Dr. Paul's potpourri
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
Today's show is a potpourri in two senses of the word. It's both a melange of a choice diversity of musical pieces, and it's a program that fills the air with beauty for your ears in much the same way that a collection of dried rose petals fills the air with fragrant beauty for your nose. Dr. Paul wanted to broadcast for you pieces that are not easily categorized, from composers who are not always familiar, and with pieces that are seldom heard. And yet, every one is a winner. Though known primarily for smaller works for piano solo, Chopin composed his second piano concerto on a grand scale. Here it is played by the incomparable Chopinist, Artur Rubinstein. There are also included some salon songs by the bel canto composers, Donizetti and Bellini. There is an unusual duet for double bass and violincello by Rossini, as well as a lovely flute concerto by the baroque era composer Pergolesi. You will hear the lively Roumanian rhapsody by Enesco, the mysterious gymnopedies of the eccentric Frenchman Erik Satie, as well as the elegaic Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Allow Dr. Paul to take you on a scented stroll through some of the most beautiful classical pieces you've never heard!
Today's show starts with the love song, "Give me your hand, Zerlina," from Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni. From there, hypnotic slow movements from larger works by Mozart follow. These include pieces for piano and orchestra, violin and orchestra, piano/violin sonatas, and a flute and harp concerto. Schubert is well represented with a beautiful lullaby, "Mille cherubini in coro" (A thousand cherubs in chorus), several slow movements from Schubert's ouevre for violin and piano, and a stunning movement from Schubert's piano trio #1. You'll also find an enigmatic piece by Scriabin, some light-hearted music by Muzio Clementi, Spanish guitar pieces played by Liona Boyd, and another Mozart aria or two thrown in for good measure. Dr.
Happy New Year! to all listeners and supporters of Dr. Paul's Classics and KDRT. Dr. Paul got an e-mail from above the clouds this week that reminded him that Mozart and Schubert were born in January. So, this month will feature the music of these two very different, but equally inspired composers of Vienna. However, Dr. Paul knows that man does not live by Mozart and Schubert alone, and so he will continue to mix in surprise guest composers with an ear for pieces of ravishing beauty and heart-stopping lyricism. Today's program has a Schubert overture in the Italian style, a Mozart piano trio, a Mozart sonata for two pianos, Schubert's "Arpeggione" sonata for the cello, music by Fritz Kreisler and Chabrier....well, you get the picture! Too much richness and perfection to articulate in full. Listen!
Today's music is calming, contemplative, in keeping with the season of the holidays that approach. Advent, in the Christian tradition, is a time for reflection and preparation for the coming birth of Jesus, the light of the world. In the Jewish tradition, December is the time for The Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, which celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd Century BCE. The world thirsts for light in the approaching solstice, and so the mind goes inward, and reflects on ancient truths that resonate in the music of Vivaldi, Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart that are played in today's program.
The man who changed the course of European classical music is the most popular composer of all time, according to a poll taken by KDFC, long time classical station in the Bay Area (since 1948). His music is, by turns, dynamic, lyrical, gentle, and eternal. Beethoven was born in the month of December, so he will be our featured composer today (all right, November is almost over) and all month long. Today I played a lovely Beethoven sonata for piano and cello, as well as his monumental triple concerto for piano, violin, and cello, featuring superstar Yo-Yo Ma. Next week, I plan more Beethoven: any suggestions? How about the Fifth Symphony? The Ninth? Suggest a piece by submitting a comment.
