Evening Music

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.