Anniversary odds and ends. Here are several recent and upcoming birthday anniversaries, which we’d like to note. Niccolò Paganini was born on October 27, 1782. His anniversary comes just five days after that of Franz Liszt’s, who was so impressed by Paganini’s virtuoso playing that it changed his own performing career. Here’s Paganini’s La Campanella, from the third movement of his Second violin concerto; Liszt later used it in one of his “Grandes études de Paganini.” It’s arranged for viola and performed by the Russian-Italian violist Anna Serova, with Jenny Borgatti on the piano.
Vincenzo Bellini, who was born on November 3, 1801 is of course known for his great bel canto operas, Norma, I puritani, La sonnambula. Maybe one day we’ll have them online, but for now we’ll have to be content with an arietta. Vaga luna, che inargenti (Beautiful moon, dappling with silver) is sung by the soprano Leah Partridge, Anne Breeden is on the piano.
The great French baroque composer François Couperin was born on November 10 in 1668. Here’s his Air de Diable, from the so-called New concerts written in 1724. It’s performed by Amit Peled, with Eliza Ching on the piano.
And this week marks anniversaries of two composers of the 20th century. Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900; Paul Hindemith was born five years earlier, on November 16 of 1895. We’ll hear two pieces for the flute. First is Duo for Flute and Piano by Copland, composed in 1971 (it’s played by Martha Councell, flute and Richard Steinbach, piano – listen to it here). As so much of late Copland’s work, it’s lyrical, “American” and deceptively simple. Hindemith’s Sonata for Flute and Piano is very different. Written in 1936, it’s neo-classical in style and, though lighter than many of Hindemith’s pieces, is still full of tension, especially in the second and third movements. The sonata is played here by Jennifer Bartel, flute and Melody Lord, piano.
And finally, Carl Maria von Weber, the “first Romantic,” was born on November 18, 1786. His ever-popular Invitation to the Dance is played by the pianist Lara Downes (to listen, click here).
November 14, 2011
Anniversary odds and ends. Here are several recent and upcoming birthday anniversaries, which we’d like to note. Niccolò Paganini was born on October 27, 1782. His anniversary comes just five days after that of Franz Liszt’s, who was so impressed by Paganini’s virtuoso playing that it changed his own performing career. Here’s Paganini’s La Campanella, from the third movement of his Second violin concerto; Liszt later used it in one of his “Grandes études de Paganini.” It’s arranged for viola and performed by the Russian-Italian violist Anna Serova, with Jenny Borgatti on the piano.
Vincenzo Bellini, who was born on November 3, 1801 is of course known for his great bel canto operas, Norma, I puritani, La sonnambula. Maybe one day we’ll have them online, but for now we’ll have to be content with an arietta. Vaga luna, che inargenti (Beautiful moon, dappling with silver) is sung by the soprano Leah Partridge, Anne Breeden is on the piano.
The great French baroque composer François Couperin was born on November 10 in 1668. Here’s his Air de Diable, from the so-called New concerts written in 1724. It’s performed by Amit Peled, with Eliza Ching on the piano.
And this week marks anniversaries of two composers of the 20th century. Aaron Copland was born on November 14, 1900; Paul Hindemith was born five years earlier, on November 16 of 1895. We’ll hear two pieces for the flute. First is Duo for Flute and Piano by Copland, composed in 1971 (it’s played by Martha Councell, flute and Richard Steinbach, piano – listen to it here). As so much of late Copland’s work, it’s lyrical, “American” and deceptively simple. Hindemith’s Sonata for Flute and Piano is very different. Written in 1936, it’s neo-classical in style and, though lighter than many of Hindemith’s pieces, is still full of tension, especially in the second and third movements. The sonata is played here by Jennifer Bartel, flute and Melody Lord, piano.
And finally, Carl Maria von Weber, the “first Romantic,” was born on November 18, 1786. His ever-popular Invitation to the Dance is played by the pianist Lara Downes (to listen, click here).