Playlist for Monday, April 28
This new CD grabbed my attention: Euro-Ottomania. It showcases music by Central European musicians working in the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1800s. Apparently there was quite a stream of these westerners flowing into Istanbul.
The liner notes explain: "Euro-Ottomania mirrors that time in the 19th century when the Ottoman zeal for European music was in the ascendant; when Europeans reciprocated the compliment; when Italians ran the sultan's military bands and court orchestras; when Liszt played at the imperial residence by the Bosphorus; when importing pianos became serious business," etc.
Today we hear the funeral march written by Bartolomeo Pisani, an Italian in Turkish employ, on the death of Sultan Abdulmecid, or Abdul-Medjid. Possibly of more historical than musical interest, but there you have it. I'm looking forward to checking out rest of the disc, including the symphony "On the Banks of the Bosphorus" by August Ritter von Adelburg, in the near future.
Concerts mentioned on air: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Berlioz's Requiem plus Janacek's Sinfonietta, May 1-3. Guitarist Manuel Barrueco appears at Spivey Hall, Morrow, Saturday, May 3. The Macon Symphony performs Bruckner's Fourth Symphony and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 with Enrique Graf, Saturday, May 3. And the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre presents Giselle at Columbus's RiverCenter, tomorrow, April 29. I'll post a fuller weekly concert list Tuesday.
11 AM
- Chedeville: Sonata IV (1737). Rubato Appassionato. MA Recordings M075A.
- Pisani: A Tear at the Tomb of Sultan Abdul-Medjid, Funeral March in F minor (1861). Prague Orch, Araci. Brilliant 93613.
- Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp. Wu Han. Artist Led 10701.
- Janacek: Sinfonietta. Czech State Phil, Serebrier. Reference 65.
- Barrios: La Catedral. Manuel Barrueco. EMI 56578.
- Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467. Maria Joao Pires, Chamber Orch of Europe, Abbado. DG 439 941.
- Mendelssohn: Violin Sonata in F minor, Op. 4. Nomos Duo. Naxos 8.554725.
- Adam: Giselle: Start of Act I. Orch of Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Bonynge. London 417 505.
- Kuhnau: The Battle between David and Goliath. Avatar Brass Ens, Graham. Klavier 11112.
