by Daniel Hathaway
IN MEMORIAM DAVID BOE & LYNN HARRELL:
Yesterday brought news of the passing of long-time Oberlin Conservatory dean and organ professor David Boe (84, in Chicago, of complications of COVID-19), and cellist Lynn Harrell (76, of undisclosed causes) who served as principal cello of The Cleveland Orchestra from 1964-1971 (he took up the post under George Szell at the age of 18).
Boe focused more on pedagogy than performing (he retired in May 2008 after 46 years of teaching at Oberlin). Recordings of his playing are few and include performances of C.P.E. Bach and Mendelssohn on the 1982, 2-LP Gasparo recording Organs of Oberlin. He did make an appearance on the 1986 Nebraska Public Television documentary, Wind at One’s Fingertips, about Lincoln organbuilder Gene Bedient’s new instrument for Grand Rapids, Michigan (watch here). Click here to read the Oberlin Conservatory obituary by Erich Burnett.
Listen here to Beethoven Piano Trios performed by Harrell with Vladimir Ashkenazy and Itzhak Perlman — the lineup and repertoire that earned the three musicians a Grammy Award.
TODAY’S STREAMS:
Check the Concert Listings for details about today’s Lunchtime With The Cleveland Orchestra, a virtual violin & piano performance from CIM, and the MET Opera’s HD archive broadcast of Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux. While you’re there, have a look at new entries in the On Demand section that include the latest Apollo’s Fire and Akron Symphony streams.
TODAY’S ALMANAC:
Along with reporting about those who have departed, it’s good to take note of three musical personalities who entered the world on this date in the late 19th century.
English conductor Sir Thomas Beecham was born in 1879, the son of a wealthy pill manufacturer. Together with Sir Malcolm Seargant, he founded the London Philharmonic and attracted a cult following, leaving a trail of witty and occasionally wicked bon mots, some authentic, some (like many memorable quips) spurious.
Here’s a vintage (and therefore noisy) 1927 recording of a Beecham performance of Part I of Handel’s Messiah with the BBC Chorus, played on an HMV cabinet gramophone. Beyond the sonic values, it’s interesting to compare this with modern, historically-informed performances.
And during this uncertain period for the world’s orchestras, it’s informative to view the 1943 film Battle for Music, a docudrama featuring Sir Malcolm Sergeant and the London Philharmonic as they faced bankruptcy at the outbreak of World War II. It’s set in the context of a film club feed.
On April 29 of 1899, American composer and band leader Edward Ellington (“Duke”) was born in Washington, DC. Here’s a rare piano solo recital he gave in Australia during the 1980s that seems totally appropriate for 2020 — there’s no audience present.
