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Tag: Leopold Stokowski

Bloch’s “America” An Immigrant’s Rhapsody

He came to love and revere his adopted country as only an outsider could.

Just in time for Independence Day, we’ll have music by immigrant-turned-naturalized-American-citizen, Ernest Bloch. Bloch, born in Switzerland, is probably best remembered for his music on Jewish themes, including the rhapsody for cello and orchestra, “Schelomo,” the suite for violin and piano “Baal Shem,” and the humanitarian oratorio, “Sacred Service.”

With a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe, Bloch decided to make the United States his permanent home. His epic rhapsody, “America,” was written, according to the composer, “in love for this country, in reverence to its past, in faith in its future.” He dedicated the work to Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman.

Bloch first conceived the idea for the piece in 1916, as his steamer entered New York Harbor. The conflict of the First World War gave further impetus to the composition of what he envisioned as an American anthem, but it wasn’t until 1925 that the work began to take concrete form.

For modern listeners, it’s possible that this symphony in all but name crosses the line at times into the Realm of Hokey, with its quotations of “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Yankee Doodle” – it is certainly a time capsule – however, Bloch’s heartfelt conviction and his love for his adopted country remain palpable.

Hear Bloch himself, full of patriotic fervor, introduce this homage to his adopted land. Leopold Stokowski conducts the Symphony of the Air. I hope you’ll join me for “Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Bloch was also interested in the visual arts, especially photography, and developed a close friendship with Alfred Stieglitz, which you can read about here:

http://ericjohnsonphoto.com/ernest-bloch-and-alfred-stieglitz-a-sunday-morning-conversion/

July 1, 2018
Chernobog St John’s Eve Disney’s Fantasia

When the sun sets this evening, June 23, you had better be prepared to deal with Chernobog! That’s right, it’s St. John’s Eve – the eve of the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist.

“Dracula” fans might be interested to know that none other than Bela Lugosi struck demonic poses for Disney animators for several days as a model for the climactic sequence of “Fantasia.” He would ultimately be replaced by Wilfred Jackson. Still, how cool is that?

Of course, Leopold Stokowski conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra on the film’s soundtrack. The master of ceremonies, Deems Taylor, sets the scene incorrectly, stating that it occurs on Walpurgis Night (April 30). Chernobog could care less about Walpurgis Night. He’s kickin’ it up for St. John!

Watch the clip here, and relive your childhood anxiety:

http://www.cornel1801.com/disney/Fantasia-1940/film8.html

June 23, 2018
Stokowski’s Wagner Philadelphia Orchestra

With the exception, perhaps, of his own transcriptions of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Leopold Stokowski recorded more Wagner with the Philadelphia Orchestra than any other single composer.

This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll revisit some of Stoky’s early recordings, originally issued on 78s, including the controversial “Liebesnacht,” the original version of his symphonic synthesis after “Tristan und Isolde” – an arrangement that infuriated listeners, with its inconclusive ending – and the “Liebestod,” which he undertook by popular demand, in order to provide a more satisfactory conclusion.

We’ll also hear baritone Lawrence Tibbett, in a role he never sang on stage, in a superb recording of “Wotan’s Farewell and Magic Fire Music.”

That’s “Magic Fire” – Leopold Stokowski’s early Wagner recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra” – this Sunday night at 10:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

May 20, 2018
Leopold Stokowski on WWFM Today

In just one half hour, get ready for LEOPOLD!

It’s all-Stokowski between 2 & 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

April 18, 2017
Good Friday Music on The Classical Network

Good Friday will be full of great music on The Classical Network.

At 12:00 EDT, we’ll hear a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. John Passion,” live from Trinity Wall Street in New York City. The Choir of Trinity Wall Street will be joined by New York Baroque Incorporated, Wen Yang artistic director. David Osenberg will be your host for this special three-hour broadcast.

I’ll be along at 4:00 to share a glorious recording of Leopold Stokowski conducting the “Good Friday Spell” from Wagner’s “Parsifal.” We’ll also hear symphonies for Passion Week by Haydn and Paul Creston. Adolphus Hailstork’s “Sonata da Chiesa,” inspired by his fascination with cathedrals, will span a variety of moods, from mystery to exultation.

At 6:00, “Picture Perfect” will focus on “Lives of the Saints,” with selections from “The Song of Bernadette” (by Alfred Newman), “Saint Joan” (Mischa Spoliansky), “A Man for All Seasons” (Georges Delerue), and “Quo Vadis?” (Miklos Rozsa).

We’ll get a start on the Easter weekend with intimations of hope and renewal on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

April 14, 2017

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