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Archives Find past shows by date:  Complete archive
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July 6-12, 2009
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Monday, July 6
Joaquin Jesus Rodrigo ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Joaquin Rodrigo (1902 – 1999): Concierto Aranjuez Manuel Barrueco, guitar; Philharmonia Orchestra; Placido Domingo, cond. EMI 56175 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Rodrigo MPR's Rodrigo Tribute ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1864—Brazilian composer Alberto Nepomuceno, in Fortaleza 1898—German composer Hans Eisler, in Leipzig 1906 —English composer Dame Elizabeth Lutyens, in London Deaths: 1971 —Jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, age 71, in New York City 1973—German conductor and composer Otto Klemperer, age 88, in Zürich 1999—Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo, age 97, in Madrid Premieres: 1963 — Leslie Bassett: "Variations for Orchestra," in Rome; Following the American premiere on October 22, 1965 with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy, this work was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1966 1968 — David Del Tredici: "Syzygy" (to a text by James Joyce), in New York City 1977 — Tippett: opera, "The Ice Break" at Covent Garden in London Other: 1913—In Paris, the Grand Prix de Rome music award is given to 19 year-old French composer Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), the first woman to be so honored
Tuesday, July 7
John Williams' Cello Concerto ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: John Williams (b. 1932): Cello Concerto Yo Yo Ma, cello; Los Angeles Recording Arts Orchestra; John Williams, cond. Sony 89670 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On John Williams ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1860—Austrian composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, in Kalischt, Bohemia 1911—Italian-born American composer and conductor Gian Carlo Menotti, in Cadegliano 1940—Drummer and songwriter Ringo Starr (of the Beatles), in Liverpool, England Deaths: 1968—American organist and composer Leo Sowerby, age 73, in Fort Clinton, Ohio Premieres: 1713 — Handel: "Utrecht Te Deum," at St. Paul's Cathedral in London (Gregorian Date: July 18) 1956 — Moore: opera "The Ballade of Baby Doe," in Center City, Colo.; According to Opera America, this is one of the most frequently-produced American operas during the past decade 1994 — John Williams: Cello Concerto, at the opening of Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Mass., by the Boston Symphony, with the composer conducting and Yo-Yo Ma the soloist 2001 — David Ward-Steinman: "Dublin Down," for 2 pianos, during the College Music Society International Conference in Limerick, Ireland, by the composer and Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman Other: 1720—Funeral of J.S. Bach's first wife, Maria Barbara (age 35); The cause of her death is unknown, and Bach's son Carl Philip Emmanuel reported that his father was at Carlsbad when she died: "The news that she had been ill and died reached him only when he entered his own house"; 1747—J.S. Bach dedicates his "Musical Offering" to Frederich the Great of Prussia 1791—Haydn conducts his Symphony No. 92 ("Oxford") at the Sheldonian Theater of Oxford University, where he was awarded an honorary degree.
Wednesday, July 8
Percy Grainger, wildman ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Percy Grainger (1882 – 1961): Country Gardens Martin Jones, piano Nimbus 7703 & Percy Grainger (1882 – 1961): To a Nordic Princess Danish National Radio Symphony; Richard Hickox, cond. Chandos 9721 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Percy Grainger Grainger Society Web site ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1882—Australian-born American composer and pianist Percy Aldrich Grainger, in Melbourne; He became a USA citizen in 1919 1900—American composer George Antheil, in Trenton, N.J. Deaths: 1839—Spanish composer Fernando Sor, age 61, in Paris Premieres: 1940 — Randall Thompson: "Allelujah" at the opening of the Berkshire Music Center in Lenox, Mass. 1942 — Sir Lenox Berkeley: Symphony No. 1 in London, conducted by the composer 1987 — Judith Weir: opera "A Night at the Chinese Opera" in Cheltenham, England 1988 — Philip Glass: opera "The Making of the Representative for Planet 8" (after a sci-fi novel by Doris Lessing), by Houston Grand Opera 2000 — John Williams: "TreeSong" for Violin and Orchestra, at Tanglewood with Gil Shaham and the Boston Symphony, composer conducting Other: 1588—English composer and lutenist John Dowland receives B. Mus. Degree from Christ Church, Oxford
Thursday, July 9
Diamond and Chihara ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: David Diamond (b. 1915): Symphony No. 2 Seattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, cond. Delos 3093 & Paul Chihara (b. 1938): The Tempest Suite Performing Arts Orchestra; Jean-Louis LeRoux, cond. Reference 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On David Diamond On Paul Chihara ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1879—Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, in Bologna 1915—American composer David Diamond, in Rochester, N.Y. 1938—Japanese-American composer Paul Chihara, in Seattle Deaths: 1747—Italian opera composer, Giovanni Bonocini, age 76, in Vienna; He was the famous (and unsuccessful) rival of Handel's for the favor of the opera-loving public in London 1960—American composer Edward Burlington Hill, age 87, in Francesrtown, New Hampshire 1984—American composer and teacher Randall Thompson, age 85, in Boston Premieres: 1957 — Hartmann: opera "Simplicius Simplicissimus" (revised version), in Mannheim at the Nationaltheater; This opera was premiered in a concert version in Munich by the Bavarian Radio on April 2, 1948 1969 — Lennox Berkeley: Symphony No. 3, in Cheltenham, England 2001 — Steven Stucky: "Three Little Pieces for David," for piano (written for the 65th birthday of conductor David Zinman), by Yefim Bronfman at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado.
Friday, July 10
John Corigliano's Violin Sonata ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: John Corigliano, Jr. (b. 1938): Violin Sonata John Corigliano, Sr., violin; Ralph Votapek, piano CRI 659 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On John Corigliano ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1835—Polish composer and violinist Henryk Wieniawski, in Lubin 1895 —German composer and music educator, Carl Orff, in Munich 1933—Broadway composer Jerry Herman, in New York City Deaths: 1940—British composer and conductor Sir Donald Tovey, age 64, in Edinburgh 1941—Jazz pianist and composer Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, age 55, in Los Angeles 1979—American conductor of the Boston Pops, Arthur Fiedler, age 84; He started the first outdoor "Esplanade Concerts" in Boston in 1929 and the famous "Boston Pops" series in 1930; In 1979, Fiedler was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom 1983 —German composer Werner Egk, age 82, in Inning (near Munich) Premieres: 1733 — Handel: oratorio "Athalia," in Oxford at the Sheldonian Theater, with Handel conducting from keyboard (Gregorian date: July 21) 2001 — Bernstein (arr. William David Brohn): "West Side Story" Suite for violin and orchestra, in New York's Central Park, with soloist Joshua Bell and the New York Philharmonic, William Eddins, conducting Other: 1741—Charles Jennens, the librettist for Handel's oratorio "Saul," writes to a friend: "Handel says he will do nothing next Winter, but I hope I shall persuade him to set another Scripture collection I have made for him, and perform it for his own benefit in passion week. I hope he will lay out his whole genius and skill upon it, that the composition may excel as his former compositions, as the subject excels every other subject. The subject is Messiah." (Gregorian date: July 21)
Saturday, July 11
Bernstein and the Pops ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990): Divertimento for Orchestra Boston Pops; John Williams, cond. Philips 416 360 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Leonard Bernstein and the Boston Pops ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1836—Brazilian opera composer Antonio Carlo Gomes, in Campinas Deaths: 1937—American composer George Gershwin, age 38, in Hollywood, following an operation on a cystic brain tumor Premieres: 1882 — MacDowell: "Modern Suite" No. 1 for Piano, in Zurich, with composer as soloist 1921 — Gershwin: musical revue, "George White's Scandals of 1921," at the Liberty Theater in New York City 1996 — James MacMillan: "The World's Ransoming" (English horn Concerto), at the Barbican in London, by soloist Christine Pendrill with the London Symphony, Kent Nagano conducting 2003 — Peter Maxwell Davies: "Naxos Quartet" No. 2, at the Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham (UK), as part of the Cheltenham International Festival by the Maggini Quartet; Other: 1798—In the nation's capital of Philadelphia, President John Adams signed an Act of Congress establishing the United States Marine Band (The original "32 drummers and fifers" assisted in recruiting and entertained residents) 1885 —First concert of the Boston "Promenade" Orchestra (later dubbed the Boston "Pops") at the old Music Hall in Boston; Adolf Neuendorff conducts; 1922—Opening concert of the Hollywood Bowl, with German conductor Alfred Hertz at the podium 1940—Leonard Bernstein's first appearance as conductor of a professional orchestra, leading a performance of Wagner's Act I Prelude to "Die Meistersinger" with the Boston Pops at an open-air Esplanade Concert 1998—"The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band, America's oldest professional musical organization, marks its 200th anniversary
Sunday, July 12
Americans in Paris ... MUSIC PLAYED ON TODAY'S PROGRAM: George Whitefield Chadwick (1854 – 1931): Melpomene Overture Detroit Symphony; Neeme Jarvi, cond. Chandos 9439 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: On Chadwick On Chadwick as an opera composer ALSO ON THIS DATE: Births: 1861—Russian composer Anton Arensky, in Novgorod; Under the Julian "Old Style" calendar still in use in Russia in that year, this date would be listed as June 30 1885—English composer George Butterworth, in London; As a British soldier, he was killed during battle of Pozieres in 1916 1895—American musical theater lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, in New York; He provided lyrics for Rudolf Friml's "Rose Marie" (1924), Siegmund Romberg's "The Desert Song" (1926), and Jerome Kern's "Show Boat" (1926); He collaborated with Richard Rodgers on several Broadway classics such as "Carousel" (1945), "South Pacific" (1949), and "The King and I" (1951); He was also the principal mentor of American composer Stephen Sondheim Deaths: 1773—German composer and flutist, Johann Joachim Quantz, age 76, in Postdam 1953—Belgian composer Joseph Jongen, age 79, at Sart-lez-Spa Premieres: 1716 — Handel: Concerto Grosso in F, Op. 3, no. 4a (Julian date: July 1); 1900 — Fauré: "Requiem," (orchestrated version) in Paris, at the Paris World Exhibition 1922 — Hindemith: "Kleine Kammermusik" for winds, Op. 24, no. 2, in Cologne (Germany), by the Frankfurt Chamber Winds 1940 — Ginastera: ballet "Pananbi," in Buenos Aires 1946 — Britten: opera "The Rape of Lucretia" at the Glyndebourne Festival in England 1972 — Peter Maxwell Davies: opera, "Taverner," in London at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden 1976 — Henze: opera, "We Come to the River," in London at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden 1992 — Christopher Rouse: Violin Concerto, at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, by the Aspen Festival Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin, with soloist Cho-Liang Lin 1993 — William Bolcom: Violin Sonata No 3, at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin, and the composer at the piano; 1993 — Andrew Lloyd-Webber: musical "Sunset Boulevard," in London; The musical opened in Los Angeles on December 2, 1993, and on Broadway on November 17, 1994 Other: 1971—A touring production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" starts a cross-country American run; The musical would open on Broadway on October 12, 1971 |
