Midday Music, Monday 2/23/09
Psalms are at the heart of the second piece we hear today. Before each movement of his Cello Concerto (1932), California-born composer Frederick Jacobi cites a verse from Psalms 90-92.
- Allegro Cantabile: "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations." Psalm 90:1
- Allegretto: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
- Allegro Ritmico: "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O Most High." Psalm 92:2
In the noon hour, Beethoven's superlative "Emperor" Piano Concerto is followed by a short, familiar tune that is thought to resemble a bit of it: Bernstein's "Somewhere." Keep the middle movement of the concerto in mind till the end and do the four-note comparison yourself.
11 AM
- Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en Concert No.1. Baroque Nouveau. Reference 118.
- Jacobi: Cello Concerto (1932). Alban Gerhardt, Barcelona Sym, Rickenbacher. Naxos 8.559434.
- Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78. Isabelle Faust, Alexander Melnikov. Harmonia Mundi 901981.
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14/1. Wilhelm Backhaus. Decca 433 882.
- Beethoven: "Emperor" Concerto (Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat). Alfred Brendel, London Phil, Haitink. Philips 420 347.
- Bernstein: "Somewhere," from West Side Story. Empire Brass. Telarc 80159.
- Delalande: Suite No. 5 from Symphonies for the King's Suppers. La Simphonie du Marais, Reyne. Harmonia Mundi 901303.
- Milhaud: The Creation of the World (La Creation du Monde). National Orch of Lille-North Region/Pas de Calais, Casadesus. Naxos 8.557287.
