by Daniel Hathaway
ON THE WEB AND THE AIRWAVES THIS WEEKEND:
Reaching into recent and earlier archives, WCLV’s Cleveland Orchestra on the Radio features Bruckner’s 7th Symphony under Franz Welser-Möst on Saturday, and Weber, Mozart, and Beethoven led by George Szell on Sunday. The MET Opera changes things up on Saturday with The Opera House, a 2017 feature-length documentary about the 1966 creation of the New Met in Lincoln Center, then returns to opera on Sunday with “Cav and Pag.” Also on Sunday, violinist Edwin Huizinga and guitarist William Coulter, who perform together as Fire and Grace, offer folk and Baroque for Mother’s Day, and in the latest episode of Oberlin Stage Left, the Oberlin Orchestra plays Berlioz’ Roman Carnival Overture and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring in Finney Chapel in advance of its 2016 appearance at Chicago’s Symphony Center. And, just announced for Sunday, Puccini’s Turandot featuring soprano Othalie Graham is the subject of the Detroit Symphony’s latest watch party. See our Concert Listings for details.htt
Also in time for Mother’s Day, Apollo’s Fire has posted Episode 11 of its Music for the Soul series. “Laughter and Smiles” offers two playlists that include Telemann’s Funeral Cantata for a Beloved Pet Canary, a Tango Concerto, a new version of Vivaldi’s La Folia (“Madness”) featuring an exploding cello bow, and a collection of Appalachian ballads. Watch here.
THIS WEEKEND’S ALMANAC:
Was he Danish or German? The borders moved rather frequently in Dietrich Buxtehude’s corner of Europe. The organist-composer, who died in Lübeck on May 9, 1707, radiated influence so far and wide that the 20-year-old Johann Sebastian Bach walked some 250 miles from Arnstadt to study with him at Lübeck’s Mariankirche. Later, Handel paid a visit on the elderly organist — who also served as treasurer of the church — with the thought of succeeding him. The deal fell through when he learned that it included marrying Buxtehude’s eldest daughter.
Click here to watch a November, 2017 performance of Buxtehude’s cantata Alles was ihr tut by the Oberlin Cantata Project at Cleveland’s Church of the Covenant. Matt Bickett leads the period instrument ensemble. And here to listen to Buxtehude’s Passacaglia, played by Ton Koopman on the 1686 Arp Schnitger organ in Norden, Germany, pitched at A=473 hz. and tuned in meantone.
On May 9, 1965, pianist Vladimir Horowitz made a triumphant return to New York’s Carnegie Hall after a dozen year break (the ovation lasted fully half an hour). Listen to a brief recollection by critic Tim Page here, and go here to pick selections from the album Historic Horowitz: Live and Unedited, The Legendary 1965 Carnegie Hall Return Concert.
And on May 10, 1914, the legendary British tenor Richard Lewis was born in Manchester. Frequently featured in Glyndbourne productions, Lewis was particularly celebrated for his stylish performances of Handel. Click here to listen to a recitative and aria (“Waft her, angels”) from Jeptha, and here to listen to a rare 1965 BBC interview.
THIS WEEKEND’S FEATURED VIDEO:
Cleveland Orchestra Principal Cello Mark Kosower was scheduled to play the final performance on the Arts Renaissance Tremont series this Sunday — a series that has suffered the cancellation of the rest of its 29th season due to the Coronavirus as well as the death of its founder, Christine Haff-Paluck, due to breast cancer.
For a look into what goes through a cellist’s mind when preparing one of the major works in the repertory — the Dvořák concerto — watch Kosower’s Cellobello Zoom video from May 3 here. Though intended for the enlightenment of cellists, who submitted questions during the session, it should be fascinating for the general listener as well.
And if you haven’t yet submitted a tribute to Chris Haff-Paluck for our special page, take this opportunity to send your comment by email.
