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February 2007

Mark Morris: Comedy/Novelty

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Mark Morris takes a break from his day job as a choreographer to guest host Evening Music. Each night he plays a different genre, spins his favorite cd’s and tells us what he loves about them. Tonight, Mark explores his favorite comedy and novelty songs, from Flanders and Swann to Ruth Draper and back (via P.D.Q. Bach!).


Mark Morris: Music of India

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Mark Morris takes a break from his day job as a choreographer to guest host Evening Music. Each night he plays a different genre, spins his favorite cd’s and tells us what he loves about them. Tonight, Music of India — including the legendary M.S. Subbulakshmi, Bombay sisters and others.


Mark Morris: West Coast Composers

Monday, February 26, 2007

Mark Morris takes a break from his day job as a choreographer to guest host Evening Music. Each night he plays a different genre, spins his favorite cd’s and tells us what he loves about them. Tonight, Mark features West Coast Composers.


The Marquis of Aranjuez

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Tonight we'll hear Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez," his delightful musical depiction of the gardens of King Philip II in 16th century Spain. The work proved so popular that the modern city of Aranjuez erected a monument in Rodrigo's honor, and Rodrigo himself was given the title "Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez" by King Juan Carlos in 1991.

Violinist Jaime Laredo takes on Schubert's Grand duo Violin Sonata with pianist Stephanie Brown in our second hour — listeners can catch the real thing at Carnegie Hall this thursday. Winding up tonight's program is Philip Glass's "Orphée" Suite for piano, based on his 1993 opera (which in turn is based on Cocteau's 1949 film of the same name).


Spotlight on: Vijay Iyer

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer joins David in the studio to talk about his new work that receives its premiere performance next month with the American Composers Orchestra. we'll also hear a preview of the New World Symphony's upcoming Carnegie Hall concert with Heitor Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasilieras" No. 7. Today marks the anniversary of composer Michel Legrande's birth in 1932; later in the evening, we'll offer a tribute with one of his classics "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg."


Baroque Rock Star

Friday, February 23, 2007

Tonight we'll celebrate the birth of George Frederick Handel, whose fame and fortune rivaled that of any living rock star. Also, David continues our week of Oscar-related features with two of this year's nominees for best music soundtrack, "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Notes on a Scandal."

Today is also the birthday of English composer John Blow (1649-1708), who was the teacher of the great Henry Purcell. Blow outlived his famous student; we'll hear his "Ode on the Death of Mr. Henry Purcell." Also featured tonight is one of Leonard Bernstein's early successes, the ballet "Fancy Free" — and we'll continue to point our way toward the Oscars with music by the "Grandfather of Film Music," David Raksin.


Flute Moon

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Composer Bright Sheng drew inspiration for his "Flute Moon" from the work of the 13th-century Chinese composer Jiang Kui, whose song to the moon laments China's former prosperity (before foreign invaders took over the land). We'll hear it tonight from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra under conductor Lan Shui; Sharon Bezaly is the flutist.

Also tonight, Herbert Howells' serene "Pastoral Symphony" — offset by Liszt's fiery first Hungarian Rhapsody from pianist Leslie Howard. Alice Giles performs Five Preludes for Harp by the master composer for that instrument, Carlos Salzedo, and we'll also hear "The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote" by Finnish composer Aulis Sallinen. Finally, fate knocks famously on the door in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony; we'll enjoy a classic recording featuring the Columbia Symphony Orchestra under Bruno Walter.


Chiaroscuro

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

"Chiaroscuro" (Italian for "lightdark") is a term that originated with Rennaisance drawings and extended throughout the world of art, including music. When composer John Corigliano wrote a piece by the same name in 1997, he created bold contrasts in his music by utilizing two pianos — tuned one half step apart from each other. We'll hear it in our second hour tonight from pianists Andrew Russo and Steven Heyman.

In our first hour, we'll hear the first part of Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" (a live improvisation recorded in 1975); also, "Sleeping Beauty" — by Respighi, not Tchaikovsky. Later this week, violinist Sergey Khachatryan begins a three-concert appearance with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher; we'll hear his version of Shostakovich's First Violin Concerto. Some Catalan Folksongs for guitar are heard later in the show; wrapping things up is Ned Rorem's song cycle to texts by W. H. Auden (born on this date in 1907).


English Composer Hour

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

We'll start the night off listening to music by English composers from Walton to Britten. Also, new recordings of Luciano Berio's "Rendering" and Richard Rodney Barrett's "Songs Before Sleep."

Pianist Dejan Lazic performs Chopin (and Beethoven) at the Walter Reade Theater on Sunday. We'll give a preview tonight with Lazic's take on one of Chopin's Etudes. Music by Steve Reich is also heard, in the "Variations for Wind, Strings, and Keyboard" from members of the San Francisco Orchestra. Bringing the hours to a close is a haunting piece by one of Latvia's major composers, Peteris Vasks, called "Messages."


Spanish Nights

Monday, February 19, 2007

Luigi Boccherini, born on this date in 1743, came from a long line of prominent Italian musicians. He was also the greatest cellist of his age, spending a great deal of his performing (and composing) life in Spain. Tonight we'll hear one of his many homages to his adopted homeland, "The Night Music of Madrid."

Some rarities are in store tonight, including Oliver Knussen's Horn Concerto, and Harold Shapero's "Nine-Minute Overture" — which, like Chopin's Minute Waltz, never quite clocks in on the dot. Later in the evening, we'll treat ourselves to one of John Adam's wonderful works for orchestra, "Naive and Sentimental Music." We'll hear the group that premiered it on this date eight years ago, the Los Angeles Philharmonic.


Spotlight on: Brandon Ross

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Guitarist Brandon Ross joins David tonight to talk about his many musical collaborations and what he has in store for the future. Later on, we'll hear a different take on the guitar with Alan Hovhaness' "Guitar Concert"; also, Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata in G minor and French songs from the Renaissance.


American Tapestry

Friday, February 16, 2007

American composer Alec Wilder's work draws equally from American jazz and popular song and from Western classical tradition. Known for his wit and panache, Wilder spent the last 40 years of his life at the Algonquin Hotel, hobnobbing with a stableful of famous friends - Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett among them. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth, we'll begin the evening's music with an eclectic selection of Wilder's popular songs and classical works. Our night of music continues with Stravinsky's beloved "Pulcinella" Suite, John Corigliano's orchestral piece "Voyage," and the Partita No. 3 in A minor of J. S. Bach. We'll also hear Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Prelude to Rhosymedre," as well as Tomasso Albinoni's "Adagio for Strings in G major." The program concludes with "The Rolling Wave," a traditional Celtic song arranged for string and dulcimer ensemble.


Angels and Visitations

Thursday, February 15, 2007

The best known Finnish composer since Sibelius, Einojuhani Rautavaara writes his music in a variety of styles, often imbueing it with a mystical element. Such is the case with tonight's quasi-religious rhapsody for orchestra, "Angels and Visitations" (Leif Segerstam leads the Helsinki Symphony Orchestra).

Music from the sixteenth century is heard in dances by Michael Praetorius, who was born on this date 436 years ago. Later in the evening, Roger Norrington conducts the London Classical Players in Johannes Brahms's Symphony No. 4; we'll also hear from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Stephen Albert, as Yo-Yo Ma performs his Cello Concerto with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.


November Woods

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Tonight we'll spend some time with English composer Sir Arnold Bax's orchestral tone poem "November Woods." Continuing with the outdoors theme, pianist Ralf Gothoni performs Jean Sibelius's Five Piece, Op. 75 — also known as "The Trees."

We'll take a trip to Baroque era France with a gamba suite by Marin Marais, contrasted by music with French titles from two modern American composers: Frederick Rzewski's "Les Moutons de Panurge" and Morton Lauridsen's "Les chansons des roses." Reflecting our earlier rustic theme is Einojuhani Rautavaara's Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, the "Cantus Arcticus"; Leif Segerstam leads the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.


Color Music

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Composer Michael Torke has been called "The Ravel of his generation" for his mastery of the orchestra. A synesthete, Torke has also explored colors through his music; we'll hear an example tonight from the Baltimore Symphony in his vividly scored "Bright Blue Music."

Earlier in the evening, we'll tip the hat to pianist (and composer) Leopold Godowsky — who was born on this date in 1870. Konstantin Scherbakov performs Godowsky's "Airs of the Eighteenth Century"; afterwards we'll hear from Godowsky himself, performing a Chopin's Scherzo in typical fleet-fingered fashion. Some other interesting works tonight include Eric Ewazen's "Classical" Concerto for Tenor Sax and the "Celestial Fantasy" by Alan Hovhaness; wrapping things up is another sky-bound work, Olivier Messiaen's "Colors of the Celestial City."


Musical Reflections

Monday, February 12, 2007

Tonight we'll listen to a recent release of British composer Richard Rodney Bennett's "Reflections on a Sixteenth Century Tune," featuring Richard Hickox and the Philharmonia Orchesta. Also, music by Terry Riley with the third movement of his "Requiem for Adam."

Peter Schickele explores the music of Debussy tomorrow at Avery Fisher Hall; we'll do a little exploring of our own with one of the composers less-heard works, the Cello Sonata in D Minor. Later on, we'll offer a selection by violinist Hilary Hahn, who appears with the Orchestra of St. Lukes at Carnegie Hall on Thursday. Rounding out the evening is yet another Cello Sonata, this one by Andre Previn. The composer performs at the piano, joined by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.


Byzantine Influences

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The evening begins with Greek composer and pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos' haunting work for cello and piano, "Trois morceaux apres des hymnes byzantines." The score draws inspiration from traditional Greek Orthodox hymns for the Easter liturgy (also known as "Passion Week"). Tsabropoulos leads dual careers in the jazz and classical spheres, and the work is a testament to his versatility.

Another exciting piece this evening is Julia Wolfe's "Four Marys," performed by the the inimitable contemporary quartet Ethel. Ethel performs at Symphony Space on Thursday, February 15 at 8:00 PM. In addition, tonight we'll also hear works by John Tavener, Dietrich Buxtehude and Marin Marais.


Spotlight on: Clara Rockmore

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Tonight, David talks with award-winning broadcaster Robert Sherman about the woman generally considered to be the world's most accomplished performer of the theremin (one of the earliest fully electronic musical instruments, which requires no physical touch during performance).

Also on the program tonight: lots of music by composers you may not have heard, including Leo Smit, Stefania de Kenessey, Arturo Marquez and Evan Ziporyn (who is also one of the founding members of the adventurous Bang on a Can ensemble). Rounding out the evening are works by Bohuslav Martinu and Manuel de Falla.


Eugene Onegin

Friday, February 09, 2007

Tonight we'll hear Prokofiev's "Eugene Onegin" Polka and Mazurka. Immediately following, we'll talk to George Preston as he brings us a brief live report from the Metropolitan Opera's season premiere of a different "Eugene Onegin" — the one by Tchiakovsky — which depicts the love between Tatiana, a young girl from the countryside, and Eugene Onegin, a misguided aristocrat.

Later on, Hilary Hahn solos in Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D, with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under Sir Neville Marriner. Hahn performs with the Orchestra of St. Luke's at Carnegie Hall on February 15 at 8:00 PM. We'll also hear works by less familiar composers such as Valerie Coleman, Richard Winslow and Gautier de Coincy, as well as pieces by Mozart and Stravinsky.


Love, de Falla Style

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Even though it's a certified classic these days, Manuel De Falla's "El amor brujo" (Love the Magician) had a rocky start. Originally written as a "gypsy piece" for dancers, actors, and small orchestra, it wasn't until ten years after the original version failed that de Falla turned it into a full-scale ballet — and finally found success. We'll hear it tonight in yet another version, as a suite for piano.

As the Oscars approach, we'll be highlighting some film music over the next several days. Tonight, it's selections from John Corigliano's score to "The Red Violin," featuring violinist Joshua Bell. Also, a couple of short selections by this year's honorary Oscar winner, composer Ennio Morricone. Finishing out the evening is Philip Glass's "Heroes" Symphony, in a recent release featuring Marin Alsop and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.


Goldmark in Italy

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Hungarian composer Karl Goldmark found fame with his opera "The Queen of Sheba," but he also excelled in the concert overture genre that was popular in the 19th century. We'll hear a colorful example tonight with his "In Italy" overture, courtesy of the Budapest Philharmonic.

Also, pianist Yoshiko Okada performs Erik Satie's three "Gnossiennes" — a term Satie invented himself, taking the greek word for "knowledge" as his cue (and adding a spiritual element). Spicing things up in the latter hours is conductor Mariss Jansons and the Philadelphia Orchestra in Dmitri Shostakovich's "Jazz Suite" No. 1.


Death Valley Days

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

We'll try to generate a little much-needed heat tonight with Ferde Grofe's "Death Valley" suite. Also, Harmonica virtuoso John Sebastian brings his whimsical instrument to Heitor Villa-Lobos's fascinating Concerto for Harmonica and Orchestra.

Pierre Boulez leads his group the Ensemble InterContemporain in Stravinky's "Dumbarton Oaks" concerto, which takes its name from the estate of Robert Woods Bliss, who commissioned it for his thirtieth wedding anniversary. The Norrkoeping Symphony follows that up with Max Reger's "Suite in the Olden Style"; bringing the evening to a modernistic close is the San Francisco Symphony in Vincent D'Indy's Symphony No. 2 in B-flat.


Glass Etudes

Monday, February 05, 2007

We'll sample some of Philip Glass's Etudes for Piano with the composer himself at the keyboard; also, an excerpt from his 1993 opera based on Jean Cocteau's film "Orphée. Later on, tenor Rolando Villazon digs his teeth into oldies (but goodies!) by Claudio Monteverdi.

Pianist Michael Korstick performs the Fifth Piano Concerto of modern French master Darius Milhaud; we'll also engage in some wishful thinking with Frederic Delius's wistful "Summer Evening." Topping things off is a wonderful performance of John Adams's Violin Concerto from Robert McDuffie; Christoph Eschenbach leads the Houston Symphony Orchestra.


"Moonchild's Dreams"

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Thomas Koppel is one of Denmark's most accomplished composers. Born in 1944, Koppel writes frequently for opera, film and ballet productions, and his dramatic gift is evident in his concert works as well. Tonight we'll hear Koppel's "Moonchild's Dreams," a one-movement concerto for recorder and orchestra which draws inspiration from Sibelius, Britten and traditional Danish folk song.

Also on the program tonight, we'll hear five lyric pieces by Edvard Grieg, two guitar works by Philip Glass and a short piece by Nicolo Paganini. The evening is completed by "Haru no Uni" ("Ocean in Springtime"), an innovative work for the harp by Japanese composer Michio Miyagi.


Spotlight on: Jory Vinikour

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Jory Vinikour is regarded as one of the world's most accomplished harpsichordists. Born in Chicago in 1963, he has lived in Paris since 1990, when he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study with Huguette Dreyfus and Kenneth Gilbert. We'll talk to Vinikour about his performance practice, upcoming engagements, and all things harpsichord.

Also on the program tonight is 20th century composer Luigi Dallapiccola's "Tartiniana" for violin and orchestra. Inspired by four violin sonatas by 18th century composer Giuseppe Tartini - whom we'll also hear tonight - the piece bears witness to Dallapiccola's mastery of twelve-tone structure as well as his irrepressible Italianite lyricism.


Telemann's Heyday

Friday, February 02, 2007

George Philip Telemann is the quintessential Baroque composer, even in comparison with his more famous colleagues Bach and Handel. In his own day he was supremely revered — even by those two other giants of music. Tonight we'll hear one of Telemann's crown jewels, the concerto for Two Flutes, Violin and Cello in D, from members of Les Elements Amsterdam.

Later, we'll sail through the centuries as we explore familiar and unfamiliar pieces. Works by Reynaldo Hahn, Dan Becker, Virgil Thomson, Alan Hovhaness and Alex North are heard, along with a Violin Concerto by Nicolo Paganini, the haunting prelude "La fille aux cheveux du lin" ("The Girl with the Flaxen Hair") by Debussy, and the Dvorak Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor.


Blue Strings

Thursday, February 01, 2007

We'll sample Danny Elfman's classical concert piece "Serenada Schizophrana" with the introspective movement "Blue Strings" (John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra). Also, pianist Christopher Riley and some of his rock-to-classical transcriptions of tunes by the English band Radiohead.

Later on we'll hear from Philip Glass with his symphonic portrait of nature in "The Light," followed by a (slightly less programmatic) work from American composer John Harbison, the Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet, and Strings. Music by Astor Piazzolla, Einojuhani Rautavaara, and Gavin Bryars rounds out the evening, as well as a work from Esa-Pekka Salonen — who premieres his new Piano Concerto this week at Avery Fisher Hall.