Classic Ross Amico

Category: Daily Dispatch

NJ Orchestras Spring for Strings with Gavilán & Graffin

As we prepare to turn the clocks ahead this weekend, two local orchestras are ready to spring for strings.

Cuban violinist Ilmar Gavilán will join members of the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey for a concert to be held in the intimate setting of the Trenton War Memorial ballroom on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and French violinist Philippe Graffin will be a guest of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra at Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium on Mar. 19 at 4 p.m.

Gavilán, a founding member of the Harlem Quartet, will perform audience favorites by Fritz Kreisler (“Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani”) and Pablo de Sarasate (“Zigeunerweisen,” or “Gypsy Airs”). Also on the CPNJ program will be Mozart’s Divertimento in D major, K. 136, and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.”

Graffin will be the soloist in Sir Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto. Also on the PSO program will be Carl Nielsen’s distinctive and dynamic Symphony No. 4, known as the “Inextinguishable.” The tempestuous work, written against the backdrop of World War I, celebrates the indomitable life force. Most notably, the symphony features a thrilling duel between timpanists positioned on either side of the orchestra. Christopher Lyndon-Gee will act as guest conductor for one of the most powerful works by Denmark’s greatest composer.

The allure of Elgar was so strong for Graffin that he left Paris to live in London for two decades, where he worked with Yehudi Menuhin and studied the work’s original manuscript.

Read more about both violinists in my article in today’s Trenton Times.

http://www.nj.com/times-entertainment/index.ssf/2017/03/classical_music_ilmar_gavilan.html

PLEASE NOTE: The Harlem Quartet will join pianist Igal Kesselman and host Rob Kapilow for the next “What Makes It Great?” Kapilow and the musicians will deconstruct Antonín Dvořák’s Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, followed by a complete performance of the work. Hear it tonight at 8:00 EST, with a repeat tomorrow afternoon at 1:00, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

PHOTOS: Gavilán (left) and Graffin

March 10, 2017
Remembering Robert Osborne TCM Host

I don’t know about you, but I’m still reeling from the death of Robert Osborne, primary host of Turner Classic Movies: TCM since the network’s inception in 1994. Osborne died earlier this week at the age of 84. As someone who has had his television set welded to one channel for the better part of two decades, I feel as if I’ve lost a personal friend.

I hope you’ll join me on Thursday morning on WPRB, as I pay tribute to Osborne with a program of music by composers associated with the kinds of films we both loved. The morning will be made up of scores written for the silver screen and concert works by Miklós Rózsa, Franz Waxman, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, among others.

Included will be selections from some of the films Osborne acknowledged as personal favorites – films like “Laura,” “A Place in the Sun,” and “Hobson’s Choice.” There will be ample symphonies, concertos, and chamber music, as well.

We’ll roll the credits for Bob tomorrow, from 6 to 11 a.m. EST, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. The music will all be in black and white, on Classic Ross Amico.

March 9, 2017
Remembering Robert Osborne TCM Legend

You earned your gold star, Bob. As primary host of Turner Classic Movies: TCM since 1994, you’ve brought joy to millions of classic movie fans. As a writer, you’ve enlightened us about the history of the Oscars and Hollywood’s Golden Age. Now, alas, it falls to others to celebrate your legacy.

This morning on WPRB, I’ll be playing music from a number of classic scores from films seen regularly on TCM, including a few that you’ve acknowledged as among your personal favorites, films like “Laura,” “A Place in the Sun,” and “Hobson’s Choice.” We’ll also hear concert works by classic film composers Jerome Moross, Elmer Bernstein, Franz Waxman, Bernard Herrmann, Miklos Rozsa, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. In fact, the music is already underway.

Next weekend, TCM will dedicate 48 hours of its programming to your long-form interviews with Hollywood legends, including a selection of those conducted at the TCM Classic Film Festival with such artists as Peter O’Toole, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, Alan Arkin, and Luise Rainer (who at the time was 101 years-old!). The TCM tribute will begin on March 18 at 6 a.m.

In the meantime, rest easy, Bob. Enjoy the music, from 6 to 11 EST, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. We’ll be keeping it reel, on Classic Ross Amico.

PHOTO: Robert Osborne in 2006 with his newly-minted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

March 9, 2017
Samuel Barber on WWFM Today

It’s unusual for me to do double-duty on Thursday, but that’s exactly what will happen today, as I scoot over for an afternoon of production work and live broadcasting at WWFM. (I’m generally there anyway, trying to get my recorded programs in for the weekend.)

Today, we’ll celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the great American composer, Samuel Barber (b. 1910). It’s a beautiful day, so I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we have our share of American romantics. We’ll also hear from Czech composer Josef Mysliveček (b. 1737). Mysliveček was a close friend of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, so that will take care of the classicism.

Eat your heart out, Tony Stark. I’m pulling the iron man shift today, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network at wwfm.org.

Samuel Barber contemplates Iron Man. (Please don’t sue me, Marvel.)

March 9, 2017
Classical Music Mount St Helens Bach Birthday

When is cauliflower not good for you? When it turns out that it’s actually Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens blew on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people, reducing hundreds of square miles to wasteland, and causing over $1 billion in damage. It also happened to inspire a symphony by Alan Hovhaness. You’ll hear it today on The Classical Network, as we celebrate Hovhaness’ birthday (b. 1911).

We’ll also have music by Greek composer Nikos Skalkottas (b. 1904), one of the great film themes by Bruce Broughton (b. 1945), and a concerto by my favorite of the sons of Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel (b. 1714).

Are you planning on “Giving Bach?” Be one of 500 to make a donation by March 21 – Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday – and we’ll cancel fundraising on that day and simply enjoy his music. Furthermore, we’ll host a free concert that evening at Miller Chapel on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary, with musicians of New York’s Trinity Wall Street performing a selection of his cantatas and organ works.

Contribute today at wwfm.org, or call during regular business hours at 1-888-232-1212. As always, thank you for your support of WWFM – The Classical Network.

March 8, 2017

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS