Send in the Clowns
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
The character of Pierrot has entertained, fascinated and even terrorized audiences since the 16th Century. He’s also inspired a host of music by classical (and not so classical) composers, a few of which we’ll hear tonight.
The “commedia del’arte” of sixteenth century Italy introduced an entire host of stylized characters that have entered into the public consciousness, and taken on many different forms in various cultures: Harlequin and Columbina; Punch and Judy, to name but a few. Then, of course, there is the character of Pierrot; originally a stock character that specialized in imitations and caricatures, Pierrot evolved in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries into a representation of the artist, sometimes comic and other times tragic.
Pierrot has inspired countless musical representations as well (not surprising given the “artist” role of the character). Tonight we’ll hear a few Pierrot variations, starting with that master of style and wit, Noel Coward. Tenor Ian Bostridge sings Coward’s “Parisian Pierrot” with the conductor Jeffrey Tate on the piano. After that, violinist Mark Steinberg and pianist Thomas Tirino serve up a little waltz, Pierrot-style, with Ernesto Lecuona’s “Vals de Pierrot.” Our last entry in the Pierrot files is Debussy’s lovely song “Pierrot” (of course), with soprano Juliane Banse and pianist Andras Schiff.
The “commedia del’arte” of sixteenth century Italy introduced an entire host of stylized characters that have entered into the public consciousness, and taken on many different forms in various cultures: Harlequin and Columbina; Punch and Judy, to name but a few. Then, of course, there is the character of Pierrot; originally a stock character that specialized in imitations and caricatures, Pierrot evolved in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries into a representation of the artist, sometimes comic and other times tragic.
Pierrot has inspired countless musical representations as well (not surprising given the “artist” role of the character). Tonight we’ll hear a few Pierrot variations, starting with that master of style and wit, Noel Coward. Tenor Ian Bostridge sings Coward’s “Parisian Pierrot” with the conductor Jeffrey Tate on the piano. After that, violinist Mark Steinberg and pianist Thomas Tirino serve up a little waltz, Pierrot-style, with Ernesto Lecuona’s “Vals de Pierrot.” Our last entry in the Pierrot files is Debussy’s lovely song “Pierrot” (of course), with soprano Juliane Banse and pianist Andras Schiff.
