Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Igor Stravinsky

Ballets Russes Treasures on The Classical Network

Serge Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes, commissioned some of the most enduring ballet scores of the 20th century, from such composers as Claude Debussy (“Jeux”), Maurice Ravel (“Daphnis and Chloe”), Manuel de Falla (“The Three-Cornered Hat”), and especially Igor Stravinsky (“The Firebird,” “Petrushka” and “The Rite of Spring”).

This afternoon on The Classical Network, we’ll have a chance to enjoy some of the lesser-known fruits of this partnership, including “Narcisse et Echo” by Nikolai Tcherepnin – written one year before “Daphnis,” though with some striking similarities – and the complete ballet “The Triumph of Neptune” – one of only two works composed for the company by an English composer, in this case Lord Berners. The suite, not exactly overplayed, was a great favorite of Sir Thomas Beecham (he recorded it several times), but the complete ballet is never done. We’ll also hear Richard Strauss’ music for the bombastic biblical spectacle “Josephslegende” (“The Legend of Joseph”) in its entirety.

First, on today’s Noontime Concert, it’s music for voice and viol, courtesy of Gotham Early Music Scene, or GEMS. Mezzo-soprano Ashley Mulcahy and viola da gambist James Perretta of the duo Lyracle will present works for this distinctive combination from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

These performances were captured at GEMS’ Midtown Concerts series, held at the chapel of St. Bartholomew’s Church, 325 Park Avenue, in New York City. Free concerts take place at St. Bart’s on Thursdays at 1:15 p.m. For more information, visit GEMS’ website, gemsny.org, and click on the events calendar.

Join me for a mix of GEMS and flawed diamonds from the Ballets Russes, from 12 to 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

IMAGE: Potiphar’s wife got it goin’ on!

June 4, 2019
Stravinsky Genius or PR Machine?

Was Igor Stravinsky the greatest composer of the 20th century? Sure, he was in the right place(s) at the right time, but he wouldn’t have gotten very far without his own unique blend of talent, curiosity and drive. His was an incredible journey that spanned from the Russian nationalism of his teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov, to post-Schoenberg serial experimentation. Also, he had one hell of a PR machine. Happy birthday, Igor Stravinsky.

June 17, 2017
Stravinsky at Princeton A 50 Year Remembrance

When an artist like Igor Stravinsky comes to town, you’re not likely to forget – even 50 years later.

Stravinsky was 84 years-old in 1966, and regarded as perhaps the greatest composer of his day, when he was commissioned by Princeton University and Stanley Seeger to write his “Requiem Canticles.” The work was written to the memory of Seeger’s mother, Helen Buchanan Seeger, a benefactor of the university and especially the university’s music department.

Stravinsky described the piece as his “pocket requiem,” six movements spanning roughly 15 minutes. The work is sung in Latin and rendered in the composer’s later, twelve-tone idiom. It was given its debut at McCarter Theatre Center on October 8 of that year. It would be Stravinsky’s last major work. It was played at his own funeral in Venice in 1971.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Stravinsky’s visit, the composer will be remembered, musically, on two programs to be performed at the university this weekend. Michael Pratt will conduct the Princeton University Orchestra in a suite from the composer’s ballet “The Firebird” on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Gabriel Crouch will lead the Princeton University Glee Club in the choral masterpiece “Les Noces” on Sunday at 3 p.m. Both works will be presented at Richardson Auditorium.

Find out more, and read first-hand accounts of the composer’s visit from Maida Pollock, then manager of the university’s concerts, and Bill Lockwood, then, as now, McCarter’s programming director, in my article in today’s Trenton Times:

http://www.nj.com/times-entertainment/index.ssf/2016/12/classical_music_puo_pugc_so_pe.html

PHOTO: Stravinsky (right) with his assistant, Robert Craft, in 1964

December 9, 2016
Stravinsky’s Princeton Premiere 50th Anniversary

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.

December 1, 2016
Composers and Koalas A Musical Encounter

Apropos of nothing – composers with koalas.

PHOTOS: (Counter-clockwise from top) Igor Stravinsky, Sir William Walton and Leonard Bernstein

Koala sings Mozart’s Requiem:

June 18, 2016

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