As 2017 draws to a close, we remember the life and work of three classical artists who died this past year, each, in various degrees, dedicating himself or herself to the performance and diffusion of early music: Italian conductor and musicologist Alberto Zedda, Czech harpsichordist and teacher Zuzana Růžičková, and Siberian born Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. We laud them tonight and say Ave atque vale: Hail and farewell, with this modest appreciation of their work and contibutions to the world of early music. Recordings used in tonight’s program come from WFMT’s Richard and Mary L. Gray Music Library.
PROGRAM
Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-36)
La Serva Padrona
– A Serpina penserete
Annette Celine, soprano; Rome Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alberto Zedda (1928-2017)
Brana Records BR 0020
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto No. 2 in E Major for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, Viola, and Continuo, BWV 1053
Harpsichordist Zuzana Růžičková (1927-2017); Prague Chamber Orchestra conducted by Václav Neumann
Supraphon 11 0673-2
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Già il Sole Dal Gange
Giacomo Carissimi (1605-74)
Vittoria, Mio Core!
Francesco Durante (1684-1755)
Danza, Danza, Fanciulla
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-87)
Orfeo ed Euridice
-Che Farò Senza Euridice
George Frederic Handel (1685-1759)
Xerxes (Serse) HWV 40
– Frondi Levere e Belle – Ombra Mai Fù
Alessandro Stradella (1639-82)
Pietà, Signore
Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovky (1962-2017); Academy of St Martin in the Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, conductor
Philips 456 543-2