Alpha & Omega

In the novel Steppenwolf the protagonist Harry Haller observes that Brahms and Wagner were seen as being as far apart in music as possible and yet in Hell they suffer for the same sin - over orchestration. Liszt and Brahms were both following the footsteps of Beethoven and they grew in totally different directions.

On the Piano this Sunday, Alpha and Omega, the music from different ends of the romantic spectrum. Hear the Piano at 5 this Sunday afternoon on KPAC & KTXI.

host Randy Anderson

More great performances left!

One thing that can be said about the most recent San Antonio International Piano Competition is there was no lack of great contestants. On the Piano this Sunday another performance of Alberto Ginastera's Sonata No. 1. There is also a Ballade of Chopin, a taxing virtuoso Etude called Superstar by Aaron Jay Kernis and a rarity in the concert hall, Johannes Brahms First Piano Sonata.

Hear it all on The Piano, this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC and KTXI.

host, Randy Anderson

Alpha & Omega

In their lifetimes Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms were seen as opposite ends of the musical spectrum. Liszt was perceived as emotional and virtuosic while Brahms methodic and serious was thought to follow in the footsteps of the great masters.

Is this still true today? Find out on the Piano this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC and KTXI.

host, Randy Anderson

Maestro Andrew Grams

Texas Public Radio will speak with all the candidates for the San Antonio Symphony Music Director Search and have them on Classical Spotlight. You'll get a chance to learn more about the maestros - don't forget to attend the symphony and fill out the questionaire as well!

This week we talk with Andrew Grams. John Clare asked about the program, music and having a violin background.

Vocal Recital: Brahms

Unlike the symphony, the string quartet or the piano sonata which belong to phases of Brahms creative output his vocal work spanned his entire life. This arc of more than four decades is bracketed by two masterworks Liebestreu (opus 3, #1 - 1853/54) and Vier ernste Gesange (opus 121 - 1896). It was in fact this early song that so impressed the violinist Joachim that it led to Brahms introduction to the Schumann's. A hundred years later Joachim's granddaughter Irene, a great recitalist based in Paris, recorded Brahms vocal works and will also be featured among the singers in this program.

Celebrating the 175th anniversary of his birth we will hear music drawn from his lieder, ensemble, vocal cantatas and his vast choral production. Performers will include Fischer-Dieskau, Schwarzkopf, Slezak, Lehman, Kipnis, Ludwig, Souzay, von Otter, Bernstein, Barenboim, Norman, Ameling and many others. Please join us at 9pm, November 6th on KPAC & KTXI for Brahms Vocal Works.

Classical Spotlight: Death Mass, Death Mass, Hey-O!

We asked the "Carnac the Magnificent" about a card from the mayo jar on the KPAC/KTXI board, that had "Death Mass, Death Mass, Hey-O!" written on it.

Carnac replied: "What is Classical Spotlight?"

Yes! You are correct sir!

This week we feature performances right here in San Antonio with two requiems and Doc Severinsen (not all on one stage or together!) on Classical Spotlight!

The San Antonio Symphony Pops feature Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida tomorrow and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Majestic Theater.

Christ Episcopal Church performs Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem this Saturday evening at 7:30, led by Ken-David Masur.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church celebrates their 150th Anniversary with Faure's Requiem Sunday night at 5pm, conducted by Ed Rieke.

Musical Memories

I took a trip down memory lane this morning, listening to Deirdre Saravia playing Brahms' Double Concerto with Issac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma. It's been awhile since I've heard it (at least 4 or 5 months!) and I immediately remembered a high school sweetheart.
You see I went out with another violinist in Youth Symphony back in Wichita. We were freshman and wanted to be professional musicians. Besides seeing each other at rehearsals (she went to McPherson and I was a Derby student) we also ushered at the Wichita Symphony concerts. There we heard Brahms' Double Concerto - and it was our song! We'd talk on the phone and talk of orchestra, music and of course recordings of the Brahms. I would often play the LP of the Stern/Ma recording and think about my sweetheart (and even try to play along with the record!)
Jenna moved that summer with her folks to Rome, Italy and I've never seen her again, we fell out of touch but we'll always have Brahms' Double Concerto.

Do you have a memory to a particular piece of music? Share it with us in the comments section, or blog about it and send us the link!

John Clare, afternoon host