As I am still sweeping up the crumbs from Mozart’s birthday cake, my thoughts light upon poor Edouard Lalo. Lalo was born on Mozart’s birthday in 1823. Chances are, if you were to stop by the Lalo residence on any January 27, you would find him sitting all alone with his party favors.
This afternoon on The Classical Network, I thought we’d take a few hours to salute those who have lost classical music’s greatest popularity contests. In addition to Lalo, we’ll hear works by Modest Mussorgsky (born on Bach’s birthday, March 21, in 1839) and Zoltán Kodály (born on Beethoven’s birthday, December 16, in 1882) – all worthy composers, who have no hope of ever emerging from the shadows of Olympus.
To fill in around the edges, we may also hear from Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga – described (facetiously?) as “The Spanish Mozart” – born February 27, 1806, François-Adrien Boieldieu, born December 16, 1775, and Rodion Shchedrin, born December 16, 1932.
All were quite adept at their craft. Some were even historically important. Their only sins were not being Bach, Mozart or Beethoven – compounded by the fact that they happened to share their birthdays. Mediocrities everywhere, I absolve you!
First, on today’s Noontime Concert, you’ll find nothing mediocre about flutist Carol Wincenc. She’s been delighting audiences with her musicianship for five decades. Among the composers with whom she has worked directly are Aaron Copland, Olivier Messiaen, and Philip Glass. She has also had music written specifically for her by Christopher Rouse, Henryk Górecki, Lukas Foss, Thea Musgrave, and Joan Tower.
Wincenc’s 50th Anniversary Celebration took place at the Morgan Library and Museum on November 12. The program opened with Claude Debussy’s “Syrinx” for solo flute and included two world premieres – Wincenc commissions – by composers Jake Heggie and Pierre Jalbert. Heggie and Jalbert were on hand to offer commentary. Oh yeah, and there was also a flute quartet by MOZART!
You’ll have a chance to hear this concert this afternoon. All in all, there’s much to celebrate, from 12 to 4 p.m. EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
