Dr. Paul's Classics

Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," as originally arranged for jazz orchestra, headlines Dr. Paul's Classics today. Ferde Grofe's ingenious orchestration is a part of the punch that this piece still delivers. In addition, there are two lovely operatic duets, one by Haydn, and one by Smetana. A Vivaldi cello concerto is heard, as are pieces by Chopin, Pablo de Sarasate, and a lively, playful piano concerto by Haydn. Rimsky-Korsakov is represented, as is a Bach Brandenburg concerto. As a hidden jewel, find the meditative "Dance for a Dead Princess" by Maurice Ravel deep in the heart of today's music. Ravel's gem is beautiful, evocative, and stunning. Enjoy more classical music to improve your lung capacity. Dr. Paul, pictured here, center, swears by it!

Mussorgsky, a Russian composer of the late 19th century, pictured here days before his death, composed this fabulous piece of music for piano solo. Maurice Ravel orchestrated the version played here today. Mussorgsky was born into a noble family and was one of the "Mighty Handful" of five composers who concentrated on producing art music characteristic of their Russian tradition. Smetana, a contemporary of Mussorgsky's, honored the nationalistic music of his native Bohemia, including the music featured today from his opera, The Bartered Bride. Listen today and you will also find a gorgeous cello concerto by Haydn, and some Spanish guitar music. Ah, today's show is redolent with the sounds of spring!

Rossini's overture to his opera "Semiramide" raises the curtain on today's show. "Semiramide" is the story of betrayal and murder that takes place in ancient Babylon. One of the main characters is the high priest of the temple of their god, Baal. Today's show features more conjurer's tricks with Dukas' The "Sorcerer's Apprentice." Mirella Freni, the Italian soprano born in the same year (1935) and city (Modena, Italy) as Pavarotti, sings a magical duet in concert with this famous and popular tenor. Further, Freni works her magic with one of Bellini's most heart-wrenching arias from "I Puritani". Also included today are some mystical musical offerings from Africa as played by The Kronos Quartet. To complete the program, Dr. Paul has included a concerto for fortepiano by Boccherini, a darkly beautiful concerto for viola by the Bohemian composer Vanhal, and some pieces for two pianos by Darius Milhaud that necessitates much sleight of hand.

Two eminent Italians, separated in time by 50 years, share February as the month of their birth: the cellist and composer Luigi Boccherini (pictured here) and the composer of Italian bel canto opera, Gioachino Rossini. Born in Lucca, Italy, Boccherini was a contemporary of Mozart and Haydn. However, he had to travel to Spain before he found a patron in the younger brother of the king of Spain. He spent most of his productive life in Spain, out of the mainstream of the musical establishment of Europe. However, his music is gracious, melodic, and often reflects the influences of the sounds of his adopted country. Rossini is best known for his overtures and the opera, "The Barber of Seville". Though he composed many other operas that were incredibly successful in his day, others are only occasionally still performed. Still, his music is catchy, always tuneful, and has a compelling, irresistible rhythmic drive. Today's show includes the famous aria by Figaro and the overture to William Tell (think Lone Ranger!). Also on the programme are pieces by Borodin (Strangers in Paradise), Johann Strauss, a.k.a., the Waltz King, Respighi, and Chopin, and a beautiful sonata for piano and violin by Beethoven