The song that Sondheim hated:
It was changed for the movie (“bright” and “tonight” to “gay” and “today”) and placed out of sequence:
And then completely dropped from a more recent production of the show.
But then, artists aren’t always the best judges of their own work.
Nearly 150 years after her death, composer Louise Farrenc is finally coming into her own. Farrenc (1804-1875) was the only female musician on the faculty of the Paris Conservatory during the whole of the 19th century. Of course, she was only allowed to teach women.
This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll hear Farrenc’s remarkable Third Symphony, on a program of music by three neglected French Romantics.
A pupil of Moscheles (teacher of Mendelssohn) and Hummel (who studied with Mozart), Farrenc was a formidable pianist, who also took private lessons with Conservatory professor Anton Reicha. She paused in her career as a performer in order to start a successful publishing house, with her husband, Éditions Farrenc, which flourished for nearly 40 years.
Beginning in 1842, Farrenc was finally accepted it into the Paris Conservatory, as a professor. There, she taught piano, but not composition. However, her stature was such that she was able to demand – and receive – equal pay.
We’ll also hear music by Augusta Holmès (1847- 1903), French composer of Irish ancestry. Holmès received encouragement from Liszt and Wagner, as well as multiple marriage proposals from Saint-Saëns (which she declined). She became a pupil of César Franck. It’s said that Franck’s Piano Quintet enshrines the teacher’s ardent longing for his student. Saint-Saëns, who participated in the work’s scandalous premiere, was not amused.
Holmès will be represented by her symphonic poem “Andromède,” from 1883. Andromeda, you may recall from Greek mythology, is the daughter of Cassiopeia, who incurs the wrath of the gods when she brags of Andromeda’s extraordinary beauty (comparing her favorably to the Nereids). Andromeda is chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea serpent, but rescued from her fate by Perseus, who arrives just in the nick of time, astride the winged horse Pegasus and bearing the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa, with which he turns the serpent to stone.
Finally, Marie Gandval (1830-1907) studied with Flotow, then Chopin, and later Saint-Saëns. Saint-Saëns dedicated his Christmas Oratorio to her. She was the most frequently performed composer on concerts of the Société Nationale de Musique. The Société was founded by Saint-Saëns with an aim to promote orchestral music, which he found underserved in opera-mad France, where orchestras were tied to the theatres. Grandval herself was a composer of opera and choral music, but tonight there will be just enough time for her “Deux pièces” for oboe, cello and piano.
Look for the women on “Cherchez la Femme,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
When I was a kid, a good Saturday afternoon was one spent watching “Creature Double Feature.” Now that the horrors are real, we may as well enjoy legendary harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt, in a very silly wig. Leonhardt plays Johann Sebastian Bach – on this, Bach’s birthday – in “The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach” (1968). The music is performed by Concentus Musicus Wien. Watch also for contributions by Bob van Asperen, Bernd Weikl, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes.
Well, the day is finally upon us – Johann Sebastian Bach’s 335th birthday. And I can’t even get out to buy him a card.
Anyone can share the love, however, by making a donation to WWFM The Classical Network at wwfm.org.
Each year, it has been our custom to honor Bach by amassing 500 listener donations by March 21. We set no minimum. 500 donations IN ANY AMOUNT is what we ask for. When we reach 500, we cut the cake, and we celebrate with something of a Bach blowout.
This year, of course, that has become a bit problematic, but we are still committed to doing what we can to keep Bach in our hearts and on the air waves.
Your contribution supports not only our broadcast of Bach’s music, but also anything else we can lay our hands on that we think is worthwhile that falls under the umbrella of classical music. That’s a thousand years of the best of the best. It’s all made possible thanks to engaged listeners and active listener-support from people just like you.
We realize that money is tight for many during these uncertain times. But if you’re in a position in which you think you can afford it, please consider contributing whatever you can to help us in our ongoing mission. We’ve been here, sharing classical music with our community, since 1982. Thanks to advances in technology, that community now spans the globe.
Is classical music an essential part of your life? Please support it.
It’s convenient, and it’s safe. Simply head over to wwfm.org, and click on “Support” or follow the “Celebrate Bach” link. While you’re there, you can also monitor our progress by consulting the Bach 500 Membership Thermometer. As of Saturday morning, we stand at less than 200 contributions to go.
Make that donation, if you’re able, then join us in hoisting a bock to Bach. Thank you for your continued support of WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org!
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