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Archives Find past shows by date:  Complete archive Your purchase from Public Radio Market helps support the American Composers Forum and Composers Datebook.  |
December 17-23, 2007
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Monday, December 17
"Leif" Insurance for Schubert? ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Symphony No. 9 Berlin Philharmonic; Karl Böhm, cond. DG 419 318 & Jón Leifs (1899-1968): Fine I, Op. 55 & Fine II, Op. 56 Iceland Symphony; Petri Sakari, cond. Chandos 9433 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Jón Leifs ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1749—Italian composer Domenico Cimarosa, in Aversa; 1894—American conductor Arthur Fiedler, in Boston; 1904 —Soviet composer Dimtri Kabalevsky, in St. Petersburg (Gregorian date: Dec. 30); Deaths: 1562—Flemish composer Adrian Willaert, age. c. 72, in Venice; 1870—Italian composer Giuseppe Saverio Mercadante, age 75, in Naples; 1930—British composer Peter Warlock (Philip Heseltine), age 36, commits suicide in London; Premieres: 1737 — Handel: anthem “The Ways of Zion do Mourn” in London at King Henry VII’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey, during the funeral service for Queen Caroline , a major patroness of Handel’s (Gregorian date: Dec. 28); 1853 — Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C, Op. 1, and "Scherzo" in eb, at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, by the composer at his public debut during a chamber concert of the David Quartet; 1865 — Schubert: "Unfinished" Symphony in b (No. "8") in Vienna, Johann von Herbeck conducting; For this performance, the last movement of Schubert's Symphony No. 3 was appended as a finale; 1879 — Dvorák: String Quartet No. 10, Op. 51, in Prague; 1887 — Rimsky-Korsakov: “Capriccio Espagnol,” in St. Petersburg, by the Russian Symphony, with the composer conducting (see Julian date: Dec. 5); 1937 — Miaskovsky: Symphony No. 17, in Moscow; 1953 — Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, by the Leningrad Philharmonic, Yevgeny Mravinsky conducting; 1954 — Persichetti: Symphony No. 4, by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting;
Tuesday, December 18
Contrasting premieres by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): The Nutcracker Ballet, Op. 71 Kirov Orchestra; Valery Gergiev, cond. Philips 462 114 & Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975): Symphony No. 13, Op. 113 (Babi Yar) Nicola Ghiuselev, bass; Choral Arts Society of Washington; National Symphony; Mstislav Rostropovich, cond. Erato 85529 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Tchaikovsky On Shostakovich ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1860—American composer and pianist Edward MacDowell, in New York City; Deaths: 1869—American composer and piano virtuoso Louis Moreau Gottschalk, age 40, in Tijuca (near Rio de Janerio); 1919—American composer and teacher, Horatio William Parker, age 56, in Cedarhurst, N.Y.; He became chairman of the Yale music department in 1894, where he taught the young Charles Ives; Premieres: 1795 — possible premiere of Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15 (or less likely, his Concerto No. 2 in Bb), in Vienna at a concert organized by Haydn to perform three of his "London" Symphonies in that city; 1880 — Tchaikovsky: "Capriccio italien," in Moscow, Nikolai Rubinstein conducting (Julian date: Dec. 6); 1892 — Bruckner: Symphony No. 8, with Vienna Philharmonic, Hans Richter conducting; This performance used a revised and cut version of Bruckner's original 1887 score prepared by the composer and his pupil Franz Schalk in 1889-90; The original 1887 score was first performed in 1973 by the Bournemouth Symphony for a BBC broadcast conducted by Hans-Hubert Schönzeler; The edition prepared by Robert Haas, which is based on the 1889-90 revised version but with the cuts restored, is the version most often performed today; 1892 — Tchaikovsky: ballet, "The Nutcracker," and opera "Iolanta," at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg (Julian date: Dec. 6); 1911 — Rachmaninoff: 13 Piano Preludes, Op. 32, in St. Petersburg, by the composer (Julian date: Dec. 5); 1924 — Bliss: Concerto for Two Pianos, by the Boston Symphony, Serge Koussevitzsky conducting; 1926 — Janácek: opera "The Makropoulos Case," in Brno at the National Theater; 1929 — Webern: Symphony for Chamber Orchestra, in New York City; 1941 — Milhaud: Piano Concero No. 2, in Chicago, with the composer as soloist; 1962 — Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 ("Babi Yar"), by the Moscow Philharmonic, with basso Vitaliy Gromadsky, and the bass voices of the Republican State and Gnesin Institute Choirs, Kirill Kondrashin conducting; 1964 — Creston: Concerto for Koto and Orchestra, by Kimio Eto (Koto soloist), with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conducting; 1994 — Morten Lauridsen: “O Magnum Mysterium” for chorus, at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Paul Salamunovich conducting; 1999 — André Previn: "Three Dickinson Songs," in Quebec, Canada, by soprano Renée Fleming and pianist Richard Bado; Other: 1732—John Rich opens his "Theatre Royal, Covent Garden" in London (Julian date: Dec. 7).
Wednesday, December 19
Wendy Carlos "synthesizes" Purcell and Bach ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Henry Purcell (arr. Wendy Carlos): Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary Wendy Carlos, synthesizers Eastside Digital 81362 & J.S. Bach (arr. Wendy Carlos): Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 Wendy Carlos, synthesizers CBS/Sony 42309 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Wendy Carlos ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1676—French composer and organist, Louis Nicolas Clérambault, in Paris; 1825—American composer George Frederick Bristow, in Brooklyn, N.Y.; 1894—German composer Paul Dessau, in Hamburg; Premieres: 1865 — Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphony No. 1, in St. Petersburg (Gregorian date: Dec. 31); 1873 — Tchaikovsky: symphonic fantasia "The Tempest" (after Shakespeare), in Moscow (Julian date: Dec. 7); 1890 — Tchaikovsky: opera, "Pique Dame," in St. Petersburg, at the Mariinsky Theatre, Eduard Napravnik conducting (Julian date: Dec. 7); 1919 — Griffes: "The White Peacock" (orchestral version), by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conducting; 1930 — American premiere of Stravinsky: "Symphony of Psalms," by the Boston Symphony under Serge Koussevitzky (who commissioned the work to celebrate the Boston Symphony's 50th Anniversary); The world premiere had occurred in Brussels on December 13, 1930, conducted by Ernest Ansermet; 1991 — Corigliano: opera "The Ghosts of Versailles," in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera; 2002 — Rodion Shchedrin: “The Enchanted Wanderer” for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra, by the New York Choral Artists and New York Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel conducting;
Thursday, December 20
Mozart in Salzburg, Bloch in America ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Violin Concerto No. 5 Jean-Jacques Kantorow, violin; Netherlands Chamber Orchestra; Leopold Hager, cond. Denon 7504 & Ernest Bloch (1880-1959): America: An Epic Rhapsody Seattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, cond. Delos 3135 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Mozart On Bloch ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1871—American composer and conductor Henry Hadley, in Somerville, Massachusetts; 1909—Danish composer Vagn Holmboe, in Horsens, eastern Jutland; 1938—American composer and conductor John Harbison, in Orange, New Jersey; Deaths: 1738—French composer Jean Joseph Mouret, age 56, in Charenton; 1783—Spanish composer and organist Padre Antonio Soler, age 54, at the monastery of El Escorial; 1974—French composer André Jolivet, age 69, in Paris; Premieres: 1721 — Handel: opera "Floridante" (Julian date: Dec. 9); 1823 — Schubert: incidental music to "Rosamunde," in Vienna, at the Theater an der Wien; 1879 — Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suite No. 1, in Moscow (Julian date: Dec. 8); 1886 — Brahms: Piano Trio No. 3 in c, Op. 101, in Budapest; The work was also presented in Vienna on February 26, 1887, by members of the Heckmann Quartet with the composer at the piano; 1890 — Glazunov: Symphony No. 3, in Sat. Petersbur (Julian date: Dec. 8); 1928 — Bloch: "America," in New York City; 1959 — Stravinsky: "Double Canon (Raoul Dufy in memoriam)" in New York at Town Hall, during a Stravinsky Festival; 1999 — Harbison: opera "The Great Gatsby," at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, with a cast including Jerry Hadley as Gatsby and Dawn Upshaw as Daisy, with James Levine conducting; Other: 1775—Mozart finishes his Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K. 219, in Salzburg; The work was probably premiered soon after, with the composer as soloist; 1915—Stravinsky's public debut as a conductor, leading a performance of his "Firebird" Ballet Suite at a benefit concert organized by Diaghilev in Geneva, Switzerland;
Friday, December 21
Schoenberg in Vienna and New York ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951): String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10 Borealis Ensemble Victoria 19088 & J.S.Bach (arr Schoenberg): Chorale Prelude Adorn thyself, O my Soul Houston Symphony; Christoph Eschenbach, cond. RCA 68658 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Schoenberg ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1837—Russian composer Mily Balakirev (Gregorian date: Jan. 2); 1850—Bohemian composer Zdenek Fibich, in Vseborice; 1940—American composer and guitarist Frank Zappa, in Baltimore, Maryland; Deaths: 1864 —American composer and journalist William Henry Fry, age 51, in Santa Cruz, West Indies; 1890—Danish composer Niels W. Gade, in Copenhagen, age 73; 1957—British light-music composer Eric Coates, age 71, in Chichester; Premieres: 1890 — Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (final version), in Vienna, Hans Richter conducting; 1900 — Frederick Converse: “The Festival of Pan” for orchestra, by the Boston Symphony, Wilhelm Gericke conducting; 1903 — Glazunov: Symphony No. 7, in St. Petersburg (Gregorian date: Jan. 3); 1908 — Schoenberg: Quartet No. 2 for strings and soprano, in Vienna, by the Rosé Quartet with soprano Marie Gutheil-Schoder; 1934 — Prokofiev: "Lieutenant Kijé" Suite (from the film), on a Moscow radio broadcast; 1934 — Toch: “Big Ben (Variation Fantasy on the Westminster Chimes)” for orchestra, by the Boston Symphony, Serge Koussevitzky conducting; 1939 — Prokofiev: cantata "Zdravitza" (A Toast), in Moscow, to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin;
Saturday, December 22
A Beethoven marathon in Vienna ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Für Elise Alfred Brendel, piano Philips 412 227 & Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 5 & No. 6 Concertgebouw Orchestra; Bernard Haitink, cond. Philips 442 076 & Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Piano Concerto No. 4 Gerhard Oppitz, piano; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra; Marek Janowski, cond. RCA 68427 & Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Choral Fantasia in c Menahem Pressler, p; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra; Kurt Masur, cond. Philips 438 005 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: More on Beethoven ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1723—German composer and gamba player Carl Friedrich Abel, in Cöthen; 1821—Italian composer, doublebass player and conductor Giovanni Bottesini, in Crema; 1858—Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, in Lucca; 1874—Austrian composer Franz Schmidt, in Pressburg (Bratislava); 1883—French-born American composer Edgard (or Edgar) Varèse, in Paris; 1885—American composer and critic Deems Taylor, in New York City; 1900—British composer Alan Bush, in Dulwich, South London; 1901—Russian-born American conductor and arranger André Kostelanetz, in St. Petersburg; Deaths: 1745—Czech composer Jan Dismas Zelenka, age 66, during the night of December 22-23, age 66, in Dresden; 1950—American composer and conductor Walter Damrosch, age 88, in New York City; Premieres: 1808 — Beethoven: Symphonies 5 and 6 along with the Choral Fantasy and the Piano Concerto No. 4, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, with composer as conductor and piano soloist; 1837 — Lortzing: opera "Zar und Zimmermann" (Csar and Carpenter), in Leipzig at the Stadttheater; 1888 — Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in d, Op. 108, in Budapest; 1906 — Glazunov: Symphony No. 8, in St. Petersburg (Julian date: Dec. 9);
Sunday, December 23
Humperdinck's version of "Into the Woods?" ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Englebert Humperdinck (1854-1921): Hansel and Gretel Suite Royal Philharmonic; Rudolf Kempe, cond. EMI 68736 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: More on Humperdinck ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1689—French composer Joseph Bodin de Boismorter, in Thionville; 1906—American composer Ross Lee Finney, in Wells, Minn.; Premieres: 1785 — Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in Eb (K. 482), in Vienna as the entr'acte at a performance of the oratorio "Ester" by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf conducted by Antonio Salieri; Mozart was the soloist in his Concerto, and it is possible that Salieri conducted both the oratorio and Mozart's new concerto; 1806 — Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, by the orchestra of Vienna's Theater an der Wien, with its music director and concertmaster, Franz Clement, as the soloist and the composer conducting; The concert also included works by Méhul, Mozart, Cherubini, and Handel; 1880 — Dvorák: oratorio "Stabat Mater," in Prague; 1887 — Chadwick: “Melpomene” overture, by the Boston Symphony, Wilhelm Gericke conducting; 1893 — Humperdinck: opera "Hansel and Gretel," in Weimar at the Hoftheater; 1894 — Debussy: Prelude to "The Afternoon of a Faun," at a concert of the Societé Nationale de Musique (not presented in ballet form until 1912); 1911 — Wolf-Ferrari: opera "Jewels of the Madonna," in Berlin; 1952 — Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues for piano (part one of a two-part recital), in Leningrad, by pianist Tatyana Nikolayeva; See also Dec. 28th; Other: 1989—Leonard Bernstein leads first of two public performances of Beethoven's Ninth at the Philharmonie in West Berlin, with an international orchestra assembled to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall; The second performance occurred on December 25 at the Schauspielhaus in East Berlin; |
