Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Brahms

Tchaikovsky & Brahms: Best Frenemies Forever

They were totally B.F.F. — Best Frenemies Forever.

Prior to their unexpected meeting, Tchaikovsky had confided in his diary, “I have played over the music of that scoundrel Brahms. What a giftless bastard!” Brahms reciprocated by falling asleep during Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, in the presence of the composer.

Here’s a first-hand account of the introduction of the fastidious Tchaikovsky to the acerbic Brahms, with a special appearance by Edvard Grieg and his wife, Nina – making this almost as incident-packed as the new Captain America movie.

Tchaikovsky and Brahms: it is fun to learn what happens when two fine composers of different temperaments meet for the first time

Surprise! They actually delighted in one another’s company. In fact, they liked one another so well, they decided to do it again. However, the two never could reconcile themselves to one another’s music. When asked what he thought of the piano trio Brahms had been rehearsing, Tchaikovsky intimated, “Don’t be angry with me, my dear friend, but I did not like it.”

Happy birthday, boys.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

May 7, 2016
Beard Gone Classical Composers Reimagined

Fresh in from the TMI Desk:

This afternoon marked the ritual shaving of my sick beard. No photos posted upon request.

Except for these: Beardless Debussy (left) and beardless Brahms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Zlv_s9jQU

February 6, 2016
Remembering Kurt Masur

The New York Philharmonic’s “Kapellmeister,” Kurt Masur, has died.

I attended one of his concerts in Philadelphia, back in 1990, in which he presented Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration” on the same program with Brahms’ “A German Requiem.” I still remember it, so it must have been pretty good. With Masur you could always count on solid performances, though you were pretty much guaranteed he wasn’t going to do anything to scare the horses.

His reputation rests comfortably in the thick of the bratwurst and sauerkraut repertoire. I am thankful that he kept enough breadcrumbs in his pocket that he was able to stray a little off the beaten path every once in a while in order to give us recordings like those of the Bruch violin concertos, with Salvatore Accardo (ranging beyond the familiar Concerto No. 1 and the “Scottish Fantasy”), and the complete symphonies, with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

He also gave many world premieres of contemporary music in New York, something for which he is not often credited. Still, Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn were always in his strike zone.

R.I.P. Kurt Masur.

His obituary in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/20/arts/music/kurt-masur-new-york-philharmonic-conductor-dies.html?_r=0

An interview he gave with Bruce Duffie:

http://www.bruceduffie.com/masur.html

Interestingly, he advises audiences to be open to new experiences.

December 19, 2015
Neo-Baroque Music Autumn WPRB

Something about autumn puts me in the mind of Baroque music (and Brahms). However, since the Baroque isn’t really my area of expertise – and since, therefore, a lot of it starts to sound the same to me – I thought I’d devote my program tomorrow morning on WPRB to music of the NEO-Baroque.

Some of it will consist of pastiches by 20th and 21st century composers dressed up in antique clothing; a lot of it will assimilate Baroque forms while remaining decidedly of our time. In addition, there will be variations on Baroque themes and tributes to Baroque masters.

Not a lot to do about the hankering for Brahms, unless I break down and play his “Handel Variations.” I hope you’ll join me tomorrow morning from 6 to 11 ET, on WPRB 103.3 FM or at wprb.com. I’ll be donning the powdered wig and giggling bwoo-hoo-hoohoohoo, on Classic Ross Amico.

October 7, 2015
Itzhak Perlman Celebrates 70 Years

Holy cow! Itzhak Perlman is 70 today.

Here’s a write up by NPR, with a selection of video clips, including one of Perlman’s appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” (ah, the days when you could hear Wieniawski on network television) and one on “Sesame Street.”

http://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2015/08/31/435224636/itzhak-perlman-charting-a-charismatic-career

Some of my personal favorites from Perlman’s discography:

The Korngold Violin Concerto in D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP4KlctwXHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpoikVVrJxA

The Castelnuovo-Tedesco Violin Concerto No. 2 “The Prophets”

Okay, so I have a sweet tooth.

Here’s a lovely recording of the Brahms sonatas. Unfortunately, it being YouTube, you will have to suffer through a commercial between each of the movements.

Happy birthday, Itzhak Perlman. Thanks for all the beauty.

August 31, 2015

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