The cherry blossoms are in bloom in Washington, D.C. This Sunday morning on WPRB, to coincide with the peak of this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, we’ll hear music inspired by Japan, alongside original works by Japanese composers.
The “highlight” of the morning will be Sidney Jones’ seminal musical comedy, “The Geisha,” which opened in London’s West End in 1896. While this might seem a peculiar choice – some of the attitudes and vocabulary definitely come across as a mite insensitive in our more enlightened age (though none of it is mean-spirited, I wouldn’t expect a staged revival anytime soon) – Jones’ entertainment is a fascinating historical document not without merit. Over a century later, we might wonder what all the fuss was about, but “The Geisha” was a huge international hit. It ran for over seven months on Broadway. It stands as a missing link between the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan (the influence of “The Mikado” looms large) and the emergence of modern musical theater. Interestingly, from our perspective in the 21st century, the work seems much closer to the classical music tradition, employing a standard orchestra in the pit and no hint of the popular influences to come.
Still, if it all sounds a bit much for the faint of heart, consider tuning in early to find some balance with works by Japanese composers Komei Abe, Kiyoshige Koyama, Yoquijiro Yocoh, and Akira Ifukube (of “Godzilla” fame). We’ll also hear Gustav Holst’s “Japanese Suite” and, unavoidably, a selection or two from “The Mikado.” Be forewarned, if you switch off before the end, you will miss the inimitable Claudia Novikova’s infectious recording of “The Laughing Song,” an insert aria composed for “The Geisha,” which I guarantee will make your day.
It’s music in honor of “the flowers that bloom in spring, tra la” – Japanese cherry blossoms, to be specific – this Sunday morning from 7 to 10 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Spring is in the air, or on the air, with Classic Ross Amico.
