Classic Ross Amico

  • Stravinsky A Princeton Celebration

    Stravinsky A Princeton Celebration

    by 

    Ross Amico
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    5 responses

    If it’s not too early for Igor, who traveled so far, it shouldn’t be too early for you.

    So pull up a chair and enjoy a cup of neoclassicism. Pour yourself a bowl of serialism. Nibble on some Russian nationalism. It’s music by the 20th century’s most versatile composer, an incredible journey from a student symphony steeped in the idiom of the Mighty Handful to the absorption of twelve-tone technique in the moving “Requiem Canticles,” his last major work.

    In 1966, the “Requiem Canticles” was commissioned by Princeton University, which led to a residency by the composer, who, at 84, conducted the world premiere of the work at McCarter Theatre. Join me this morning, as we gaze back a half-century to this remarkable event, with a full playlist of Stravinsky’s music.

    The program will be enhanced by commentary by Maida Pollock, now 90 years-old and living in Hawaii. Pollock was the university’s concert manager at the time of Stravinsky’s visit. In the 9:00 hour, we’ll hear recorded excerpts from a conversation we had yesterday by telephone. That will be followed by a recording of “Requiem Canticles.”

    In addition, we’ll have some special guests in the 10:00 hour: Michael Pratt, who will conduct the suite from Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” on two concerts of the Princeton University Orchestra, on Dec. 8 & 9, and Gabriel Crouch, who will lead a program including Stravinsky’s “Les Noces,” with the Princeton University Glee Club and So Percussion, on Dec. 11. All three concerts will be held at Richardson Auditorium.

    It’s a full morning of grapefruit and Grape Nuts with the 20th century’s greatest composer, from 6 to 11 EST, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Suddenly we’re kind of hungry, on Classic Ross Amico.

  • Stravinsky’s Princeton Premiere 50th Anniversary

    Stravinsky’s Princeton Premiere 50th Anniversary

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    Ross Amico
    in
    8 responses

    It was 50 years ago that Igor Stravinsky came to Princeton to give the world premiere of his new work for chorus and orchestra, the “Requiem Canticles.” The composer, then 84 years-old, was seen lying flat on his back in the McCarter Theatre box office, trying to conserve his energy. He stunned everyone by leading the work’s first performance in October of 1966. (Many had expected to see his assistant, Robert Craft, take over following rehearsals.)

    Tomorrow morning on WPRB, we honor the 50th anniversary of Stravinsky’s Princeton University residency. We’ll have a full morning of his music, including the early Symphony in E-flat, composed while he was yet an apprentice of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, the ballet “Le baiser de la fée” (“The Fairy’s Kiss”), written in homage to Tchaikovsky, and his final masterpiece, the “Requiem Canticles.”

    Dropping by at 10:00 will be Michael Pratt, who will conduct the suite from Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” on two concerts of the Princeton University Orchestra, on Dec. 8 & 9, and Gabriel Crouch, who will lead a program including Stravinsky’s “Les Noces,” with the Princeton University Glee Club and So Percussion, on Dec. 11. All three concerts will be held at Richardson Auditorium.

    And we’ll have yet another special treat: some recorded comments by Maida Pollock, whose job it was to pull the concert together in 1966, culled from a phone conversation she granted from her current home in Hawaii. We’ll hear those around 9:00.

    I hope you’ll join me for this multi-faceted salute to Igor Stravinsky, tomorrow morning from 6 to 11 EST, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. We’ve always got an ear for Igor, on Classic Ross Amico.

  • Alkan Eccentric Genius Rediscovered

    Alkan Eccentric Genius Rediscovered

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    Ross Amico
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    2 responses

    Charles-Valentin Alkan was a pianist of transcendent technique, a forward-looking composer, and the most eccentric recluse in Paris.

    Acclaimed in all circles as one of the finest keyboard artists of his day, he secluded himself in his home for years at a time. He shared the apartment with his illegitimate son, two apes and 100 cockatoos.

    He was also known to exhibit obsessive tendencies. His “12 Etudes in All the Minor Keys” contains among its movements a full concerto and a symphony for solo piano. He translated the entire Bible (with Apocrypha) from its original languages, and he talked of setting the entire thing to music.

    At the time of his death, his library contained 75 volumes in Hebrew or related to Judaism. He’s said to have been killed by a fallen bookcase after reaching for a volume of the Talmud, which was situated on a high shelf.

    Alkan himself was top-shelf material. Admired by Chopin and Liszt, his refusal to travel, or even to leave his home, contributed to his general obscurity, though he continued to issue new, exciting scores to great acclaim. He was studied by Debussy, Ravel, Busoni and Rachmaninoff, but really it fell to pianists of our own time to rediscover Alkan’s genius.

    Alkan (1813-1888) will be among our featured subjects this afternoon, as we celebrate his birthday anniversary. We’ll also hear from Swedish composer Ture Rangström (1884-1947); lied master Carl Loewe (1796-1869); lifelong friend of Richard Strauss, Ludwig Thuille (1861-1907); and late disciple of Mily Balakirev, Sergei Lyapunov (1859-1924). Finally, Romanian pianist Radu Lupu (b. 1945), another recluse, will perform music by Franz Schubert.

    I myself will emerge from seclusion, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.

    IMAGES: Alkan (left), in one of only two photos of him known to exist, and friend

  • WWFM Giving Tuesday Special Concerts & Interviews

    WWFM Giving Tuesday Special Concerts & Interviews

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    Ross Amico
    in
    4 responses

    For those of you who can’t get enough of my interviewing skills, today is your lucky day.

    To mark Giving Tuesday, The Classical Network will salute a number of non-profit organizations that continue to make a difference in our community. WWFM hosts will conduct brief interviews at the top of most every hour, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with representatives of the following: HomeFront (9 a.m.), SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals (10 a.m.), Breast Cancer Resource Center (11 a.m.), Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (12 p.m.), D&R Greenway Land Trust (2 p.m.), Womanspace, Inc. (3 p.m.), Mercer Street Friends (4 p.m.), Trenton Community Music School (5 p.m.), and Centurion Ministries (6 p.m.). Tune in to learn more and see how you, too, can lend a hand.

    I’ll also be joined in-studio by a special guest, flutist Mimi Stillman, as we present today’s noontime concert, “Dolce Suono Ensemble Goes to the Opera.” The program, which was performed live at Philadelphia’s Trinity Center for Urban Life this past September, will be made up of selections which, in one way or another, are connected to the opera, with works by Weber, Bellini, Meyerbeer by way of Frédéric Chopin and Auguste Franchomme, Carlisle Floyd, Donizetti, Bizet by way of François Borne, and Léo Delibes. There will even be an aria from Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” Featured performers will include, in addition to Stillman, soprano Sarah Shafer, cellist Nathan Vickery, and pianist Charles Abramovic.

    After the concert, I’ll share Bruno Walter’s cherished, late-career recording of Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony, a personal favorite, which concludes, appropriately enough, with a song of thanksgiving.

    Join us for Giving Tuesday, all day long. I’ll be with you from noon to 4 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and at wwfm.org.

  • Giving Tuesday on The Classical Network

    Giving Tuesday on The Classical Network

    by 

    Ross Amico
    in
    3 responses

    Some souvenirs of Giving Tuesday at WWFM – The Classical Network.

    Holding programs with Mimi Stillman, left, artistic director of the Dolce Suono Ensemble, my in-studio guest for today’s noontime concert.

    Then, top to bottom, with Jamie Parker, programs director of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, at 12 noon; Leslie Potter, development director of D&R Greenway Land Trust, at 2 p.m.; and Patricia Hart, executive director of Womanspace, Inc., at 3 p.m.

    That’s a new personal record in terms of consecutive interviews. Yes, I gave until it hurts, but all my guests are lovely people, and they are all champions of worthwhile causes.

    Other groups represented on The Classical Network today include HomeFront, SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, Breast Cancer Resource Center, Mercer Street Friends, Trenton Community Music School, and Centurion Ministries. All are non-profit organizations that have done much for the communities in which we broadcast. I hope you will consider supporting them.

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