On this series of Exploring Music, we examine some works that are absolutely fantastic – every bit as fantastic as the pieces we hear all the time – but relatively unknown by comparison. These works are usually not in the standard repertoire though perhaps should be. Guides to finding some of this hidden treasure are the on-air hosts at WFMT, who have a wealth and depth of knowledge when it comes to unearthing musical gold. This week Bill takes up their claims for greater awareness and appreciation of this music.
Hidden Gold, Part I
Playlist
Episode 1
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 52, III & IV
Academy of Ancient Music/ Hogwood
L’Oiseau Lyre 443 777; 8:56
George Rochberg: Ricordanza
Fischer, vc.; Rochberg, piano
CRI 769; 13:06
Bernardo Storace: Ciaconna
Vinikour, harpsichord
Consonance 0007; 6:18
Jules Massenet: Don Quichotte (excerpt)
Toulouse Capitole Orchestra/ Plasson; soloists
EMI 54767; 11:58
Francesco Cavalli: “Bear Dance” from La Calisto
Concerto Vocale/ Jacobs
HM 901515; 2:54
Jean-Philippe Rameau: Castor and Pollux (excerpt)
Orchestra of the 18th Century/ Bruggen
Philips 426714; 5:32
Episode 2
Amy Beach: Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in c-sharp minor, I
English Chamber Orchestra/ Goodwin; Polk, piano
Arabesque 6738; 19:19
Frederick Delius: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Handley; Holmes, violin
Unicorn 2072; 26:11
Frederick Delius: Irmelin Prelude
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Fenby
Unicorn 9008/9; 5:46
Episode 3
Walter Piston: Serenata for Orchestra
New York Chamber Symphony/ Schwarz
Delos 3106; 11:44
Randall Thompson: Symphony No. 3, I & IV
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/ Schenck
Koch 7413; 14:13
Paul Hindemith: Concert Music for Strings and Brass, I & II
Israel Philharmonic/ Bernstein
DG 429404; 9:37
Ernest Bloch: Concerto Grosso No. 1, I & III
Chicago String Ensemble/ Heatherington; Schrader, piano
Centaur 2140; 10:09
Benjamin Britten: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (excerpt)
English Chamber Orchestra/ Britten; Richter, piano
London 417308; 3:53
Episode 4
Anton Webern: Passacaglia
Berlin Phil/ Karajan
DG 457689; 12:06
Richard Strauss: Sonatina No. 2 in E-flat, I
Haffner Wind Ensemble/ Hickox
Chandos 9286; 12:45
Gian-Carlo Menotti: Death of the Bishop of Brindisi (excerpt)
BSO/ Leinsdorf
RCA 63747; 16:09
Benjamin Britten: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, II + excerpt
English Chamber Orchestra/ Britten; Richter, piano
London 417308; 5:05, 2:15
Episode 5
Johannes Brahms: Nänie, Schicksalslied
San Francisco Symphony & Chorus/ Blomstedt
London 452582; 12:44, 17:03
Camille Saint-Saëns: Havanaise
LSO/ Barbirolli; Heifitz, violin
RCA 61735; 9:12
Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz: Luz y Norte (excerpts)
The Harp Consort/ Lawrence King
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77340; 10:58,1:22