Consoling Whispers

Carl Maria von Weber is said by some to be the father of the Romantic piano concerto; this evening we hear his Piano Concerto No. 2, performed with virtuosic artistry by Elisabeth Rich. Satie's "Danses gothiques" were written during a period when he was influenced by the Rosicrucians and fascinated by medieval modalities. It is said to be a novena composed to ensure the peace of his soul during his stormy liaison with artist Suzanne Valadon. Sir William Walton's Cello Concerto is played by Gregor Piatigorsky, the work's dedicatee. He played the premiere with Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony (the forces we hear tonight) on January 28, 1957. Our recording was made three days later.
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