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- The Carnival of the Animals, CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) The Carnival of the Animals January 31, 2010 – Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, flute; Stephen Williamson, clarinet; Yoon Kwon, violin; Abraham Appleman, viola; Joel Noyes, cello; Timothy Cobb, bass; Gregory Zuber, xylophone; Gareth Icenogle, narrator Camille Saint-Saëns started life as one of history’s most celebrated child prodigies. His extraordinary level of talent, temperament, and musical knowledge often invited positive comparisons with Felix Mendelssohn. Like Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns composed fluently from his earliest years and became renowned while still a boy as one of the greatest pianists and organists of his day. As adults, both composers became known for their total musicianship, conservative tastes, classically refined sensibilities, and flawless compositional technique. And, like Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns became a highly influential teacher and a well-educated polymath, whose extramusical interests ranged freely across such diverse fields as mathematics, botany, archaeology, poetry, literature, and astrology. Unlike Mendelssohn, however, Camille Saint-Saëns lived long enough to see his musical oeuvre become obsolete. His 86 years spanned two completely different musical eras, beginning during the time of Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms, and ending during the period of Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky and Gershwin. The older he became, the more stubbornly he clung to the music of the past. He grew impatient with forward-looking composers such as Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Richard Strauss, and Vincent D’Indy, and his increasing prickliness often drew critical fire. Fortunately, his innate brilliance and sense of fun always attracted a devoted circle of friends and admirers. In 1886, while vacationing in a small Austrian village, he decided to amuse his friends by composing the delightful zoölogical fantasy The Carnival of the Animals. Although the piece was a hit with his colleagues, Saint-Saëns became concerned that it would be considered too frivolous by the public at large and might even harm his reputation as a “serious” composer. With the exception of the touching cello solo, The Swan, he allowed only private performances of The Carnival of the Animals during his lifetime. After his death in 1921, the piece was finally published, and it quickly became one of Saint-Saëns’ most popular works. Inside jokes abound, as Saint-Saëns often pokes fun at other composers by inserting sly, incongruous musical references into the various animals’ portraits. The Tortoise, for instance, takes the frenetic, high kicking Can-Can from Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld and transforms it into a laggardly dirge. Similarly, The Elephant lumbers through ponderous versions of Hector Berlioz’s delicate Dance of the Sylphs and Mendelssohn’s gossamer Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Nor is Saint-Saëns above poking fun at himself. In The Fossils he parodies his own maniacal waltz Danse Macabre, turning the original xylophone solo into a rackety, duple-meter skeleton dance. In the end, no one escapes entirely unscathed, least of all his critics, who are portrayed as asses in “People with Long Ears,” and whom we hear braying away toward the end of the whirlwind Finale. By Michael Parloff Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Chanson d’avril and La coccinelle, GEORGES BIZET (1838-1875)
GEORGES BIZET (1838-1875) Chanson d’avril and La coccinelle February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Despite Bizet’s primary preoccupation with composing opera, he also wrote more than fifty songs for voice and piano, many of which have stood the test of time because of their fresh contribution to the genre of French mélodie (art song). He built on the style of his teacher, Charles Gounod, but he managed to imbue his songs with more scenic flair and more unusual harmonies and textures. One imagines that if Bizet’s life had not been cut tragically short, he could have produced a body of songs that rivaled those of Fauré, Duparc, and Chabrier, all of whose best songs date from after Bizet’s death. Bizet’s most well-known songs appear in the 1873 collection Vingt (20) mélodies , though most of them had been published before. His somewhat lesser-known but equally great collection, Feuilles d’album (Album leaves), contains six songs all composed in 1866 and published the following year. His final collection (Seize [16] mélodies ), published posthumously in 1883, contains mostly adaptions he made between 1873 and 1875 from unfinished and unperformed operas. His choice of poets demonstrates his amazingly wide-ranging literary tastes, and his dedications include a large circle of friends and colleagues—mainly singers, both professional and amateur. Even when writing in a virtuosic vein his songs are grateful to sing. Bizet composed the charming, graceful “Chanson d’avril” (April song) by 1871 for mezzo-soprano Anna Banderali, wife of composer Grat-Norbert (Adrien) Barth, who a dozen years earlier had beaten out Bizet for the Prix Edouard Rodrigues. Like many of Bizet songs it is strophic, this time in two verses, with a constantly rustling piano part that suggests the stirring of spring and provides a perfect foil for the smoother vocal lines. “La coccinelle” (The ladybug) dates from June of 1868, written for amateur singer Fanny Bouchet. Bizet’s setting provides a perfect example of his ability to create an entire scene within a song. He carefully delineates three characters—in the opening recitative we meet the girl who is the object of the boy’s affection, then for most of the narrative he recounts his missed opportunity for a kiss in a lighthearted waltz as if they are at a dance, and finally the ladybug teases him in her own little song. He concludes with soaring regret and a rueful “I should have.” © Jane Vial Jaffe Texts and Translations Chanson d’avril Lève-toi! lève-toi! le printemps vient de naître. Là-bas, sur les vallons, flotte un réseau vermeil. Tout frissonne au jardin, tout chante, et ta fenêtre, Comme un regard joyeux, est pleine de soleil.Du côté des lilas aux touffes violettes, Mouches et papillons bruïssent à la fois; Et le muguet sauvage, ébranlant ses clochettes, A réveillé l’amour endormi dans les bois.Puisque avril a semé ses marguerites blanches, Laisse ta mante lourde et ton manchon frileux; Déja l’oiseau t’appelle, et tes sœurs les pervenches Te souriront dans l’herbe en voyant tes yeux bleus.Viens partons! Au matin la source est plus limpide;N’attendons pas du jour les brûlantes chaleurs, Je veux mouiller mes pieds dans la rosée humide, Et te parler d’amour sous les poiriers en fleurs!—Louis Bouilhet April Song Get up! Get up! Spring is just born. Yonder above the valleys floats a vermilion space. Everything quivers in the garden, everything sings, and your window, like a joyful glance, is full of sun.Beside the lilacs with their purple clusters, flies and butterflies buzz together; and the wild lily-of-the-valley, ringing its bells, has awakened love asleep in the woods.Since April has sown its white daisies, leave aside your heavy coat and your cosy muff; already the bird is calling you, and your sisters the periwinkles will smile in the grass at you on seeing your blue eyes.Come, lets go! In the morning the spring is more limpid; let us not wait for the burning heats of the day, I want to wet my feet in the damp dew, and to talk to you of love beneath the flowering pear trees! La coccinelle Elle me dit: “Quelque chose “Me tourmente.” Et j’aperçus Son cou de neige, et, dessus, Un petit insecte rose.J’aurais dû,—mais, sage ou fou, A seize ans, on est farouche,— Voir le baiser sur sa bouche Plus que l’insecte à son cou.On eût dit un coquillage; Dos rose et taché de noir. Les fauvettes pour nous voir Se penchaient dans le feuillage.Sa bouche fraîche était là; Hélas! Je me penchai sur la belle, Et je pris la coccinelle; Mais le baiser s’envola.“Fils, apprends comme on me nomme,” Dit l’insecte du ciel bleu, “Les bêtes sont au bon Dieu; “Mais la bêtise est à l’homme.” —Victor Hugo The Ladybug She told me: “Something torments me.” And I saw her snow-white neck, and, on it, A small rose-colored insect.I should,—but wise or mad, at sixteen, one is shy,— have seen the kiss on her mouth more than the insect on her neck.It looked like a shell, rosy back and spotted with black. The warblers to see us better stretched out their necks in the foliage.Her fresh mouth was there; alas! I leaned over the beautiful girl, and I removed the ladybug, but the kiss flew away.“Son, learn what they call me,” said the insect from the blue sky, “Creatures belong to the good Lord, but foolishness belongs to man.” Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Selections from Suite bergamasque, arranged for two harps, CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Selections from Suite bergamasque, arranged for two harps December 18, 2016: Mariko Anraku, harp; Emmanuel Ceysson, harp Debussy was enchanted by the poetry of Paul Verlaine. Around 1890 he began composing a series of piano pieces that would become his Suite bergamasque , titled after a line of Verlaine’s famous poem Clair de lune . The poem had appeared in an 1869 collection entitled Fêtes galantes , which had been inspired by the paintings of Watteau and his followers. In these paintings, idealized landscapes of parks and gardens in the twilight are often populated by revelers in costumes of the tragic-comic characters of the commedia dell-arte—Harlequin, Pierrot, Colombine, and company—a form of theater that began in sixteenth-century Italy. Verlaine’s collection also provided texts for a number of Debussy’s songs before he returned to the piano pieces for revision and publication as Suite bergamasque in 1905. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the word bergamasque (or bergomask) referred to a fantasia or set of instrumental variations based on a folk dance—Shakespeare’s rustic characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream , for example, dance a bergomask. Presumably that folk dance had some connection with the Bergamo district in northern Italy. Further, the character of the Harlequin is described as a mischievous servant from Bergamo. By Verlaine’s and Debussy’s time there was no evident connection with the bergomask’s traditional tune or harmonic scheme, but the association with a folk dance and the commedia dell’arte lingered. Debussy’s Suite bergamasque consists of four movements, Prélude, Menuet, Clair de lune, and Passepied, of which we hear I, III, and IV, arranged for two harps by Matthieu Martin. The Prélude opens with unhurried nobility, achieving Debussy’s aim of sounding improvisatory. This introductory idea leads to a stronger, chordally moving main theme, followed by a delicately textured second theme. The middle section develops both themes, with a kind of recapitulation that deals only with the opening introductory idea and the stronger main theme. The outline of sonata form, however, remains secondary to the lovely sense of improvisation or “Impressionism” that Debussy creates. Originally titled “Promenade sentimentale” after another Verlaine poem, the third piece became Clair de lune (Moonlight) when Debussy polished the Suite bergamasque for publication in 1905. Since then the piece has taken on a life of its own, having become extraordinarily popular and, sad to say, trivialized. Its luminous qualities and inspired construction, however, should inspire listeners to look beyond its familiarity. That amazing opening—how it just hangs there then gently descends as silvery light from the moon—is pure genius. Its rhythmic freedom gives the feeling of floating as does the delay of the anchoring pitch of the home key. Debussy, like his contemporary Ravel, was justly famous for his water imagery. The rippling central section no doubt responds to the line in Verlaine’s poem describing the moonlight bringing sobs of ecstasy to the fountains. The ending is magical—Debussy fragments the theme as moonlight would be broken up by shadows and allows it to die away in a haunting final cadence. A passepied was a French court dance of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in triple time, much like a minuet but faster, with fairly constant motion in eighth- or sixteenth-notes. For his Passepied, Debussy opted instead for a moderate tempo and 4/4 meter, perhaps reflecting his original title, Pavane, which refers to a stately court dance. He most likely changed the name after deciding that his piece was too active for a Pavane, but also to avoid comparison with Fauré’s influential Pavane, op. 50. It seems he was not worried about comparison with another source of inspiration—the Passepied from Delibes’s pastiche of “ancient” dances for Le roi s’amuse , which had long been available in piano transcription. Whatever the case, Debussy’s piece, unfolding in a kind of modified rondo form, shows a fascinating mix of the constant motion of a passepied and a profusion of contrasting melodies, all bathed in a kind of modal sonority that hints at older times while proclaiming Debussy’s Impressionistic orientation. © Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
- PARLANCE PROGRAM NOTES | PCC
PARLANCE PROGRAM NOTES LE NUOVE MUSICHE: The Baroque Revolution (1550 - 1660) LE NUOVE MUSICHE: The Baroque Revolution (1550 - 1660) – April 7, 2024: Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI Samuel Adams (1985) Impromptu: After Schubert (Premiere Performance ) – February 26, 2017: Emanuel Ax, piano Bruce Adolphe (1955) Memory Believes (a requiem) for string quartet and chamber choir (World Premiere) – December 3, 2023 Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909) Asturias – November 2, 2014: Sharon Isbin, guitar American Songbook Arlen: I Wonder What Became of Me; Gershwin: Our Love is Here to Stay; Weill: Youkali – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Juan Arañéz (died c. 1649) Chacona (“La Vida Bona”) – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Anton Arensky (1861-1906) Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32 – January 27, 2019: Pinchas Zukerman Trio C.P.E. Bach (1714–1788) Suite in E minor Wq 62/12 – April 24, 2022 – Marc-André Hamlein, piano Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Adagio and Presto from Sonata in G minor, BWV for solo violin – April 3, 2016: Sean Lee, violin Air from Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D arr. for four cellos – September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, Carter Brey, Rafael Figueroa, and Zvi Plesser, cellos Air on the G String (from Suite in D, BWV 1068) for flute, strings, and continuo – April 3, 2016: Sir James Galway, flute; Benjamin Beilman and Danbi Um, violins; Mark Holloway, viola; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Timothy Cobb, bass; Paolo Bourdignon, harpsichord Air on the G String from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 , arr. for organ by Smith Newell Penfield Arioso from Cantata, BWV 156 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048 – March 24, 2019: Kristin Lee, violin; Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violin; Pierre Lapointe, viola; Dov Scheindlin, viola; Maurycy Banszek, viola; Edward Arron, cello; Mihai Marica, cello; Joel Noyes, cello; Tim Cobb, bass; Gilles Vonsattel, harpsichord Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, BWV 1049 for two flutes, solo violin, strings, and continuo – April 3, 2016: Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, flutes; Benjamin Beilman solo violin; Sean Lee and Danbi Um, violins; Mark Holloway, viola; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Timothy Cobb, bass; Paolo Bourdignon, harpsichord Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, BWV 1051 – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 – September 26, 2021: Viola Soloists: Paul Neubauer and Arnaud Sussmann Chorale Prelude “Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ”, BWV 639 (arr. Busoni) – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Chorale Prelude “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”, BWV 645 (arr. Busoni) – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue, BWV 903 – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Concerto in D Minor after Vivaldi, BWV 596 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Double Concerto for Two Flutes in D minor, BWV 1043, arr. by Denis Bouriakov (Denis and Erin Bouriakov, flutes) – December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Double Violin Concerto in D Minor BWV 1043 – March 24, 2019: Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violins; Sarah Crocker Vonsattel, violin; Kristin Lee, violin; Pierre Lapointe, viola; Mihai Marica, cello; Tim Cobb, bass; Gilles Vonsattel, harpsichord French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Goldberg Variations BWV 988 – October 29, 2017: Peter Serkin, piano I follow you with Joyful Steps from St. John Passion for soprano, 2 flutes, and continuo – April 3, 2016: Ying Fang, soprano; Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, flutes; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Paolo Bourdignon, harpsichord Italian Concerto, BWV 971 – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Jesus soll mein erstes Wort from Cantata 171 for soprano, violin and continuo – April 3, 2016: Ying Fang, soprano; Sean Lee, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Paolo Bordignon, harpsichord Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Piano Concerto in D Minor for BWV 1052 – March 24, 2019: Gilles Vonsattel, solo piano; Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violin; Wen Qian, violin; Kristin Lee, violin; Sarah Crocker Vonsattel, violin; Ming-Feng Hsin, violin; Dov Scheindlin, viola; Pierre Lapointe, viola; Mihai Marica, cello; Edward Arron, cello; Joel Noyes, cello; Tim Cobb, bass Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 547 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Prelude from Suite for Cello in D, BWV 1012 – March 24, 2019: Edward Arron, cello Prelude from Violin Partita in E, BWV 1006 – March 24, 2019: Kristin Lee, violin Preludio from Partita No. 3 arrg. for 3 violins & viola – May 6, 2018: Oliver Neubauer, violin; Clara Neubauer, violin; Kerry McDermott, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 (arr. Petri) – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Sheep Safely Graze, from Cantata 208 for soprano, two flutes, and continuo – April 3, 2016: Ying Fang, soprano; Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, flutes; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Paolo Bordignon, harpsichord Sinfonia from Cantata, BWV 29 (arr. Marcel Dupre) – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Sonata in E, BWV 1035 for flute and continuo – April 3, 2016: Sir James Galway, flute; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Paolo Bourdignon, harpsichord Suite in B minor, BWV 1067 for flute, strings, and continuo – April 3, 2016: Sir James Galway, flute; Benjamin Beilman and Danbi Um, violins; Mark Holloway, viola; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Timothy Cobb, bass; Paolo Bourdignon, harpsichord Suite in E minor, BWV 996 for solo guitar – September 25, 2016: Jason Vieaux, guitar Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (Notes coming soon!) — March 22, 2020: Paul Jacobs Organ Toccata in C minor, BWV 911 – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Toccata in D, BMV 912 – March 19, 2023 – Rachel Naomi Kudo, piano Trio Sonata in E Minor, BWV 528 – December 5, 2021: Paul Jacobs, organ Trio Sonata No. 6 in G major, BMV 530 (Notes coming soon!) — March 22, 2020: Paul Jacobs Organ Violin and Piano Sonata in E, BWV 1016 – March 24, 2019: Sarah Crocker Vonsattel, violin; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Vor deinen Thron tret’ ich hiermit arr. for four cellos by Finckel Cello Quartet – September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, Carter Brey, Rafael Figueroa, and Zvi Plesser, cellos Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Adagio for Strings – December 16, 2018: Emerson Quartet Adagio from String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11 – January 10, 2010: Emerson String Quartet Hermit Songs, Op. 29 – March 29, 2015: Matthew Polenzani, tenor; Ken Noda, piano Steven Banks (1993) As I Am – November 20, 2022 – Steven Banks, saxophone, Xak Bjerken, piano Come As You Are – November 20, 2022 – Steven Banks, saxophone, Xak Bjerken, piano Amy Barlowe Hebraique Elegie for two violins – February 20, 2022: Paul Huang; Danbi Um, violins Jean Barrière (1707-1747) Allegro prestissimo from Sonata in G for two cellos – September 29, 2024: Carter Grey and Edward Arron, cellos Béla Bartók (1881–1945) Contrasts, BB 116 – October 5, 2014: Osmo Vänska, clarinet; Erin Keefe, violin; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Rhapsody No. 1 for cello and piano – May 21, 2023 – Zlatomir Fung, cello, Albert Cano Smit, piano Sonata No. 2, Sz 76 (1922) – March 11, 2018: Benjamin Beilman, Violin; Orion Weiss, piano Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) Adelaide, Op. 46 – March 29, 2015: Matthew Polenzani, tenor; Ken Noda, piano Allegretto WoO – December 4, 2022 – Sitkovetsky Trio Cavatina from String Quartet in B-flat, Op. 130 – December 3, 2023 – Brentano String Quartet; Antioch Chamber Ensemble Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 5, No. 2 – June 19, 2022: Amanda Forsyth; Shai Wosner, piano Cello Sonata No. 3 in A, Op. 69 (Notes coming soon!) – June 7, 2020: Amanda Forsyth, cello; Angela Cheng, piano “Eyeglasses” Duo in E-flat, WoO 32 for viola and cello (Notes coming soon!) – June 6, 2020: Matthew Lipman, viola; Amanda Forsyth, cello Kakadu Variations, Op. 121a – January 27, 2019: Pinchas Zukerman Trio Fantasia in G minor, Op. 77 – January 19, 2020: Paul Lewis, piano Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier“ – April 24, 2022 – Marc-André Hamlein, piano Piano Trio in E-flat (“Archduke”), Op. 97 – June 19, 2022: Zukerman Trio Piano Trio in G, Op. 1, No. 2 – December 4, 2022 – Sitkovetsky Trio Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95 (“Serioso”) – March 26, 2017: Jerusalem String Quartet Romance in F, Op. 50 for violin and piano – September 24, 2017: Sean Lee, violin; Michael Brown, piano Seven Variations on Bei Männern from Mozart's Magic Flute for cello and piano - September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, cello; Jeewon Park, piano Six Bagatelles from Op. 119 - March, 10 2024: Richard Goode, piano Sonata No. 4 in C, Op. 102, for cello & piano – December 13, 2015: Paul Watkins, cello; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major, Op. 27, no. 1, “Quasi una fantasia” – January 19, 2020: Paul Lewis, piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2, “Quasi una fantasia” (“Moonlight”) – January 19, 2020: Paul Lewis, piano Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47, (Kreutzer) for violin & piano – December 13, 2015: Kristin Lee, violin; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96 (1812) – March 11, 2018: Benjamin Beilman, Violin; Orion Weiss, piano Sonata No. 10 in G, Op. 96 for violin and piano – April 19, 2009: Elmar Oliveira, violin; John Novacek, piano Sonata No. 30 in E, Op. 109 - March, 10 2024: Richard Goode, piano String Quartet in C# minor, Op. 131 – April 8, 2018: Danish String Quartet String Quartet in D, Op. 18, No. 3 – April 8, 2018: Danish String Quartet String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 127 – January 4, 2015: Emerson String Quartet String Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2 – October 20, 2024: Modigliani Quartet String Quartet in F, Op. 59, No. 1 – April 8, 2018: Danish String Quartet String Trio in G, Op. 9, No. 1 (Notes coming soon!) – June 6, 2020: Pinchas Zukerman, violin; Matthew Lipman, viola; Amanda Forsyth, cello The Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 - March, 10 2024: Richard Goode, piano Trio in D, Op. 70, No. 1 (Ghost) for violin, cello, & piano – December 13, 2015: Kristin Lee, violin; Paul Watkins, cello; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 1, No. 1 – October 30, 2016: Wu Han, piano; Philip Setzer, violin; David Finckel, cello Trio No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 1 – October 30, 2016: Wu Han, piano; Philip Setzer, violin; David Finckel, cello Violin Sonata No. 3 in E-flat major. Op. 12, No. 3 – February 20, 2022: Paul Huang, violin; Juho Pohjonen Violin Sonata No. 5 in F (“Spring), Op. 24 – June 19, 2022: Pinchas Zukerman, violin; Shai Wosner, piano Violin Sonata No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3 (Notes coming soon!)- May 3, 2020: Paul Huang, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Les nuits d’été, op. 7 – April 23, 2017: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Warren Jones, piano Georges Bizet (1838-1875) Chanson d’Avril – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano La Coccinelle – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Three Songs – September 27, 2009: Danielle de Niese, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) Cello Sonata No. 6 in A, G. 4 – September 26, 2021: Cello Soloist: Nicholas Canellakis Quartet in C, Op. 2, No. 6 - October 27, 2019: Quartetto di Cremona Quintet in D for guitar and string - September 25, 2016: Jason Vieaux, guitar; Escher String Quartet Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) String Quartet No. 2 in D – January 14, 2024: Goldmund Quartet Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Ballades, Op. 10 – October 14, 2018: Garrick Ohlsson, piano Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 38 – April 2, 2023 – Paul Watkins, cello, Boris Berman, piano Eight Pieces, Op. 76 – October 14, 2018: Garrick Ohlsson, piano Klavierstücke, Op. 118 – October 4, 2015: Richard Goode, piano Klavierstücke, Op. 119 – October 4, 2015: Richard Goode, piano Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34 – October 5, 2014: Arnaud Sussmann and Erin Keefe violins; Hsin-Yun Huang, viola; Rafael Figueroa, cello; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Piano Trio No. 2 in C, Op. 87 – January 27, 2019: Pinchas Zukerman Trio Sextet for Strings No. 2 in G, Op. 36 – October 20, 2022 – Emerson String Quartet Sonata in E-Flat, Op. 120, for viola and piano – September 27, 2009: Lawrence Dutton, viola; Ken Noda, piano Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 100 – November 15, 2015: Jeremy Denk, piano; Stefan Jackiw, violin String Quartet in B-flat, Op. 67 – October 20, 2024: Modigliani Quartet Three Intermezzos for piano, Op. 117 – April 2, 2023 – Boris Berman, piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8, for violin, cello, and piano – October 18, 2009: David Chan, violin; Jeewon Park, piano, Rafael Figueroa, cello Trio in A minor, Op. 114, for viola, cello, and piano – April 2, 2023 – Ettore Causa, viola, Paul Watkins, cello, Boris Berman, piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 40 for violin, horn, and piano – May 12, 2024: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano; Chee-Yun, violin; Brad Gemeinhardt Variations on a Hungarian Theme, Op. 21, No. 2 – October 14, 2018: Garrick Ohlsson, piano Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1 – October 14, 2018: Garrick Ohlsson, piano Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35, Book 1 – October 14, 2018: Garrick Ohlsson, piano Viola Sonata in E-flat, Op. 120, No. 2 – April 2, 2023 – Ettore Causa, viola, Boris Berman, piano Violin Sonata in A, Op. 100 – May 21, 2023 Kevin Zhu, violin, Albert Cano Smit, piano Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Divertimenti for String Quartet – January 29, 2023, Danish String Quartet Henri Brod (1799 – 1839) Duo from Lucia di Lammermoor, Op. 55 for oboe & cello and piano – September 18, 2022 – Elaine Douvas, oboe, Joel Noyes, cello, Bryan Wagorn, piano Max Bruch (1838-1920) Andante con moto in C# Minor, Op. 83 for clarinet, cello, and piano – April 19, 2009: Jon Manasse, clarinet; Rafael Figueroa, cello; John Novacek, piano Kol Nidrei for cello and piano - February 18, 2024: Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Stephen Brown, piano Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966) Sardana and Jota from Suite for solo cello – September 24, 2017: Rafael Figueroa, cello Suite for Solo Cello – October 18, 2009: Rafael Figueroa, cello Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) Concerto in D, Op. 21 for violin, piano, and string quartet – September 23, 2018: Arnaud Sussmann, solo violin; Michael Brown, piano; Sean Lee, violin; Emily Smith, violin; Matt Lipman, viola; Nick Canellakis, cello Gilad Cohen (Born 1980) Trio for a Spry Clarinet, Weeping Cello and Ruminating Harp – December 18, 2016: Emmanuel Ceyssonu, harp; Jerry Grossman, cello; Inn-hyuck Cho, clarinet “Moonrhymes” (Premiere) for 3 violins, viola and piano – May 6, 2018: Kerry McDermott, violin; Clara Neubauer, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola; Oliver Neubauer, violin; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Four Impromptus, Opp. 29, 36, 51, & 66 – February 26, 2017: Emanuel Ax, piano Four Mazurkas, op. 67 – April 23, 2017: Warren Jones, piano Polonaise Brillante in C, Op. 3 for cello and piano – September 29, 2024: Carter Brey, cello; Jeewon Park, piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 58 – February 26, 2017: Emanuel Ax, piano Valse Brilliante in A flat, Op. 34, No. 1 for piano – September 24, 2017: Michael Brown, piano John Corigliano (Born 1938) Lullaby for Natalie – April 14, 2019: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Jason Vieaux, guitar Archangelo Corelli (1653-1713) Sonata in D minor Op. 5 No. 12 “La Folia” arr. Andy Poxon – April 14, 2019: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin Charles Dancla (1817-1907) Variations on Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman for three violins and viola – May 6, 2018: Kerry McDermott, violin; Clara Neubauer, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola; Oliver Neubauer, violin Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) Le Coucou – November 4, 2018: Lucille Chung, piano Félicien David (1810-1876) La Nuit (arr. Vieuxtemps) for viola and piano – September 24, 2017: Mark Holloway, viola; Michael Brown, piano Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Cello Sonata in D minor, L. 135 – March 13, 2022: Kristin Lee, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Brown, piano Clair de lune – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Danses sacrée et profane, L. 103 for harp and strings – December 18, 2016: Mariko Anraku, harp; David Chan, concertmaster; Catherine Ro, violin; Dov Scheindlin, viola; Rafael Figueroa, cello Hommage à Haydn – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and piano – November 20, 2022 – Steven Banks, saxophone, Xak Bjerken, piano Suite bergamasque arranged for two harps – December 18, 2016: Mariko Anraku, harp; Emmanuel Ceysson, harp Violin Sonata in G minor, L. 140 – March 13, 2022: Kristin Lee, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Brown, piano François Devienne (1759-1803) Flute Concerto No. 7 in E minor – December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Y. Dobon (1916-1996) Zowie! Goes the Weasel for 3 violins and viola – May 6, 2018: Kerry McDermott, violin; Clara Neubauer, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola; Oliver Neubauer, violin Franz and Karl Doppler (1821-1883; 1825-1900) Rigoletto Fantasie for 2 flutes and piano – Seth Morris and Maron Khourey, flutes, Bryan Wagorn, piano John Duke (1899-1984) Three Songs – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Songs My Mother Taught Me, arr. for violin and piano – May 12, 2024: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano; Chee-Yun, violin; Brad Gemeinhardt String Quartet No. 14 in A-Flat, Op. 105 – January 10, 2010: Emerson String Quartet Terzetto in C, Op. 74 or 2 violins and viola – May 6, 2018: Clara Neubauer, violin; Kerry McDermott, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola Quartet No. 12 in F, Op. 96 (American) – November 20, 2016: Frank Huang, concertmaster; Sheryl Staples, principal associate concertmaster; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Carter Brey; cello Quartet No. 13 in G, Op. 106 – March 26, 2017: Jerusalem String Quartet Juan de Encina (1411-1456) Oy Comamos – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Quintet in A minor, Op. 84 for piano and strings – November 20, 2016: Jonathan Biss, piano; Frank Huang, concertmaster; Sheryl Staples, principal associate concertmaster; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Carter Brey; cello English Madrigals John Bennet: All Creatures Now William Byrd: Though Amaryllis Dance Thomas Weelkes: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Thomas Tomkins: Adieu, Ye City-Prisoning Towers John Wilbye: Draw on Sweet Night Thomas Morley: Fyre, Fyre! – December 3, 2023: Brentano String Quartet; Antioch Chamber Ensemble Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) Danse Espagnole from La Vida Breve for violin and piano – September 24, 2017: Emily Daggett Smith, violin; Michael Brown, piano Siete canciones populares españolas – November 2, 2014: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Sharon Isbin, guitar Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas – April 14, 2019: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Jason Vieaux, guitar Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Mélodies – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Romance in B flat, Op. 28 for violin and piano – September 24, 2017: Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Michael Brown, piano César Franck (1822-1890) Sonata in A – November 15, 2015: Jeremy Denk, piano; Stefan Jackiw, violin George Gershwin (1898-1937) Lullaby for string quartet (American) – November 20, 2016: Frank Huang, concertmaster; Sheryl Staples, principal associate concertmaster; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Carter Brey; cello Preludes – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Phillip Glass (Born 1937) Metamorphosis II – April 14, 2019: Jason Vieaux, guitar Georg Goltermann (1824-1898) Serenade Op. 119, No. 2 for four cellos – September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, Carter Brey, Rafael Figueroa, and Zvi Plesser, cellos Enrique Granados (1867–1916) Canciones amatorias – April 23, 2017: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Warren Jones, piano Spanish Dance in E minor, Op. 37, no. 5 – November 2, 2014: Sharon Isbin, guitar Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) Andante con moto for piano trio – October 15, 2023: Lysander Piano Trio Sonata in A Minor, Op. 36, for cello and piano – October 19, 2008: Carter Brey, cello; Warren Jones, piano Marc-André Hamelin Suite à l’ancienne (Suite in the old style) (2020) – April 24, 2022: Marc-André Hamelin, piano Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759) Angels ever bright and fair (from Theodora) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Endless Pleasure (from Semele) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Sonata in G minor, Op. 2, No. 8 for two cellos and piano – September 29, 2024: Zvi Plesser and Rafael Figueroa, cellos; Jeewon Park, piano Two Opera Arias – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Allegro molto from Cello Concerto in C major: Hob. VIIb/1 – September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, Carter Brey, Rafael Figueroa, and Zvi Plesser, cellos Piano Sonata No. 50 in C Hob. XVI: 50 – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet Piano Trio in G, Hob. XV: 25 (“Gypsy”) – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet Quartet in D, Op. 64, No. 5 (“The Lark”) – March 26, 2017: Jerusalem String Quartet String Quartet in B-flat, Op. 76, No. 4 (“Sunrise”) – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet String Quartet in G, Op. 33, No. 5 – October 20, 2022 – Emerson String Quartet String Quartet in G, Op. 77, No. 1 – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet The Seven Last Words of Christ for string quartet – February 17, 2018: Chiara String Quartet Phillip Houghton Opals – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Jenö Hubay (1858-1937) Scenes de la Csarda, No. 3, Op. 18 for violin and piano – September 24, 2017: Danbi Um, violin; Michael Brown, piano Jacques Ibert (1890-1962) Chansons de Don Quichotte – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Charles Ives (1874-1954) Sonata No. 1, S. 60 – November 15, 2015: Jeremy Denk, piano; Stefan Jackiw, violin Sonata No. 4 (Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting), S. 63 – November 15, 2015: Jeremy Denk, piano; Stefan Jackiw, violin Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) Quartet No. 1 (Kreutzer Sonata) – March 6, 2016: The Escher String Quartet Antônio Carlos Jobím (1927-1994) A Felicidade – April 14, 2019: Jason Vieaux, guitar Alan Jay Kernis 100 Great Dance Hits for guitar and string quartet – September 25, 2016: Jason Vieaux, guitar; Escher String Quartet Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) Suite for two violins, cello, and piano (left hand) – February 12, 2023 – Gloria Chien, piano, Benjamin Beilman and Alexi Kenney, violins, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola, Mihai Marica, cello Suite from Much Ado about Nothing, Op. 11 – February 20, 2022: Danbi Um, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano Fritz Kreisler (1875 — 1962) Three Pieces for Violin and Piano: Marche Miniature Viennoise The Old Refrain Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta Benjamin Beilman, violin, Gloria Chien, piano Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Selected Songs – March 29, 2015: Matthew Polenzani, tenor; Ken Noda, piano Federico García Lorca (1898–1936) Canciones españolas antiguas – November 2, 2014: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Sharon Isbin, guitar Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) Variations on a Theme of Paganini for two pianos – December 19, 2017: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) Piano Quartet – February 12, 2023 – Gloria Chien, piano, Alexi Kenney, violin, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola, Mihai Marica, cello Amanda Maier (1853-1894) Piano Trio in E-flat – October 15, 2023: Lysander Piano Trio Antonio Martín y Coll (1650-1734) Diferéncias Sobre Las Folia – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet El Villano – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Jules Massenet (1842-1912) Letter Scene and Va! Laisse couler mes larmes from Werther – April 23, 2017: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Warren Jones, piano Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Octet in E-flat, Op. 20 for strings – September 24, 2017: Paul Neubauer, viola; Arnaud Sussman, violin; Rafael Figueroa, cello; Michael Brown, piano Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66 – December 4, 2022 – Sitkovetsky Trio Song Without Words in D for cello and piano – September 29, 2024: Rafael Figueroa, cello; Jeewon Park, piano String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 – November 14, 2021 – Schumann String Quartet String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80 – January 10, 2010: Emerson String Quartet Trio No 2 in C Minor, Op. 66 for violin, cello, and piano – April 19, 2009: Elmar Oliveira, violin; Rafael Figueroa, cello; John Novacek, piano Olivier Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time - February 18, 2024: Anthony McGill, clarinet; Stefan Jackiw, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Stephen Brown, piano Pat Metheny Road to the Sun – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Jesse Montgomery Peace for clarinet and piano - February 18, 2024: Anthony McGill, clarinet; Michael Stephen Brown, piano Xavier Montsalvatge (1912–2002) Selections from Cinco canciónes negras – November 2, 2014: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano, Sharon Isbin, guitar Moritz Moszkowski (1854–1925) Suite for two violins and piano, Op. 71 – February 20, 2022: Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Adagio and Rondo, K. 617 for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola, and cello – May 19, 2019: Friedrich Heinrich Kern, glass harmonica; Chelsea Knox, flute; Elaine Douvas, oboe; Jeremy Berry, viola; Estelle Choi, cello Adagio in B minor, K. 540 – October 29, 2017: Peter Serkin, piano Adagio in C for Armonica, K. 617 – January 31, 2010: Cecilia Brauer, glass harmonica Adagio in C, K. 617a for glass harmonica – May 19, 2019: Friedrich Heinrich Kern, glass harmonica Al desio di chi t’adoro – September 27, 2009: Danielle de Niese, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Andante in C, K. 315 for flute and orchestra – December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Ave Verum Corpus for chamber choir and string quartet – December 3, 2023: Brentano String Quartet; Antioch Chamber Ensemble Clarinet Trio in E flat, Op. 498 (“Kegelstatt”) – November 4, 2018: Pascual Martinez-Fortese, clarinet; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Alessio Bax, piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat, K. 449 for piano and string quartet – September 23, 2018: Michael Brown, solo piano; Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Emily Smith, violin; Matt Lipman, viola; Nick Canellakis, cello; David J. Grossman, bass Deh vieni non tardar (from Le Nozze di Figaro) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Divertimento in F, K. 138 – January 29, 2023, Danish String Quartet Duo in G, K. 423, for violin & viola – October 19, 2008: Sheryl Staples, violin; Cynthia Phelps, viola Fantasie in F minor, K. 594 for organ – May 19, 2019: Paul Jacobs, organ Flute Concerto in G, K. 313 – December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Non più di fiori from La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621 – May 19, 2019: Wendy Bryn Harmer, soprano; Inn-Hyuck Cho, basset horn; Ken Noda, piano Piano Quartet in G minor, K. 478 – May 8, 2022: Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Anna Polonsky, piano; Paul Neubauer, viola; Fred Sherry, cello; Michael Parloff, lecturer Quartet for Oboe (soprano Saxophone) and Strings, arr. by Steven Banks – November 20, 2022 – Steven Banks, saxophone, Benjamin Bowman, violin, Milan Milisavljević, viola, Rafael Figueroa, cello Quartet in D, K. 575 (Prussian No. 1) – March 6, 2016: The Escher String Quartet Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, arr. for four cellos by Douglas Moore – September 29, 2024: Edward Arron, Carter Brey, Rafael Figueroa, and Zvi Plesser, cellos S’altro che lagrime (from La Clemenza di Tito) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Serenade No. 10 in B-flat, K. 361/370a (Gran Partita) – September 18, 2022: Winds of Met Sonata in B flat, K. 570 – October 29, 2017: Peter Serkin, piano Sonata in C, K. 521 for piano 4-hands – December 19, 2017: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano Sonata in A, K. 526 – March 11, 2018: Benjamin Beilman, Violin; Orion Weiss, piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310 – October 4, 2015: Richard Goode, piano Sonata No. 15 in F, K. 533 – October 4, 2015: Richard Goode, piano String Quartet in C, K. 465 (“Dissonance”) – November 14, 2021 – Schumann String Quartet String Quintet in E-flat, K. 614 – May 19, 2019: Calidore String Quartet; Matthew Lipman, viola String Quartet in G major, K. 387 – January 4, 2015: Emerson String Quartet Three Late Songs, K. 596 – 598 – May 19, 2019: Wendy Bryn Harmer, soprano; Ken Noda, piano String Quartet No. 16 in E-flat, K. 428 – January 29, 2023, Danish String Quartet Two Concert Arias – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Un moto di gioia (from Le Nozze di Figaro) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Violin Sonata in A, K. 526 – May 8, 2022: Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Anna Polonsky, piano; Paul Neubauer, viola; Fred Sherry, cello; Michael Parloff, lecturer Violin Sonata in E minor, K. 300c (K. 304) – October 5, 2014: Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Gilles Vonsattel, piano Violin Sonata in G, K. 379 – May 8, 2022: Arnaud Sussmann, violin; Anna Polonsky, piano; Paul Neubauer, viola; Fred Sherry, cello; Michael Parloff, lecturer Zeffiretti lusinghieri (from Idomeneo) – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Modest Musorgsky (1839-1881) Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks – November 4, 2018: Alessio Bax, piano John Novacek Four Rags for Two Jo(h)ns for clarinet and piano – April 19, 2009: Jon Manasse, clarinet; John Novacek, piano Mark O’Connor F.C.’s Jig for violin and viola – May 6, 2018: Kerry McDermott, violin; Paul Neubauer, viola Hermeto Pascoal Da Sábado pra Dominguihnos – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Arvo Pärt Fratres for violin and piano - February 18, 2024: Stefan Jackiw, violin; Michael Stephen Brown, piano Sam Perkin Freak Show – December 4, 2022 – Sitkovetsky Trio Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Histoire du Tango – April 14, 2019: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Jason Vieaux, guitar Milonga del ángel – November 20, 2022 Steven Banks, saxophone, Xak Bjerken, piano Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886) Quartetto for flute, oboe, B-flat clarinet, E-flat clarinet and piano – September 18, 2022 – Met Winds David Popper (1843-1913) Requiem for three cellos and piano – September 29, 2024: Rafael Figueroa, Edward Arron, and Zvi Plesser, cellos; Jeewon Park, piano Baden Powell Samba Novo – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major, Op. 119 (1949) – February 8, 2015: David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) Crisantemi – October 27, 2019: Quartetto di Cremona Three Arias – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) Andante from Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 for cello and piano – September 29, 2024: Zvi Plesser, cello; Jeewon Park, piano Six Songs, Op. 38: In My Garden at Night, To Her, Daisies, Pied Piper, Dreams, A-oo – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Sonata for Cello and Piano in g minor, Op. 19 – February 8, 2015: David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano Suite No. 2, Op. 17 for two pianos – December 19, 2017: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D minor, Op. 9 – May 21, 2023 – Kevin Zhu, violin, Zlatomir Fung, cello, Albert Cano Smit, piano Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Cinq mélodies populaires grecques – March 29, 2015: Matthew Polenzani, tenor; Ken Noda, piano Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet – December 18, 2016: Emmanuel Ceysson, harp; Érik Gratton, flute; Inn-hyuck Cho, clarinet; David Chan, concertmaster; Catherine Ro, violin; Dov Scheindlin, viola; Jerry Grossman, cello Ma mere l’oye arranged for two harps – December 18, 2016: Mariko Anraku, harp; Emmanuel Ceysson, harp Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn – October 17, 2021: Roman Rabinovich, piano; Escher String Quartet Mother Goose Suite for piano 4-hands – May 12, 2024: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano; Chee-Yun, violin; Brad Gemeinhardt Piano Trio in A minor – March 13, 2022: Kristin Lee, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Brown, piano Sonata for Violin and Cello – March 13, 2022: Kristin Lee, violin; Nicholas Canellakis, cello; Michael Brown, piano String Quartet in F – November 14, 2021 – Schumann String Quartet The Valley of the Bells for piano - February 18, 2024: Michael Stephen Brown, piano Tzigane for violin and piano – May 6, 2018: Oliver Neubauer, violin; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) Quartet in D – October 27, 2019: Quartetto di Cremona Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) Flight of the Bumblebee, arr. Rachmaninoff – November 4, 2018: Alessio Bax, piano Chris Rogerson New Work for two violins and piano – Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano Frederic Rzewski Demons for violin and piano (2017) – March 11, 2018: Benjamin Beilman, Violin; Orion Weiss, piano Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999) Aranjuez, ma pensée – November 2, 2014: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Sharon Isbin, guitar Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) Canzonetta spagnuola – April 23, 2017: Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano; Warren Jones, piano Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Carnival of the Animals – January 31, 2010: Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, flute; Stephen Williamson, clarinet; Yoon Kwon, violin; Abraham Appleman, viola; Joel Noyes, cello; Timothy Cobb, bass; Gregory Zuber, xylophone; Gareth Icenogle, narrator Carnival of the Animals – November 4, 2018: Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung, pianos; Yoobin Son, flute; Pascual Martinez-Fortese, clarinet; Sheryl Staples, violin; Qian-Qian Li, violin; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Eileen Moon, cello; Tim Cobb, bass; Barry Centanni, xylophone Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, arr. by Denis Bouriakov – December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Romance, Op. 36 for cello and piano – September 24, 2017: Mihai Marica, cello; Michael Brown, piano Pablo Sarasate (1844-1908) Navarra, Op. 33 for two violins and piano – February 20, 2022: Paul Huang, violin; Danbi Um, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Duo Sonata in A, Op. 162, D. 574, for violin and piano – October 18, 2009: David Chan, violin; Jeewon Park, piano Four Impromptus, D. 935 (Op. 142) – February 26, 2017: Emanuel Ax, piano Nacht und Träume – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 100 – October 15, 2023: Lysander Piano Trio Rondo in A, D. 438 for violin and string quartet – September 23, 2018: Sean Lee, solo violin; Emily Smith, violin; Arnaud Sussman, violin; Matt Lipman, viola; Nick Canellakis, cello Shepherd on the Rock, Op. 129, D. 965, for soprano, clarinet and piano – September 27, 2009: Danielle de Niese, soprano; Stephen Williamson, clarinet; Ken Noda, piano Sonata in G major, D. 894, op. 78 (“Fantasie”) – January 19, 2020: Paul Lewis, piano Sonatas in C minor, D. 958; A major, D. 959; and B-flat major, D. 960 - November 17, 2024: Paul Lewis, piano String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804 – January 29, 2023, Danish String Quartet String Quintet in C, D. 956 – December 16, 2018: Emerson String Quartet with David Finckel, cello Trio No. 2 in E-flat, D. 929, Op. 99 – October 30, 2016: Wu Han, piano; Philip Setzer, violin; David Finckel, cello Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810 (Death and the Maiden) – March 6, 2016: The Escher String Quartet Viola – February 16, 2020: Ying Fang, soprano; Ken Noda, piano Hermann Schulenburg (1886-1959) Gypsy Romance and Csardas for viola and piano – September 24, 2017: Paul Neubauer, viola; Arnaud Sussman, violin; Rafael Figueroa, cello; Michael Brown, piano Erwin Schulhoff (1894-1942) Hot Sonata for alto saxophone and piano – Steven Banks, saxophone, Xak Bjerken, piano Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fairy Tales, Op. 120, for clarinet, viola, and piano – September 27, 2009: Stephen Williamson, clarinet; Ken Noda, piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 47, for piano and strings – October 19, 2008: Sheryl Staples, violin; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Carter Brey, cello; Warren Jones, piano Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 for piano – May 12, 2024: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano; Chee-Yun, violin; Brad Gemeinhardt Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 for violin and piano – May 6, 2018: Clara Neubauer, violin; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano String Quartet No. 3 in A, Op. 41/3 – January 14, 2024: Goldmund Quartet Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915) Five Preludes for Solo Piano, Op. 16 (1894–1895) – February 8, 2015: David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) Concertino in A minor, Op. 94 for two pianos – December 19, 2017: Alessio Bax, piano; Lucille Chung, piano Sonata for Cello and Piano in d minor, Op. 40 (1934) – February 8, 2015: David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano String Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp minor, Op. 108 – January 4, 2015: Emerson String Quartet String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110 – December 16, 2018: Emerson Quartet String Quartet No. 12 in D-flat, Op. 133 – October 20, 2022 – Emerson String Quartet Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8 – October 30, 2016: Wu Han, piano; Philip Setzer, violin; David Finckel, cello Spirituals Good News; You Can Tell the World; Deep River; Ride on King Jesus – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Johann Strauss (1804–1849) Emperor Waltz for piano quintet, flute, and clarinet (arr. Schoenberg) – February 12, 2023 – Gloria Chien, piano, Benjamin Beilman and Alexi Kenney, violins, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola, Mihai Marica, cello, Yoobin Son, flute, Pascual Martinez-Forteza Richard Strauss (1864–1949) Five Songs – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Songs – November 12, 2023: Angel Blue, soprano; Bryan Wagorn, piano Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) Suite Italienne – December 15, 2019: Benjamin Beilman, violin; Andrew Tyson, piano The Soldier’s Tale – December 15, 2019: Benjamin Luxon, narrator; Benjamin Beilman, violin; Chris Coletti, trumpet; Demian Austin, trombone; Inn-Hyuck Cho, clarinet; Frank Morelli, bassoon; David J. Grossman, bass; Ian Rosenbaum, percussion; Anni Crofut, dancer-choreographer Three Movements from Petrushka – December 15, 2019: Andrew Tyson, piano Rentarō Taki (1879–1901) Kojo No Tsuki” (“The Moon over the Ruined Castle”) arr. Anne Akiko Meyers – April 14, 2019: Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Jason Vieaux, guitar Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909) Recuerdos de la Alhambra – November 2, 2014: Sharon Isbin, guitar Capricho árabe for solo guitar – September 25, 2016: Jason Vieaux, guitar Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) The White Swan (Pas D’action from Swan Lake) – November 4, 2018: Sheryl Staples, violin; Lucille Chung, piano Joaquín’s Turina (1882 - 1949) La oración de torero (The Bullfighter’s Prayer) – October 20, 2024: Modigliani Quartet Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) Come dal ciel precipita (from Macbeth) – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Ken Noda, piano Ella giammai m’amó (from Don Carlo) – May 15, 2016: James Morris, bass-baritone; Rafael Figueroa, cello; Ken Noda, piano Quartet in E minor – October 27, 2019: Quartetto di Cremona Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887 – 1959) A Lenda do Caboclo – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Concerto in B minor for 4 violins – September 26, 2021: Violin Soloists: James Thompson, Oliver Neubauer, Clara Neubauer, Jeanelle Brierley Flute Concerto in D, RV428, (The Goldfinch) – November 4, 2018: Yoobin Son, solo flute; Sheryl Staples, violin; Qian-Qian Li, violin; Cynthia Phelps, viola; Eileen Moon, cello; Tim Cobb, bass; Alessio Bax, harpsichord Guitar Concerto in D, RV 93 – September 25, 2016: Jason Vieaux, guitar; Escher String Quartet The Four Seasons – September 26, 2021: Violin Soloists: Spring – Danbi Um; Summer – Nathan Meltzer; Autumn – Arnold Sussmann; Winter – Kevin Zhu Melinda Wagner Pan Journal for harp and string quartet – December 18, 2016: Mariko Anraku, harp; Emmanuel Ceysson, harp; David Chan, concertmaster; Catherine Ro, violin; Dov Scheindlin, viola; Rafael Figueroa, cello George Walker (1922-2018) Lyric for Strings – December 16, 2018: Emerson Quartet Anton Webern (1883-1945) Langsamer Satz – January 14, 2024: Goldmund Quartet Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) Italian Serenade for string quartet – September 25, 2016: Escher String Quartet John Williams / Anderson & Roe Three Star Wars Fantasies – January 31, 2010: Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano Anonymous “Music from the Time of Cervantes” (arr. W. Kanengiser) – November 19, 2017: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
- Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, arr. by Denis Bouriakov, Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, arr. by Denis Bouriakov December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. By the time Saint-Saëns met him, Pablo de Sarasate was already an established violin virtuoso, though he was only fifteen years old. Saint-Saëns wrote: It is a long time ago now since I first saw Pablo de Sarasate call at my house. Fresh and young as spring itself, the faint shadow of a mustache scarcely visible on his upper lip, he was already a famous virtuoso. As if it were the easiest thing in the world he had come quite simply to ask me to write a concerto for him. Flattered and charmed to the highest degree I promised I would, and I kept my word with the Concerto in A major. The First Violin Concerto, written in 1859, was only the beginning of their long artistic relationship. In 1863 Saint-Saëns wrote the present Introduction and Rondo capriccioso for Sarasate, who for unknown reasons did not give the first performance until April 4, 1867; the composer waited until 1870 to publish the piece, but meanwhile Sarasate performed it throughout Europe and in the United States. In 1880 Saint-Saëns honored him again with the Third Violin Concerto. These works were ideally suited to Sarasate’s style of playing—technically perfect, with an unusually sweet and pure tone and a wider vibrato than was common at the time—all of which he reportedly achieved without practicing scales or exercises. The Introduction and Rondo capriccioso is a brilliant showpiece—and perhaps the most famous of Saint-Saëns’s lighter compositions. Frequent performances were facilitated by Bizet, who made the violin and piano arrangement, and Debussy, who made a version for two pianos. Now, flute virtuoso Denis Bouriakov has transcribed the work for flute and orchestra, which makes a great and perfectly natural if extra-challenging showpiece for the flute. Saint-Saëns gave the one-movement work a pronounced Spanish flavor in Sarasate’s honor. The rhapsodic passages of the Introduction are accompanied by pizzicato strings, suggesting a guitar. The Rondo theme with its “Spanish” syncopations alternates with contrasting episodes guaranteed to show off the soloist’s virtuosity. The work ends with a whirlwind coda that dazzles with its pyrotechnical display of scales and arpeggios. —©Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Andante in C, K. 315 for flute and orchestra, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Andante in C, K. 315 for flute and orchestra December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. The lovely Andante in C major is considered a product of the Ferdinand Dejean commission (see above)—possibly a substitute for the slow movement of the G major Flute Concerto or as the slow movement of a third but abandoned concerto. Based on the paper type of the undated manuscript, scholars suggest a date of 1779 or 1780—just one or two years after Mozart furnished Dejean with the G major Concerto and the D major Concerto (adapted from the Oboe Concerto). However, the suggestion that Mozart composed the Andante because Dejean had requested a simpler movement for the G major Concerto does not stand up to scrutiny, since Dejean has been shown to be a very talented amateur. Further, we have seen that paper types, whose watermarks were sometimes forged, can be misleading in some dating. Whatever Mozart intended with the Andante, we are fortunate to have this lyrical gem, which has won its own place as a stand-alone concert piece. The movement unfolds in three sections, A-B-A, separated by orchestral interludes. In the final section Mozart provides the flutist with the opportunity to improvise a cadenza before the final utterance of the main theme. —©Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Flute Concerto No. 7 in E minor, François Devienne (1759-1803)
François Devienne (1759-1803) Flute Concerto No. 7 in E minor December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. Versatile musician François Devienne held numerous orchestral and chamber music positions as bassoonist and flutist, and he was accomplished enough on both instruments to have performed frequently as concerto soloist in his own works and those by others. Devienne also composed prolifically—concertos (flute, bassoon, and horn), sinfonies concertantes (works for more than one soloist with orchestra), comic operas, and hundreds of chamber works. Devienne was also a member of the military band of the Paris National Guard, which involved teaching children of French soldiers. He served as an adminstrator of the organization’s educational facet, which in 1792 became the Free School of Music of the National Guard—changed to National Institute of Music the following year and the Paris Conservatory two years later—and thus Devienne was one of the founders of the fledgling Paris Conservatory. He also authored an important method book for flute and is renowned for raising the level of works for wind instruments in the late eighteenth century. Devienne’s operas were performed at the Théâtre Montansier and at the Théâtre Feydeau (whose orchestra and that of the Théâtre Favart merged to become the orchestra of the Opéra Comique). Devienne’s most successful opera, Les visitandines received more than 200 performances between 1792 and 1797. He died much too young in 1803 at Charenton, a Parisian home for the mentally ill. Fortunately, though many of his manuscripts have disappeared, most of his hundreds of works were published. His music consistently favors a single melodic line with subordinate accompaniment and rarely thematic development or counterpoint, and his instrumental music contains plentiful opportunities to showcase the performer’s technique. Of Devienne’s twelve flute concertos, No. 7 in E minor, composed c. 1787, is often considered the best. At the time, concertos began with an orchestral exposition before the soloist entered, but Devienne allows the flute to enter the action earlier than normal: after the first theme in the minor home key, the flute enters by doubling the violins on the gentler second theme in the parallel major. Then, to avoid a predictable solo exposition beginning with the first theme, Devienne ingeniously puts the flute’s entrance into the spotlight with yet a third theme. These three themes form the basis of the movement, which grows ever more dazzling. The long flowing lines of the slow movement over sparse accompaniment suggest the style of gentle aria for one of Devienne’s operatic heroines. The most unusual feature of the movement is the introduction of a cadenza (extended improvisatory-sounding passage for the soloist), which is more typical in a fast movement. The finale unfolds as a lively rondo in the charming refrain alternates with contrasting episodes that become more intricate and viruosic as the movement progresses. The final return to the refrain builds to a dazzling conclusion. —©Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Double Concerto for Two Flutes in D minor, BWV 1043, arr. by Denis Bouriakov (Denis and Erin Bouriakov, flutes), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Double Concerto for Two Flutes in D minor, BWV 1043, arr. by Denis Bouriakov (Denis and Erin Bouriakov, flutes) December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. An accomplished violinist as well as keyboard player, Bach wrote at least six concertos for one or more violins and several that combine violin with other types of solo instruments. The celebrated “Double” Concerto is in fact a concerto grosso, in which a small solo group (concertino )—here two violins—is contrasted with a larger group (ripieno or tutti ). Accordingly Bach titled his manuscript: Concerto à 6, 2 violini concertini, 2 violini e 1 viola di ripieni, violoncello e continuo di J. S. Bach . It was once thought that Bach had composed the work between 1717 and 1723 in Cöthen where he composed the Brandenburg Concertos, but scholar Christoph Wolff has convincingly suggested that this and the A minor Violin Concerto date from around 1730–31 in Leipzig, where Bach directed the Collegium Musicum. Founded at the University in 1702 by Georg Philipp Telemann, this society was made up primarily of students under professional leadership. The Collegium presented public community concerts, one of the first organizations to do so in Germany, and ultimately led to the renowned Leipzig Gewandhaus. During Bach’s tenure he was constantly composing for their weekly concerts: overtures, duo and trio sonatas, sinfonias, and concertos, which he often performed with his sons and pupils as soloists. A longtime admirer of the works of Vivaldi, Bach employed the concerto form that the Italian master standardized in the eighteenth century—three movements: fast, slow, fast. He also availed himself of Vivaldi’s ritornello form (in which a refrain alternates with episodic excursions). All three movements of the Double Concerto make use of or allude to ritornello form. Surprisingly for a concerto, the first movement’s ritornello refrain occurs in the manner of a fugue. In the Largo, ma non tanto, one of Bach’s most beautiful and heart-stirring slow movements, the soloists dominate. The way in which the solo parts intertwine, often weaving lovely chains of suspensions, continues to create a fascinating and emotional effect no matter how many times one has heard the work. The finale begins with a rhythmic cascade of close imitative counterpoint and unfolds in a free ritornello structure. Of special interest are the episodes in which, reversing their roles, the soloists play broad chords while the orchestra provides the motivic interest. The movement’s rhythmic drive creates a hypnotic momentum. Denis and Erin Bouriakov made the present arrangement for two flutes and orchestra (or piano accompaniment). Such a switch of scoring among treble instruments was common in Bach’s day, and the Double Concerto works extremely well with flutes as the protagonists. —©Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
- Flute Concerto in G, K. 313, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Flute Concerto in G, K. 313 December 15, 2024: THE VIRTUOSO FLUTIST. DENIS BOURIAKOV, FLUTE. A RECITAL FOR FLUTE AND ORCHESTRA, with Erin Bouriakov, Flute. Musicians From The New York Philharmonic. Michael Parloff, Conductor. In the winter of 1777 when Mozart was visiting Mannheim, he became very friendly with various wind players whose playing he thought was brilliant. One of these, flutist Johan Baptiste Wendling, had even gone so far as to try to get Mozart a position with Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine. When no position was available and it seemed Mozart would have to leave Mannheim, Wendling industriously procured commissions for him. One such commission came from wealthy Dutch surgeon and accomplished amateur flutist Ferdinand Dejean, who requested what the composer referred to in 1777 as “three short, simple concertos and a couple of quartets for flute” for which the fee was to be 200 gulden. By the time Dejean left for Paris on February 15, 1778, Mozart had completed two full-fledged concertos (though one was an arrangement of an earlier oboe concerto) and three quartets (though until relatively recently the C major Flute Quartet was not authenticated as dating from then because of a quirk in paper studies). He was chagrined, nonetheless, to receive only 96 gulden, saying it went against their agreement. Mozart’s father then surmised how many compositions the original commission must have entailed, based on the fact that his son had received less than half of his fee, and sent an angry letter berating him for his laziness. Yet the younger Mozart cannot be accused of lying about the scope of the commission to please his father, as has been repeated for more than a century—in fact his references to the commission vary as to number and type of composition. Rather, there simply remained an unknown number of works to be completed and Wolfgang wanted payment in advance. This suggests that Dejean would be crossing paths with Mozart after Paris—and indeed Dejean, a fellow Freemason, took up residence in Vienna. It is even possible that the Fourth Flute Quartet (associated with Gottfried von Jacquin) may have been played by Dejean and possibly even counted as an extension of the earlier Dejean commission. But to return to Mozart’s response to his father’s angry letter, it contains a line as an excuse that has grieved flute lovers ever since: “You know that I am quite powerless when I am obliged to write for an instrument I cannot bear.” Is this really what he meant? How can he have written such idiomatic, engaging music for an instrument he supposedly did not like? And did he not greatly admire the flute playing of his friend Wendling? The G major Concerto is a charming work and is by no means “short” and “simple.” The first movement’s opening tutti (ensemble) section presents the forthright main theme and hints at a second theme, but closes with a new, rhythmic arpeggiated passage that returns at important junctures. After the flute’s elaborated exposition of the majestic theme, a bit of the arpeggiated tutti returns to launch the second theme. One of the many ways Mozart displays the soloist’s prowess is in frequent wide leaps, which tests the ability to project in the low register and to move quickly between registers. Mozart provides an opportunity for a solo cadenza just before the arpeggiated tutti closes the movement. The Adagio ma non troppo is one of those leisurely, exquisite movements at which Mozart was so adept. He follows slow-movement sonata form, in which an exposition and recapitulation are separated by a short episode rather than a full development section. Of special note here is the velvety sonority achieved by having the upper strings play muted and the lower strings sometimes in gentle pizzicato. Throughout the flute shows its ability to play lyrically and ornament gracefully. Here, too, Mozart provides an opportunity for a cadenza toward the end. The closing sonata-rondo movement brings in the flute right at the outset. Each return of this delightful refrain brings subtle variants to keep the ear engaged. Mozart introduces the contrasting minor mode episode with a little hint that “something is up” by varying the little tutti scale figures that lead up to it. The placement of the cadenza here before the recapitulation allows this section to proceed without interruption and even to end in quiet elegance. —©Jane Vial Jaffe Return to Parlance Program Notes
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