In the world of classical music, it sometimes happens that a major work lies dormant, undiscovered and unperformed, for a very long time. Consider the case of The Trojans, today known as a peak achievement in Romantic opera. Berlioz finished composing it in 1858. The first complete performance took place in 1890. Not until Colin Davis championed and recorded The … [Read more...] about BURIED TREASURE: Arthur Farwell’s “Hako” — Will String Quartets Have the Courage to Perform It?
Copland and Joe McCarthy on NPR – a “Surreal Experience”
“Aaron Copland and the Spirit of Labor Day” – the radio documentary I was delighted to produce for the enterprising NPR newsmagazine “1A” – is archived here. I received a wonderfully bristling response from Steve Robinson, who for more than a decade ran WFMT/Chicago when it was (by far) the best classical-music radio station in the US. Steve writes: “The Copland program … [Read more...] about Copland and Joe McCarthy on NPR – a “Surreal Experience”
Joe McCarthy Grills Aaron Copland: “As your Communist Party record is extremely long . . . “
“As your Communist Party record is extremely long, I think counsel [i.e., Roy Cohn] will want to ask you some questions. . . . Those who underestimate the work the staff has done in the past end up occasionally before a Grand Jury.” --Senator Joseph McCarthy, addressing Aaron Copland (May 26, 1953) This chilling audio re-enactment, with Edward Gero as McCarthy, is an … [Read more...] about Joe McCarthy Grills Aaron Copland: “As your Communist Party record is extremely long . . . “
Toradze’s Piano Stories — Take Two
My recent posting of Behrouz Jamali's extraordinary film about Alexander Toradze produced a couple of comments so extraordinary that I'm re-posting them here. The first is from David Bondy, an attorney who was once in artists' management: I too have been mesmerized by Toradze’s recording of the Prokofiev 2. The first movement unfolds like no one else’s. Others who tackle … [Read more...] about Toradze’s Piano Stories — Take Two
Dvorak’s Prophecy — “Essential Cultural History”
Kirkus Reviews, which previews books for booksellers, critics, and others in the know, has just previewed my forthcoming Dvorak’s Prophecy and the Vexed Fate of Black Classical Music. It’s been accorded a star (good news) – and the review itself grasps my book whole. In summary: “Horowitz closes with a clarion call for American classical music to ‘acquire a viable … [Read more...] about Dvorak’s Prophecy — “Essential Cultural History”