First Number One
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
On this first day of a new year, we feature works that have either No. 1 or Opus 1 in their titles, starting with Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1.
Claudio Abbado conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in the witty and engaging so-called “Classical” Symphony by Sergei Prokofiev. After Handel’s brief Violin Sonata in G, Op, 1, No. 5, we turn to Beethoven, whose First Symphony we hear in a performance by the Chicago Symphony under Georg Solti. As we consider "firsts," is interesting to note that this symphony was written in the first year of the 19th century, and premiered in April 1800 to an appreciative audience that nevertheless was a bit blown away by what was perceived to be too much use of the wind instruments. "Chacun à son goût!" “Winter Dreams” is the nickname of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, a work over which he slaved in fits and starts as he battled internal demons throughout 1866. Not until February 1868 did the full work see the light of day, and even after that, Tchaikovsky made revisions. Two movements have subtitles: the first, "Reveries of a Winter Journey," and the second, "Land of Desolation, Land of Mists." The last movement is marked Andante lugubre, Allegro moderato, and Allegro maestoso—lugubriousness finally yielding to triumphant majesty. Alan Hovhaness’s modal and mysterious Nocturne, Op. 20, No. 1 is played by harpist Susann McDonald. It is one of the few pieces for harp that demands that the soloist use all five fingers of each hand (the little fingers traditionally being thought of as too short to pluck with comfort.)
Claudio Abbado conducts the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in the witty and engaging so-called “Classical” Symphony by Sergei Prokofiev. After Handel’s brief Violin Sonata in G, Op, 1, No. 5, we turn to Beethoven, whose First Symphony we hear in a performance by the Chicago Symphony under Georg Solti. As we consider "firsts," is interesting to note that this symphony was written in the first year of the 19th century, and premiered in April 1800 to an appreciative audience that nevertheless was a bit blown away by what was perceived to be too much use of the wind instruments. "Chacun à son goût!" “Winter Dreams” is the nickname of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, a work over which he slaved in fits and starts as he battled internal demons throughout 1866. Not until February 1868 did the full work see the light of day, and even after that, Tchaikovsky made revisions. Two movements have subtitles: the first, "Reveries of a Winter Journey," and the second, "Land of Desolation, Land of Mists." The last movement is marked Andante lugubre, Allegro moderato, and Allegro maestoso—lugubriousness finally yielding to triumphant majesty. Alan Hovhaness’s modal and mysterious Nocturne, Op. 20, No. 1 is played by harpist Susann McDonald. It is one of the few pieces for harp that demands that the soloist use all five fingers of each hand (the little fingers traditionally being thought of as too short to pluck with comfort.)
