The Paganini of the Pan
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Liam Teague, “The Paganini of the Pan,” is the soloist for whom American composer Ian Bach wrote his Steelpan Concerto. What’s a steelpan? Read on . . .
Lou Harrison is our first hour’s featured composer this evening. His five-movement Harp Suite is played not on harp but on guitar, by David Tanenbaum, with various percussion instruments, like water bowls, finger cymbals, and sistra adding interest. Later, we hear his “Philemon and Baukis,” played by the American Gamelon with Daniel Kobialka on violin. The Los Angles Guitar Quartet brings us two works by the Cuban guitarist/composer Eduardo Martin, and one by Brazilian jazz great Egberto Gismonti.
Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 was never publicly performed during his lifetime, but those of us who live today are luckier. This beautiful work, which shows influences of both Rossini and Beethoven, is brought to life for us by Roger Norrington and his London Classical Players.
Now, to that mysterious steelpan: it’s a steel drum usually played in Caribbean bands. Soloist Liam Teague plays Ian Bach’s Steelpan Concerto with all the brio one would expect from an award-winning international performer. Paul Freeman and the Czech National Symphony support him in a work is unusual, evocative, and beautiful. Don’t miss it. Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No. 1 and a Georg Muffat concerto grosso are just two works that help fill out the evening.
Lou Harrison is our first hour’s featured composer this evening. His five-movement Harp Suite is played not on harp but on guitar, by David Tanenbaum, with various percussion instruments, like water bowls, finger cymbals, and sistra adding interest. Later, we hear his “Philemon and Baukis,” played by the American Gamelon with Daniel Kobialka on violin. The Los Angles Guitar Quartet brings us two works by the Cuban guitarist/composer Eduardo Martin, and one by Brazilian jazz great Egberto Gismonti.
Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 was never publicly performed during his lifetime, but those of us who live today are luckier. This beautiful work, which shows influences of both Rossini and Beethoven, is brought to life for us by Roger Norrington and his London Classical Players.
Now, to that mysterious steelpan: it’s a steel drum usually played in Caribbean bands. Soloist Liam Teague plays Ian Bach’s Steelpan Concerto with all the brio one would expect from an award-winning international performer. Paul Freeman and the Czech National Symphony support him in a work is unusual, evocative, and beautiful. Don’t miss it. Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No. 1 and a Georg Muffat concerto grosso are just two works that help fill out the evening.
