Interview with Robert. R. Reilly

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

Robert R. Reilly has pursued a most unusual career. He was the music critic for Crisis magazine for 16 years, and continues to review concerts and operas for Ionarts, an arts blog that covers the Washington DC area and elsewhere. He has also …

KABELAC: Symphonies Nos. 1-8

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

KABELÁČ  Symphonies Nos. 1-8 —  Marko Ivanović, cond; Prague RSO  —  SUPRAPHON SU 4202-2 (4 CDs: 3:58:23) Miloslav Kabeláč (1908-1979) is generally recognized within the Czech Republic as their most important composer from the generation following Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959). However, his reputation seems barely to …

WILLIAM SCHUMAN: American Festival Overture

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

Program Notes The American Festival Overture is one of William Schuman’s earliest works to achieve success and his first to be recorded. It was composed in 1939 at the encouragement of Serge Koussevitzky, who promised to perform it with the Boston Symphony. …

WILLIAM SCHUMAN: Composer Profile

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

Program Notes During the 1960s William Schuman was one of the most prominent figures in America’s classical music world—“probably the most powerful figure in the world of art music” and “the most important musical administrator of the 20th century,” according …

BARBER: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

Program Notes Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto was one of the greatest popular successes of his later years. It was commissioned by his publisher G. Schirmer, in celebration of their hundredth anniversary, with a premiere to take place during the opening week of …

GIANNINI: The Medead and songs by other composers

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

GIANNINI: The Medead ● Irene Jordan (sop); Henry Sopkin, cond; Atlanta SO (World  Premiere: 10/60); Paul Paray, cond; Detroit SO (1/4/62); songs by other composers ● JORDAN YSL T-343 (mono, analog); 2 CDs: 118:01 (Available from www.norpete.com) I am grateful to Joel Flegler for permitting me, as …

HOVHANNES: Symphony No. 2, “Mysterious Mountain”

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

Alan Hovhaness: Symphony No. 2, “Mysterious Mountain” Program Notes “Mysterious Mountain” is probably Alan Hovhaness’ most popular and often-performed orchestral work. It was commissioned by Leopold Stokowski, for his first concert as music director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra in …

Arnold Rosner (1945-2013)

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

American composer Arnold Rosner died in his Brooklyn apartment on his 68th birthday, November 8, 2013. Rosner was born in New York City, where his father owned a candy store. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, NYU, and …

PISTON Symphonies: No. 5; No. 7; No. 8.

wswebmaster on December 2, 2018

PISTON Symphonies: No. 5; No. 7; No. 8. • Robert Whitney, Jorge Mester, conductor; Louisville Orchestra. • ALBANY AR011 [AAD]; 65:50. Produced by Howard Scott and Andrew Kazdin. For those who missed them during their days as Louisville LPs, this CD …