Is music merely a collection of ordered pitches and vibrations in the air, or is there inherent and universal meaning contained within? Does music convey anger, longing, desire, or humor? This week Bill delves into one of the most mysterious and fundamental qualities of music: its ability to convey emotion to the listener. Starting with Gil Shaham with the New York Philharmonic’s performance of Samuel Barber’s violin concerto, we will listen to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and end the week with JS Bach’s E minor Toccata. Bill asks us to listen carefully and ask ourselves, “what do we feel when we listen to this music and why?”
Emotion and Meaning in Music
Playlist
Episode 1
Samuel Barber: Concerto for Violin, I.
New York Philharmonic/David Robertson; Gil Shaham, violin
1930s Violin Concertos-Barber•Harma•Berg•Stravinsky•Britten-Gil Shaham
Canary Classics 12
10:14
Igor Stravinsky: Violin Concerto in D
I. Toccata
BBC Symphony Orchestra/David Robertson; Gil Shaham, violin
1930s Violin Concertos-Barber•Harma•Berg•Stravinsky•Britten-Gil Shaham
Canary Classics 12
1:19, 5:43
Samuel Barber: Concerto for Violin, III.
New York Philharmonic/David Robertson; Gil Shaham, violin
1930s Violin Concertos-Barber•Harma•Berg•Stravinsky•Britten-Gil Shaham
Canary Classics 12
4:06
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, Part I
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
Stravinsky: Le Sacre; Ginastera, Haydn / Leonard Slatkin
RCA 60993
16:30
Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel
Alexander Malter, piano; Dietmar Schwalke, violoncello
Alina
ECM 1591
9:15
Episode 2
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 6 in D, H 1/6, Le Matin, I
St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Haydn: Morning, Noon & Evening / St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Arabesque 6756
5:29
Franz Joseph Haydn: The Creation- Representation of Chaos
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
Stravinsky: Le Sacre; Ginastera, Haydn / Leonard Slatkin
RCA 60993
7:56
Alberto Ginastera: Popol Vuh
I. Nature Wakes II. The Cry of Creation/The Great Rain
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
Stravinsky: Le Sacre; Ginastera, Haydn / Leonard Slatkin
RCA 60993
8:58
Ludwig Van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
II. Andante con moto
Bayerische Rundfunks/Mariss Jansons
Beethoven The Symphonies and Reflections/ Mariss Jansons
Br Klassik 900119
8:52
Raminta Šerkšnytė: Fires, for orchestra
Bayerische Rundfunks/Mariss Jansons
Beethoven The Symphonies and Reflections/ Mariss Jansons
Br Klassik 900119
10:33
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 8 in G, H 1/8, Le Soir, I & II
St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Haydn: Morning, Noon & Evening / St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Arabesque 6756
5:38
Episode 3
Benjamin Britten: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 15
I, II & III (excerpt)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Juanjo Mena; Gil Shaham
1930s Violin Concertos/ Barber Harmann Berg Stravinsky Britten/ Gil Shaham
Canary Classics 12
18:30
Maurice Ravel: Gaspard De La Nuit
“Ondine”
Martha Argerich, piano
Gaspard De La Nuit • Sonatine • Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales
DG 2530 540
6:19
Maurice Ravel: Gaspard De La Nuit
“Ondine” (excerpts)
Martha Argerich, piano
Live From The Concertgebouw 1978/1979
EMI 57101
1:17, :22
Antonín Dvorák: Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, III.
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Jirí Belohlávek; Alisa Weilerstein, violoncello
Dvorak
Lon B0019765
12:31, 3:31
Antonín Dvorák: “Lasst Mich Allein”, Op. 82 No. 1 (excerpt)
Alisa Weilerstein, violoncello.; Anna Polonsky, piano
Dvorak
Lon B0019765
2:18
Episode 4
Franz Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911
“Gute Nacht”
Jonas Kaufmann, tenor; Helmut Deutsch, piano
Schubert: Winterreise / Jonas Kaufmann
Sony 379563
5:43
Franz Schubert: Sonata in A major, D. 959, II. Andantino
Imogen Cooper, piano
Schubert Live Vol 1 / Imogen Cooper
Avie 2156
8:22
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9 In C, D. 944, Great, II
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler
Furtwangler Conducts Weber & Schubert
Music & Arts 4795
16:43
Franz Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911
“Der Leiermann”
Jonas Kaufmann, tenor; Helmut Deutsch, piano
Schubert: Winterreise / Jonas Kaufmann
Sony 379563
3:45
Gustav Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn
“Wo Die Schönen Trompeten Blasen”
New York Philharmonic/Leonard Bernstein; Christa Ludwig, soprano
Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Youth’s Magic Horn)
Columbia Masterworks 7395
7:02
Franz Schubert: Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 2 In E-flat Major (excerpt)
Barbara Nissman, piano
Out of Doors
Three Oranges 5638267042
1:34
Episode 5
J.S. Bach: Partita, BWV 825
I. Prelude II. Allemande III. Courante
Evan Shinners, piano
@Bach
4:27
Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Concerto for Violin
IV. Choral: Langsamer Marsch
Sejong Soloists/Gil Shaham, violin
1930s Violin Concertos-Barber•Harma•Berg•Stravinsky•Britten-Gil Shaham
Canary Classics 12
4:04
Richard Wagner: Götterdämmerung – Act III
Trauermarsch War Das Sein Horn Hoiho! Hoiho! Wacht Auf! Nicht Klage Wider Mich! Schweigt Eures Jammers Jauchzenden Schwall Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort Mein Erbe Nun Nehem’ Ich Zu Eigen Fliegt Heim, Ihr Raben!
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Georg Solti
Birgit Nilsson, soprano.; Wolfgang Windgassen, tenor; soloists
Wagner Der Ring Des Nibelungen
RCA Victor 82676 55709-2
37:42, :20, :52
J.S. Bach: E Minor Toccata, BWV 914
Evan Shinners, piano
@Bach
2:33