Classic Ross Amico

Category: Daily Dispatch

Suk’s Summer’s Tale Healing Power of Nature

Josef Suk was the one-time pupil and eventual son-in-law of Antonin Dvořák. In fact, his early works very much reflect Dvořák’s influence, in sunny, romantic music full of nationalistic touches.

However, a double tragedy occurred in Suk’s 30th year, in 1905, when he lost both his father-in-law and his beloved wife – Dvořák’s older daughter – Otilie. The events directly inspired Suk’s “Asrael Symphony,” named for the Angel of Death. Not surprisingly, morbidity colors much of his mature output.

“A Summer’s Tale” is the next step in Suk’s emotional rehabilitation. The work is a five-movement symphonic poem, the second of a four-part cycle, which contemplates death and the meaning of life. More affirmative than the grim “Asrael,” which is full of pain, loss and grief, “A Summer’s Tale” explores the healing powers of nature, in a score that at times reflects the epic romanticism of Gustav Mahler and the impressionism of Claude Debussy. It was composed over the course of just six weeks in the summer of 1907. Further tinkering took place over the next year-and-a-half. The work received its premiere in January of 1909.

Suk later described the theme of the piece as “finding a soothing balm in nature.” Tune in tonight and see if you agree.

That’s “Healing by Nature” – Suk’s “A Summer’s Tale” – on “The Lost Chord,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

PHOTOS: Otilie Dvořáková and Josef Suk, in happier days

August 13, 2017
Thank You Pet Loss Support

It’s been an exhausting week. Everything seems a bit flat, and it’s hard to dive into writing with much zest. But I did want to let you know that your comments and gestures of solace have been much appreciated. Thank you for acknowledging the importance of a loving pet in one’s life.

August 12, 2017
European Film Music for Summer Vacation Dreams

The light is shifting. It’s still summer, but the perceptible creep toward shorter days has begun.

That said, with nearly three weeks left in August, there’s still time for a quick European vacation. This week on “Picture Perfect,” we’ll glance across the pond for an hour of music from foreign films with summer settings.

“A Summer Story,” based on a tale of John Galsworthy, tells of young London lawyer and a farm girl who fall profoundly in love at the turn of last century. Georges Delerue provides the poignant score.

The juxtaposition of “Igmar Bergman” and “comedy” may seem like something of an oxymoron, but the dour Swede’s “Smiles of a Summer Night” proves to be a witty examination of the folly of the human heart. Frequent Bergman collaborator Erik Nordgren wrote the music.

Director Yves Robert adapted the memoirs of Marcel Pagnol, who spent his childhood summers in the south of France, into two lovely films, “My Father’s Glory” and “My Mother’s Castle.” We’ll hear music composed for both by Vladimir Cosma. Pagnol’s experiences in Provence marked him for life, informing the films and writings of his maturity, including “The Baker’s Wife,” and “Jean de Florette.”

Finally, we’ll have a generous sampling from one of Ennio Morricone’s most beloved scores, that for “Cinema Paradiso.” “Cinema Paradiso,” set in a post-war Siciy where it always seems to be summer, is a nostalgic paean to the shared experience of film and the significance it holds in our lives. It won a special jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was honored with an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

I hope you’ll join me for summer overseas, on “Picture Perfect,” this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

August 11, 2017
Honoring Hannah A Musical Goodbye on WPRB

It is hard to say goodbye.

I will lay my sweet Hannah to rest musically this morning on WPRB, by honoring her memory with works related in one way or another to our beloved pets and companions. Among the featured works will be John Alden Carpenter’s ballet “Krazy Kat,” George Crumb’s “Mundus Canis,” Peter Schickele’s “Thurber’s Dogs,” Robert Russell Bennett’s “Suite for Skip and Sadie,” Alan Rawsthorne’s “Practical Cats” (after T.S. Eliot), Alan Hovhaness’ “Fred the Cat,” and Kenneth Leighton’s “Household Pets.” There will also be pieces inspired by Noah and St. Francis of Assisi.

In addition, we’ll hear many, many shorter works by composers such as Leroy Anderson, George Antheil, Samuel Barber, Frederic Chopin, Zez Confrey, Aaron Copland, Ernst von Dohnanyi, Daniel Dorff, Sir Edward Elgar, George Gershwin, Carlos Guastavino, Howard Hanson, William Lloyd Webber, Arthur Pryor, Maurice Ravel, Elie Siegmeister, Igor Stravinsky, Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, and Laurel Zucker.

It will be more engaging than a length of yarn or even a wayward cricket, this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wrpb.com. I’m really missing my baby, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 10, 2017
Pet Music on WPRB This Week

Anyone who has ever taken in a pet knows that the bond between human and animal can be one of the most intimate and rewarding. Our pets trust us; we make them feel secure. We take care of them, and they return our love with evident pleasure and affection.

This Thursday morning on WPRB, we’ll celebrate these special relationships, with music related to our four-legged friends (and perhaps a few winged and finned ones, too). Among our featured works will be Alan Rawsthorne’s “Practical Cats,” Peter Schickele’s “Thurber’s Dogs,” Richard Rodney Bennett’s “Suite for Skip and Sadie,” Alan Hovhaness’ “Fred the Cat,” and Kenneth Leighton’s “Household Pets.” We’ll also have music inspired by famed custodians and protectors of animals, Noah and Saint Francis.

Join me, in memory of my beloved companion, Hannah, this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Those beautiful green eyes will forever pierce my heart, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 9, 2017

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