Evening Music

George Friderick Handel

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.