Virtuoso Fireworks
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Fireworks of virtuosity abound tonight, beginning with
a lively selection of pieces for solo guitar, including David Starobin performing Mauro Giuliani's "Six Variations on an Original Theme." Hot on Starobin's heels is violinist Akiko Suwanai, who tackles Sarasate's dazzling "Carmen Fantasy"; we'll also treat ourselves to an historic live recording of pianist William Kappell in Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 (the "Funeral March").
Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra dominate the middle portion of our evening in Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, topped off by a little musical sibling rivalry as Gil and Orli Shaham serve up a selection from Dvorak's lyrical "Romantic Pieces."
Later on, we'll bring the evening to an adulterous close as Charles Dutoit leads the Montreal Symphony Orchestra through the perils of Tchaikovsky's "Francesca da Rimini," Dante's tale of forbidden love which had much personal relevance to the composer. Quoted in the score are Dante's own words: "There is no greater pain than to recall happiness in times of misery."
Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra dominate the middle portion of our evening in Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, topped off by a little musical sibling rivalry as Gil and Orli Shaham serve up a selection from Dvorak's lyrical "Romantic Pieces."
Later on, we'll bring the evening to an adulterous close as Charles Dutoit leads the Montreal Symphony Orchestra through the perils of Tchaikovsky's "Francesca da Rimini," Dante's tale of forbidden love which had much personal relevance to the composer. Quoted in the score are Dante's own words: "There is no greater pain than to recall happiness in times of misery."
