Everything old is new again this afternoon on The Classical Network.
Join me for today’s Noontime Concert and a recital given in honor of the 350th anniversary of the birth of François Couperin. “François Couperin at 350” will be presented by Rebecca Pechefsky. Pechefsky performed selections from two of Couperin’s keyboard suites, in advance of her participation in all-Couperin marathon, which was held in Cambridge, UK, in November of last year.
This broadcast concert was recorded at the chapel of Saint Bartholomew’s Church, 325 Park Avenue, in New York City, in September. Free Midtown Concerts are held at St. Bart’s every Thursday at 1:15 p.m. during the regular season, thanks in part to Gotham Early Music Scene, or GEMS.
Immediately following today’s concert broadcast (circa 12:45), stick around for “Variations on a Theme by Couperin” by the Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen. It will lead off an afternoon of music inspired by composers and characteristics of the Baroque and Classical eras. Some of it may be in the form of tributes or sets of variations; others will emulate the clean lines and leaner textures of the 18 century; others still could be pastiches or straightforward arrangements of works by earlier masters.
Neo-baroque. Neoclassical. Everything’s Neo, from 12 to 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.