If you’re still feeling a little unsteady after yesterday’s Walt Whitman 200th Birthday Blowout, a little “hair of the dog” might just be the thing to settle the shakes. (And believe me, with Whitman, there’s plenty of hair to go around.)
Join us tonight on The Classical Network for a special live broadcast of Bernard Herrmann’s forgotten radio play, “Whitman.” Baritone William Sharp will assume the title role, with the PostClassical Ensemble conducted by Angel Gil-Ordóñez. The concert will take place at Washington National Cathedral at 7:30 p.m.
WWFM’s David Osenberg will join PostClassical executive director Joseph Horowitz and “Exploring Music” host Bill McGlaughlin for this exciting event. The program will also include Herrmann’s Clarinet Quintet “Souvenirs de Voyage” and “Psycho: A Narrative for String Orchestra.”
Herrmann, of course, achieved fame as one of the great film composers. His first film score was for Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane;” his last was for Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver.” But he is probably best remembered for his music written for the classic thrillers of Alfred Hitchcock.
Prior to his run in the movies, Herrmann worked as a conductor for the Columbia Broadcasting System. It was while at CBS that he met Welles, with whom he collaborated on “Mercury Theatre on the Air.” Among Herrmann’s assignments: Welles’ notorious “The War of the Worlds” radio broadcast.
Herrmann’s “Whitman” was written for another radio legend, Norman Corwin. Composed in 1944, the music will receive its world premiere concert performance on tonight’s program.
Following the broadcast, I’ll be on hand, in the WWFM studios, to share more Herrmann from some of his recordings.
Join us for an evening of music by an artist celebrated by PostClassical as “the most underrated 20th century American composer.” It’s all-Herrmann, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
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