Student Recital: Faure, Caplet, Hindemith and Schumann
A student recital. The program:
Faure: Impromptu in D-flat major, Op.86
Danyi Xia, harp
Danyi plays two works for us on this program, beginning with Gabriel Faure. After an atypically bold opening statement, Faure takes us to an Impressionist dream world in this work composed in 1904 for a concert at the Paris Conservatoire.
Caplet: Divertissements
Danyi Xia, harp
Andre Caplet lived from 1878 to 1925, and is known chiefly today for his friendship and working association with Claude Debussy. While overlooked by history, Caplet's own music is interesting, including a number of works for voice. His life was cut short by disease resulting from the trench warfare of World War I.
Hindemith: Sonata for Trombone & Piano
Alexander Walden, trombone; Elena Jivaeva, piano
Violinist, violist, conductor and teacher—Paul Hindemith could do it all. Among his many musical projects was to compose at least one solo work for every instrument. This four-movement sonata dates from 1941, and treats trombone and piano with equal importance.
Schumann: Frauenliebe und Leben
Nian Wang, mezzo-soprano; Mikael Eliasen, piano
"A Woman's Life and Love" is the title of this eight-song cycle from 1840, based on poems of Adelbert von Chamisso. The cycle takes us from the lovers' first meeting, to their life together as wife and husband, to death and even beyond. No doubt Schumann was at least partially inspired by his love for Clara Wieck Schumann.
Musical Word of the Week: "Divertimento" (or "Divertissement")
Music: an instrumental composition in several movements, light and diverting in character, similar to a serenade.
