Recorded at the DeAngelis
Studio in September - October 2000.
Since 1994, Dr. William D.
West has facilitated insightful and entertaining programs on many of the great
composers. He, together with the finest pianists and vocalists for our
Syracuse area, create an environment rich in musical history, full of
stories that help us appreciate lives of the composers and give us
insight into their musical thought.
This four CD set includes some
of the most enjoyed compositions of Franz Schubert. Moderated by Dr.
West, and artistically performed by local favorite pianists - Sar Shalom
Strong, Steven Rosenfeld, Patricia DeAngelis, Steven and Amy Heyman,
Patricia Marcus, Nancy Pease, Vivien Slater. As well as selected
lieder performance Carol Ansell Spradling (mezzo-soprano) and John Spradling
(piano).
Contents
of CD 1:
Introduction
to the Schubert Series by Dr. William D. West
Recorded October and November 2001 in
Fayetteville, New York
Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 sonatas
for piano unquestionably represent one of the pillars of the pianist's
repertoire. To be sure, there is uniformly high quality among each and
every one of these works.
At the same
time, there are certain sonatas that stand out even among these 32
outstanding compositions. The music
chosen for this three-part series fits into either one of two categories:
the sonatas are either an example of the titled works that have received
significant recognition over the decades and centuries (“Appassionata”, “Pastoral”, and “Les Adieux,") or they are some of the most revered works
ever written by the composer - the last three sonatas he wrote, Op. 109, 110, and
111, respectively.
Presented as a four CD set, each sonata is first
discussed then beautifully performed giving the listener critical insights into these
major works.
Recorded at the DeAngelis
Studio in September - October 2002.
Franz
Liszt was a brilliant pianist, the great virtuoso of the early part of the
19th century. Not only did he perform his own works in masterly fashion but
also those of other composers, many of whom he encouraged and helped along
in their earlier careers. His transciptions of operatic and orchestral
works, such as Berlioz's Symphonie
fantastique, remain remarkable feats, and his ability to read
another composer's work at sight was astonishing
During
this lecture series focus was on the piano music, which inevitably
formed the greater part of Liszt's output (original works, fantasias and
transcriptions). It includes the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E
flat (as transcribed for two pianos) performed by Amy and
Steven
Heyman and the Piano Sonata in B minor (one of the greatest of
all works for solo piano) in an exciting performance by Dr. William John
Newbrough. Also included is the moving Ballade No. 2 in B minor,
the favorites Liebestraume and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in
C# minor as performed by Dr. Steven Rosenfeld.
and selections from the Annees de Pelerinage: Deuxieme Annee - Italie were
artistically interpreted by Patricia DeAngelis.
With great wit Dr. West
discusses Liszt's musical innovations and idiosyncrasies; these often
baffled and annoyed his rivals but which had a considerable impact upon
later developments in 19th century music.
