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Composer Cosmology

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galaxy

As astrophysicists like Neil deGrasse Tyson learn more about the cosmos and present their often strange and wondrous findings to the public, the creative mind can’t help but be captivated and inspired, and composers are certainly no exception. From super strings to quarks, multiple dimensions to M theory, we’ll play several imaginative works by composers captivated by our universe.

Playlist

Beginnings from Divinum Mysterium, by Daniel Kellogg
Eighth Blackbird

Heart of Space from Short History of the Universe, by Derek Bermel
JACK Quartet; Derek Bermel, clarinet

The Spirit of God Moved Upon the Face of the Waters from Divinum Mysterium, by Daniel Kellogg
Eighth Blackbird

Ka from Sulvasutra, by Evan Ziporyn
The Silk Road Ensemble

Gondwana, by Tristan Murail
ORTF National Orchestra; Yves Prin, conductor

String Theory from Three Pieces for Mixed Trio, by Mark Petering
Adams Marks, piano; Andrew Williams, violin; Jennifer Woodrum, clarinet

The Fractal Terrace from The Garden of Cosmic Speculation, by Michael Gandolfi
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Robert Spano, conductor

The Mannheim Rocket, by John Corigliano
Helsinki Symphony Orchestra; John Storgårds, conductor

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Norman Krieger: Beethoven Piano Concertos

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Norman Krieger: Beethoven Piano Concertos

A native of Los Angeles, Norman Krieger is highly regarded as an artist of depth, sensitivity and virtuosic flair. As the Los Angeles Times put it, “Krieger owns a world of technique. He always knows exactly where he is going and what he is doing. He never for an instant miscalculates.” Krieger is joined by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and JoAnn Falletta for this new recording of Beethoven’s Third and Fifth Piano Concertos.

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Reginald R. Robinson, piano

September 21, 2017, 11:00 am

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Reginald R. Robinson

The story goes that Reginald R. Robinson first heard the sweet strains of ragtime music through the loudspeaker of a neighborhood ice cream truck. Years later, the self-taught pianist and composer received a 2004 “genius” fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation. We welcome him back to the Levin Studio for this solo performance of his original compositions.

  • “Maple Leaf Rag,” by Scott Joplin

  • “The Tomahawk,” by Reginald R. Robinson

  • “So Deeply,” by Reginald R. Robinson

  • “Esperanza,” by Reginald R. Robinson

  • “The Daredevil’s Gallop,” by Reginald R. Robinson

  • “Sweet Envy,” by Reginald R. Robinson

  • “Mr. Murphy’s Blues,” by Reginald R. Robinson

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Novak: Orchestral Works

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Emerging from the fertile background of Bohemian nationalism, Vítĕzslav Novák’s music achieved cult status in his homeland for its richness of melody and orchestral color. In the Tatra Mountains was inspired by the composer’s journeys in this magnificent region. Eternal Longing is based on a poem by Hans Christian Andersen, while the dramatic Lady Godiva Overture is considered one of his most powerful works.

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Songs & Laments of the Sephardim

September 20, 2017, 10:00 pm

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Synagogue; Córdoba, Spain

On this evening of Rosh Hashanah, Baroque&Before celebrates the Jewish High Holy Days with a program of sacred, paraliturgical, celebratory, and secular music of the Jews of the Mediterranean: Spain, Greece, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. Recordings for this week’s program come from Candice Agree’s personal library.

Playlist

Anonymous
Invocación: Qamti Be-Ishon Layla

Yehudá Haleví (1075-1141)
Siónida: Yefe Nof

Maimonides (1135-1204)
Igueret ha-Shemad
-Excerpt, Letter on Forced Conversion
(Kerry Frumkin, Speaker)

Anonymous
Las Estrellas De Los Cielos

Dunash Ben Labrat (920-990)
Hebraic Lament from Al-Andaluz: Dror Yiqrá

Anonymous
El Pan De La Aflicción

ARTISTS
Hespèrion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya/Jordi Savall
“Granada 1013-1502”
ALIA VOX SACD AVSA9915
~~~~~~~~
Don Abraham Alfaquin (fl. 2nd half of the 13th century)
Noche de aljad

Abraham Ibn Ezra (c.1092–1167)
Ki esmerá sabat

Anonymous
La fragua del estudio

Hayim Hacohen (1585-1655)
Dodí yarad leganó

Yehuda Cal’i (fl. 18th century)
La ketubá de la ley

ARTISTS
Alia Mvsica
“The Alhambra: A Musica Tour”
Harmonia Mundi HMX 2908554.55
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Salomone Rossi (ca. 1570 – 1630)
Baruch haba b’Shem ADONAI
Mizmor Le’Toda 

ARTISTS
New York Baroque/Eric Milnes, Director
“Salamone Rossi: The Songs of Solomon, Vol. 2′
Jewish Sacred Music from the 17th century
Dorian CD 93220

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Sung Chang

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Sung Chang

Korean born pianist Sung Chang performs works of J.S. Bach, Fritz Kreisler, Frank Churchill and Vincent Youmans live under the Tiffany dome at the Chicago Cultural Center for the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert.

Playlist

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (4’)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
arr. Myra Hess (1890 – 1965)

Twelve Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman, K. 265 (10’)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)

Selections from Three Old Viennese Dances (10’)
Liebesleid
Liebesfreud
Fritz Kreisler (1875 – 1962)
arr. Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943)

Reminiscences of Snow White (8’)
Frank Churchill (1901 – 1942)
transcr. Earl Wild (1915 – 2010)

Tea for Two (3’)
Vincent Youmans (1898 – 1946)
arr. Art Tatum (1909 – 1956)

FROM THE IMF WEBSITE

Sung Chang, born in Seoul, Korea, began playing piano at the age of three, and gave his debut concert at age five. He became the youngest winner in the Nagoya International Piano Competition in Japan and also received the Chamber Music Special Prize and the Japan Expo Special Prize. He also received first prize in a number of prestigious competitions including, the 7th Bösendorfer USASU International Piano Competition and the Korea International Music Foundation Competition in the US, the Valsesia Musica International Competition, International Piano Competition “Citta Di Caraglio” in Italy, and the International Wettbewerb der Chopin-Gesellschaft Hannover first prize and audience prize in Germany. He is also the winner of the International Schubert Competition for Piano Duo, and has performed in many concerts as a chamber musician. Recently, he was awarded the silver medal, Best Performance of a Work by a Classical Composer and Best Performance of a Work by a Spanish, Latin American or Impressionistic Composer at the 12th San Antonio International Piano Competition.

Chang has expanded his activities by performing in Germany, Italy, Netherland, France, Japan, Taiwan, China, USA and Korea. These include a performance for the Isang Yun Memorial Concert, the North Korea National Orchestra Interaction Concert, the Kumho Rising Star Series Concert and Yamaha Rising Star Concert.

He also performed with many orchestras including the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Kyung-Ki Philharmonic Orchestra, HMTM Hannover Orchestra, Taejon Symphony Orchestra, Wonju Symphony Orchestra and KNUA Symphony Orchestra. Most notably, he has appeared at the Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles playing the Liszt Concerto No.1 and his recital at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam which was broadcast live across the country.

Mr. Chang completed his undergraduate studies at the Korea National University of Arts in Korea before he continued his studies at the University of Music Drama and Media Hannover in Germany with Professor Vladimir Krainev and Ewa Kupiec. After successfully completing the Musical Performance and Postgraduate Program courses, he is currently pursuing studies at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music under Professor Jeffrey Kahane.

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Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven

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After a break of 25 years, Evgeny Kissin has signed a new exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon. The partnership resumes with the release of Kissin’s first solo recital recording in over a decade. The double-disc set is a program of Beethoven works personally chose by Kissin from recitals given over the past ten years.

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Leann Osterkamp: Complete Piano Music of Bernstein

September 19, 2017, 9:00 am

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Leonard Bernstein’s works for piano are all collected here, including previously unpublished and unrecorded pieces. Featuring many miniatures written as tributes, gifts and memorials to friends and family, these works range across Bernstein’s composing career and reflect his unique musical style and character.

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Pierre Genisson: How I Met Mozart

September 18, 2017, 9:00 am

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Clarinetist Pierre Génisson and Quartet 212, made up of musicians from the Metropolitan Opera, gather around the quintets of Mozart and Weber. These radiant scores, where the warm and voluptuous timbre of the clarinet contrasts the brightness of the strings, frame their passionate dialogue in a sophisticated blend.