Week of December 2, 2024 - Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) The finest example of late Russian Romanticism. This Russian composer held on to being a Romantic composer well into the twentieth century, a time when his fellow composers like Stravinsky and Prokofiev were forever reinventing Classical music. We will dedicate this week to exploring the private life and music of this lyrically gifted pianist and composer. Rachmaninoff once said, “If you want to know me, you must know my music."
Week of December 9, 2024 - From This Mighty River: Music of the Children of JS Bach Music flowed from the Bach family in a seemingly never-ending torrent for generations, and the three sons of Johann Sebastian are no exception. This week we’ll listen to the music of Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, and Johann Christian Bach as they continue their father’s legacy into the Classical era.
Week of December 16, 2024 - Invitation to the Dance, Part III This third installment of our series on dance music will center on the charmed life of George Balanchine, the chief choreographer of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Born in St. Petersburg, Balanchine became a dancer and accomplished pianist, and we will listen to the music that inspired him to choreograph his iconic dance movements. This music will include works by JS Bach, Maurice Ravel, Peter Tchaikovsky, and Balanchine’s longtime friend, Igor Stravinsky.
Week of December 23, 2024 - Vienna, Part 1 A two-week exploration of the rich culture of Vienna, this great musical capital is commonly referred to as the City of Music. Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven all made their way to Vienna, where they developed and deepened their art. Then along came Franz Schubert, who was born in Vienna, and many other composers also found their way to Vienna, including Brahms from up north. And, of course, this is the city of the waltz with Johann Strauss Jr. and Joseph Lanner.
