orchestra (we'll hear it tonight from the Concert Arts Orchestra under Robert Irving).

Yo-Yo Ma pays tribute to 18th century cello master Luigi Boccherini with the Concerto No. 3 in D; Ton Koopman conducts the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra. We'll also spend time with two pieces for strings: members of the Vienna Philharmonic perform Beethoven's String Quartet No. 16; after that we'll hear Stravinsky's Concerto in D with members of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Finally, the Wind section gets its due with Eric Ewazen's "Roaring Fork" Wind Quintet from the Borealis Winds.