Shostakovich's Elegy
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Dmitri Shostakovich's "Elegy for String Quartet" in C Minor was composed in all of three days. The continuous five movements quote themes from his previous compositions (in an almost chronological order — echoing important events from his life). For those of you acquainted with Shostakovich's music, you'll recognize music from his First, Fifth, Tenth and Eleventh Symphonies, as well as excerpts from the Second Piano Trio, The First Cello Concerto and a scene from his opera "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk."
We'll hear some contemporary and light-hearted works tonight, as well as eminent works from the canon. Virtuoso violinist/fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor performs his "Cricket Dance"; we'll also hear Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" Overture — which provided a stunning debut role for Ethel Merman when she sang "I Got Rhythm" (in tonight's rendition we'll hear the original orchestrations as performed by The New Princess Theater Orchestra). And finally, throughout the evening we'll celebrate the birthday of an elegant pianist whose astonishing technique never overburdens the music he plays. Tonight, Jean Yves Thibaudet performs works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.
We'll hear some contemporary and light-hearted works tonight, as well as eminent works from the canon. Virtuoso violinist/fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor performs his "Cricket Dance"; we'll also hear Gershwin's "Girl Crazy" Overture — which provided a stunning debut role for Ethel Merman when she sang "I Got Rhythm" (in tonight's rendition we'll hear the original orchestrations as performed by The New Princess Theater Orchestra). And finally, throughout the evening we'll celebrate the birthday of an elegant pianist whose astonishing technique never overburdens the music he plays. Tonight, Jean Yves Thibaudet performs works by Chopin, Liszt, and Debussy.
