Midday Music, Wednesday 5/27/09
11 AM
- Bax: November Woods. BBC Phil, Handley. Chandos 10362. - Stormy nature as a metaphor for indecision between domestic responsibilities and romantic passion.
- Schumann: Novelette, Op. 21/8. Vladimir Ashkenazy. London 425 940. - Contains the descending motto that always means his true love, Clara.
- Gade: String Quartet in D, Op. 63. Kontra Quartet. BIS 516. - If music sounds like Mendelssohn but isn't Mendelssohn, it's most likely Gade.
- Ginastera: Estancia, ballet: Malambo. Boston Pops Orch, Lockhart. RCA 09026-63717. - An energetic, macho dance for Argentine gauchos.
- Rudnev: The Old Lime Tree. Artyom Dervoed. Naxos 8.570447. - An arrangement of an old Russian folk song.
- Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, arr. saxophone and orchestra. Greg Banaszak, Polish National Chamber Orch, Jarmolowicz. Centaur 2400. - Originally for a vocalizing, um, vocalist, this tune is performed more often in various instrumental arrangements.
- Bach: English Suite No. 3 in G minor. Maria Joao Pires. DG 447 894. - Pure music.
- Berlioz: The Corsaire, Overture. Montreal Sym, Dutoit. London 421 193. - Pirate music!
- Glazunov: Wedding March. Bavarian Radio Sym, Jarvi. Orfeo 093 201. - Why isn't this better known? So stately and joyful.
- Beethoven: "Emperor" Piano Concerto (No. 5 in E-flat). Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Chamber Orch of Europe, Harnoncourt. Teldec 0927 47334. - Beethoven didn't give the piece that nickname but it has stuck for a reason.
