Heifetz on Air

Episode 60: A Tribute to Antonio Lysy

A tribute in words and music to the revered Heifetz Institute cellist and teacher Antonio Lysy, whose untimely death at the age of 60 shocked the music world.  Featuring performances of works by Lysy in solo and chamber music performances with Heifetz students, alumni, and faculty colleagues, all captured live in concert.
This Episode’s Playlist
Georg Friedrich Handel: Trio Sonata for Two Cellos in G, HWV 393I. AndanteAntonio Lysy, cello | Mo Mo, cello | Coleman Itzkoff, cello continuo | Andrew Rosenblum, harpsichordFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.10.2016
Astor Piazzolla: Le Grand TangoAntonio Lysy, cello | Anton Smirnoff, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.06.2017
Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73:I. Zart und mit Ausdruck [excerpt]Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, pianoDorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013
Niccolo Paganini, arr. Sergio Drabkin: Paganissimo!Steve Doane, cello | Antonio Lysy, cello | Rosemary Elliott, cello | David Geber, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 06.30.2017
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5Aria – CantilenaAngela Azzarra, soprano | Antonio Lysy, cello | Yan Ho Cheng, cello | Caroline Paulsen, cello | Nicco Maziotto, cello | Joan Herget, cello | Boubacar Diallo, cello | Roric Cunningham, cello | Davis You, celloFirst Presbyterian Church, Staunton VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.04.2019
Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73II. Zart und mit Ausdruck [excerpt]Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, pianoDorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013
Robert Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 44III. Scherzo: Molto vivaceIV. Finale: Allegro ma non troppoIlya Kaler, violin | Youjin Lee, violin | Paul Neubauer, viola | Antonio Lysy, cello | Stefan Petrov, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.172017
Robert Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73III. Rasch, und mit Feuer [excerpt]Antonio Lysy, cello | Steven Van Hauwaert, pianoDorothy Chandler Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA 01.13.2013
Go Deeper
Read the tributes to Antonio Lysy and his impact at the Heifetz Institute by colleagues Nicholas Kitchen (Heifetz Institute Artistic Director), Daniel Heifetz (Heifetz Institute Founder), and Ralph Kirshbaum (co-director, Heifetz Chamber Music Seminar) here.
Antonio Lysy describes his experience teaching at the Heifetz Institute and the particular characteristics of its students…
While the Heifetz Institute was Antonio Lysy’s main summertime activity in the USA, he had an entirely different profile in his native Italy as the founder of the renowned festival Incontri in Terra di Siena, based in Villa La Foce in Val d’Orcia, Tuscany. 

Episode 58: The Love Connection

Romance is in the air with some heart-strung melodies from Johannes Brahms, Edward Elgar, Josef Suk, and more. And we’ll also mark Valentine’s Day *and* the Lunar New Year with the touching Chinese tale of the “Butterfly Lovers,” brought to life on the Heifetz stage.
This Episode’s Playlist
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1068II. AirLiana Branscome, Isabella Gorman, Strauss Shi, violins  |  Steven Baloue, viola  |  Benjamin Fried, cello | Mishe Bjerken, bassChrist Lutheran Church, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 03.22.2022
Josek Suk: Song of Love, Op. 7Fiona Khoung-Huu, violin  |  Rohan de Silva, pianoFrancis Auditorium | Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.02.2022
Schumann: Romance, Op. 28, No. 2 [excerpt]Lynne Mackey, pianoHouse concert, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording 11.19.2020
Johannes Brahms: Viola Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1II. Andante un poco adagioIV. VivaceAndrew Gonzalez, viola  |  Anton Smirnoff, pianoFrancis Auditorium | Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.09.2015
Edward Elgar: Salut D’Amour, Op. 12Julia Angelov, violin  |  Zhenni Li-Cohen, pianoKreeger Museum of Art, Washington, DCHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.19.2019
Vivaldi: Guitar Concerto in D Major, RV 93II. Largo [excerpt]Robby Brown, Guitar  |  Danny Yehun Jin, violin  |  Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violin  |  Matt Cohen, viola  | Zhihao Wu, celloLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore Country, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.18.2018
Chen Gang / He Zhanhao: The Butterfly Lovers ConcertoJi-Won Song, violin  |  Beilin Han, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.16.2016
Go Deeper
Check out violinist Ji-Won Song‘s “audio roadmap” to the Chinese folkloric epic The Butterfly Lovers, featured on this episode.
Then there was the time when the traveling LOVEworks sculpture from the Virginia Tourism Office alighted on the Heifetz campus…
Check out this playlist  of classical pieces to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

Episode 52: December Treasures

An excerpt for the final episode of the inaugural year of Heifetz on Air – “December Treasures,” a program of great musical moments from the Heifetz Holiday Tour, chock-a-block with original arrangements of beloved classics, along with other musical keepsakes from the Heifetz Year of 2023.
 
This Episode’s Playlist
Saint-Saëns, arr. Nicholas Kitchen: The Swan, fr. Carnival of the AnimalsZeyu Zhu, cello solo | Nicholas Kitchen, violin | Ji Hyun Baik, violin | Stephen “Adam” Savage, viola | Elliott Kim, cello | Benjamin Doane, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute recording | 06,29.2023
Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2II. ScherzoPhoenix Quartet: Ilkhom Mukhiddinov, violin Hyun Ji Lee, violin | Arielle Fentress, viola | Elliott Kim, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.06.2023
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arr. Lucas Buterbaugh: Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34Julia Angelov, violin solo | Jihyun Baik, violin | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Paul Neubauer, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.15.2023
Respighi: Italiana fr. Ancient Airs & Dances [excerpt]SoHyun Ko, violin | Minchae Kim, violin | Jerome McCoy, viola | Dilshod Narzillaev, celloHeifetz Institute Recording Kreeger Museum of Art, Washington, DC | Dec. 13,.2022
Mozart: String Quintet in C Major, K. 515IV. AllegroJihyun Baik, violin | Julia Angelov, violin | Joe Skerik, viola | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloWVTF Radio Studios, Roanoke, VAWVTF Recording | 12.12.2023
Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005III. LargoIV. Allegro assaiJihyyun Baik, violinGarth Newel Music Center, Hot Springs, VAGNMC Recording | 12.17.2023
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97, “Archduke”III. Andante Cantabile [excerpt]Madison Vest, violin | Kevin Mills, cello | Carlos Avila, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 10.15.2015
George Gershwin, arr. L. Buterbaugh: Lullaby for StringsJoe Skerik, viola solo | Julia Angelov, violin | Jihyun Baik, violin | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloHorowitz Theatre, Howard Community College, Columbia, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.10.2023
Maurice Ravel, arr. E. Fine & L. Buterbaugh: KaddishPaul Neubauer, viola solo | Jihyun Baik, violin | Julia Angelov, violin | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.15.2023
Vaughan Williams, arr. N. Sabat: Suite for Viola & Small OrchestraII. CarolIII. Christmas DancePaul Neubauer, viola solo | Jihyun Baik, violin | Julia Angelov, violin | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.15.2023
Go Deeper
View the 2023 Heifetz Holiday Homecoming, recorded in the friendly confines of Francis Auditorium, on the Mary Baldwin University campus in Staunton, VA.
Listen to the special holiday broadcast on A LIttle Day Music with WVTF Music host Luke Currie, featuring our 2023 Heifetz Holiday Tour troupe in the WVTF Performance Studio!
Freshly updated for 2023, check out the Heifetz Holiday Music Channel on Soundcloud!

Episode 51: Heifetz for the Holidays

Happy Holidays! This episode features Heifetz faculty, alums, and special guests perform beloved carols, Baroque gems, and custom arrangements of holiday classics, played in Heifetz Holiday Tour stops in Baltimore, Washington, and beyond, and capped off with the annual Heifetz Holiday Homecoming concert in Staunton, Virginia.
This Episode’s Playlist 
Trad, arr. Alasdair Fraser: Shetland Set:Christmas Day Ida Moarnin/Lady Spence’s Reel/Sleep SoondKiarra Saito-Beckman, violin | Zhihao Wu, celloBlackfriars Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.10.2018
Tchaikovsky, arr. Lynne Latham: Nutcracker SuiteI. OvertureII. MarchIII. Dance of the Sugar Plum FairyIV. Arabian DanceV. TrepakDanny Yehun Jin, violin | Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Zhihao Wu, celloLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2018
Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37aXII. December [EXCERPT]Stefan Petrov, pianoLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.17.2017
Antonio Vivaldi: Christmas Concerto in B-flat, RV 270I. AllegroII. AdagioIII. AllegroAngela Chan, violin solo | Julia Angelov, violin | Kayleigh Kim, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Dilshod Narzillaev, celloKreeger Museum of Art, Washington, DCHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.19.2019
Anon: Greensleeves, to a GroundRachell Ellen Wong, violin | Coleman Itzkoff, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.19.2019
Trad., arr Matthew Naughtin: Christmas Feast: Five Ancient Carols for StringsGloria in Excelsis DeoGaudeteCarol of the BagpipersCoventry CarolVerbum Caro Factum EstJihyun Baik, violin | Julia Angelov, violin | Jane Taerim Kim, viola | Rachel Taylor, celloHorowitz Theatre, Howard Community College, Columbia, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.10.2023
Arcangelo Corelli: “Christmas” Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8I: Vivace – Grave: Arcate, sostenuto e come staII: AllegroIII: Adagio-Allegro-AdagioIV: VivaceV: AllegroVI: Largo. Pastorale ad libitumChloé Kiffer, violin | Rachell Ellen Wong, violin | Ji-Won Song, violin | Nikita Borisevich, violin | Andrew Gonzalez, viola | Coleman Itzkoff, cello | Nicholas Mariscal, cello | Stefan Petrov, harpsichordFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.18.2015
Mikola Leontovych: Ukrainian Bell CarolMinchae Kim, violin | SoHyun Ko, violin | Jerome McCoy, viola | Dilshod Narzillaev, celloWTJU Studios, Charlottesville, VAWTJU Recording | 12.08.2022
Irving Berlin, arr. Nate Sabat after Jascha Heifetz: White ChristmasChloé Kiffer, violin | Stefan Petrov, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.18.2015
Go Deeper
View the 2023 Heifetz Holiday Homecoming, recorded in the friendly confines of Francis Auditorium, on the Mary Baldwin University campus in Staunton, VA.
Listen to the special holiday broadcast on A LIttle Day Music with WVTF Music host Luke Currie, featuring our 2023 Heifetz Holiday Tour troupe in the WVTF Performance Studio!
Freshly updated for 2023, check out the Heifetz Holiday Music Channel on Soundcloud!

Episode 49: The Beethoven Experience & The Sibelius Sensation

On this episode we feature the works of Jean Sibelius & Ludwig van Beethoven… musical titans from different centuries, but both known by their groundbreakingly original and powerful music. AND both sharing December birthdays. Featuring performances from the Heifetz stage of some of the landmark compositions from the two composers. 
THIS EPISODE'S PLAYLIST
Jean Sibelius:Romance, Op. 78 No. 2Berceuse, Op. 79 No. 6Shmuel Ashkenasi, violin | Dina Vainshtain, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.13.2018
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 “Ghost”I. Allegro vivace e con brioYezu Woo, violin | Coleman Itzkoff, cello | Anton Smirnoff, pianoKreeger Museum, Washington, DCHeifetz Institute Recording | 03.17.2016
Sibelius: WaItzes, Op. 81 No. 3 [excerpt]Shmuel Ashkenasi, violin | Dina Vainshtain, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.13.2018
Sibelius: String Quartet "Voces Intimae," Op. 56:III. Adagio di moltoClara Kim, violin | Elinor Detmer, violin | John Czekanski, viola | Miles Levine, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.06,2022
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat, Op. 130V. Cavatina: Allegro Molto EspressivoJi-Won Song, violin | Heewon Koo, violin | Tabea Haarmann-Thiemann, viola | Christine J. Lee, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.03.2016
Sibelius: String Quartet "Voces Intimae," Op. 56:V. Allegro ma pesanteClara Kim, violin | Elinor Detmer, violin | John Czekanski, viola | Miles Levine, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.06.2022
Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 5 in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2I. Allegro con brio [excerpt]Kevin Mills, cello | Rita Rovanskaya, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.02.2015
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47I. Allegro moderatoZachary Brandon, violin | Beilin Han, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin UniversityHeifetz Institute Recording | 06.28.2022

Episode 48: Winter Dreams

December is here, and with it the nip in the air and the frost in the fields. On this episode we’ll explore some of the best music for the coldest time of year…a wintry mix of works by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, and more, with the help of radio icons Bob Edwards and Tom Hall.
This Episode’s Playlist
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37: XII. DecemberStefan Petrov, pianoLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.17.2017
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Russian Dance, fr. Swan Lake, Op. 20Max Yiming Mao, violin | Stefan Petrov, pianoBlackfriars Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.15.2017
arr. Pablo Casals: Song of The BirdsNoémie Raymond-Friset, cello | Stefan Petrov, pianoLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.17.2017
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on GreensleevesJi-Won Song, Kenneth Naito; violin I | Max Yiming Mao; Noelle Naito, violin II | Molly Wise, viola | Noémie Raymond-Friset, celloLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.17.2017
Ottorino Respighi: Italiana fr. Ancient Airs & Dances [excerpt]SoHyun Ko, violin | Minchae Kim, violin | Jerome McCoy, viola | Dilshod Narzaillaev, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2022
Antonio Vivaldi: “Winter” Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297 fr. The Four SeasonsBob Edwards, narrator | Danny Yehun Jin, solo violin | Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violin | Nicholas Kitchen, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Zhihao Wu, celloKreeger Museum of Art, Washington, DCHeifetz Institute Recording | 12. 17.2018
Robert Frost: Stopping By Woods On a Snowy EveningTom Hall, narratorLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2017
Antonin Dvořák, arr. Julia Egan: Silent WoodsAndrew Gonzalez, viola | Robby Brown, guitarBlackfriars Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.02.2019
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento in D Major, K. 136III. PrestoJi-Won Song, Kenneth Naito; violin I | Max Yiming Mao; Noelle Naito, violin II | Molly Wise, viola | Noémie Raymond-Friset, celloLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2017
Robert Schumann: Romance, Op. 28, No. 2 [excerpt]Lynne Mackey, pianoHouse concert, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 11.19.2020
Jean Sibelius: Souvenir, Op. 79, No. 1Kitty Amaral, violin (Elk Creek, VA) | Eshter Lim, piano (New York, NY)Heifetz Institute Virtual Recording | 07.22.2020
Hanukkah Medley: “Oh Hanukkah,” “Al Hanisim” (Thank You for the Miracles)Rachell Ellen Wong, violin | Coleman Itzkoff, celloFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2016
Go Deeper
December also ushers in our annual Heifetz Holiday Tour – two full weeks of public concerts, private musicales, outreach concerts, and radio appearances.  The 2023 Holiday Tour includes performances with the Candlelight Concerts Society in Columbia, MD, The Kreeger Museum in Washington, DC, at the Garth Newel Music Center in Hot Springs, VA, and our Heifetz Holiday Homecoming in our Staunton hometown!
Tom Hall, (pictured here with Heifetz Holiday Tour artists Matt Cohen, viola, Danny Jin, violin, Robby Brown, guitar, and Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violin) is host of the award-winning Midday program on Baltimore NPR News station WYPR.  But lending his voice to this episode is no stretch – for years he was the Music Director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society!
“In a career that has lasted more than 30 years, Bob Edwards has interviewed nearly 20,000 newsmakers. Born May 15, 1947 in Louisville, Kentucky, Edwards spent the early part of his career as a newscaster for Indiana station WHEL/New Albany, followed by a stint in Korea with Armed Forces Radio and Television….Read the Radio Hall of Fame entry of our featured speaker in this episode.who for 24 years served as host of NPR’s Morning Edition.   

Episode 47 - Thanks & Prayers

As we head into Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we bring you a program of thanks and contemplation, with works by J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Ernest Bloch, and American composers Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland, all performed in concert by Heifetz Institute musicians. 
This Episode’s Playlist
Ernest Bloch: From Jewish Life:I. PrayerZlatomir Fung, cello | Jessica Osborne, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 11.05.2023
J.S. Bach, arr. N. Kitchen:Sinfonia [Preludio] in E major from Cantata BWV 29, Wir Danken Dir, Alle GottNicholas Kitchen, violin soloPegasus Quartet:Minji Lee, violin | Maya Buchanan, violins | Gene Hotta, viola | Joan Herget, celloFirst Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.04.2021
Antonio Vivaldi: Guitar Concerto in D Major, RV 93II. LargoRobby Brown, Guitar | Danny Yehun Jin, violin | Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Zhihao Wu, celloLinehan Concert Hall, UMBC, Baltimore, MDHeifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2018
Jules Massenet: Méditation from ThaïsTommy Mesa, cello (Miami, FL) | Yoon Lee, piano (New York, NY)Virtual PerformanceHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.22.2020
J. S. Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005III. Largo [excerpt]Yezu Woo, violinChrist Lutheran Church, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 03.20.2021
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132III. Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der Lydischen Tonart – “Holy Song of Thanksgiving to the Deity, in the Lydian Mode”Borromeo Quartet: Nicholas Kitchen, violin | Kristopher Tong, violin | Mai Motobuchi, viola | Yeesun Kim, celloMt. Desert Festival of Chamber Music, Northeast Harbor, MEBorromeo Quartet Recording | 07.15.2015
Florence Price: Piano Sonata in E minorII. Andante [excerpt]Andrew Rosenblum, pianoFirst Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2021
Samuel Barber: Cello Sonata in C minor, Op. 6II. AdagioTimothy Eddy, cello | Beilin Han, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.03.2015
Trad. /Aaron Copland, arr. Nate Sabat: At The River/ShenandoahAngel Azzarra, soprano | The Heifetz Band 2017Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.04.2017
 
Go Deeper
The Beethoven “Hymn of Thanksgiving” you hear on today’s program is drawn from the landmark 12-part video series called The Beethoven Experience, fearturing concert performances by the Borromeo Quartet with fascinating commentary by violinist (and Heifetz Institute Artistic Director) NIcholas Kitchen.  See the complete rundown of the series at http://www.thebeethovenexperience.com
 

Episode 46: Fantasies and Fairy Tales

Now who doesn’t like a good fairy tale…filled with maidens, monsters, magicians, and let’s not forget evil stepmothers and murderous fathers in law?  Composers certainly do, as we’ll hear on today’s episode, “Fantasies & Fairy Tales.”   On this episode, cellist Zlatomir Fung brings the King of the UnDead to vivid life in a Czech fairy tale, some magical Mozart, fantastical Schumann, and more.
This Episode’s Playlist
Traditional, arr. Nigel Armstrong: Fantasy on “Oh Shenandoah”Nigel Armstrong, violinSouth Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 04.22.2022
Pablo de Sarasate: Fantasy on Mozart’s Magic Flute, Op. 54Ji-Won Song, violin | Jun Cho, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Stuanton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.05.2017
Beethoven: “Archduke” Trio in B-flat, Op. 97III. Andante Cantabile [excerpt]Madison Vest, violin | Kevin Mills, cello | Carlos Avila, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 10.15.2015
Robert Schumann: Märchenbilder (Fairy Tale Pictures), Op.113I. Nicht schnell. ModeratoII. Lebhaft, vivoSteven Baloue, viola | Lynne Mackey, pianoSouth Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 04.22.2022
Max Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, op. 46III. Andante Sostenuto (“I’m a’doun for lack o’ Johnnie.”)Julia Schilz, violin | Beilin Han, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 08.07.2018
Schumann: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73I. Zart und mit Ausdruck (Tender and with expression)Mo Mo, cello | Carlos Avila, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 07.05.2015
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel:Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11III. Lied [excerpt]Yezu Woo, violin | Noémie Raymond-Friset, cello | Michel-Alexandre Broekaert, pianoSouth Market Stage, Grace Christian SchoolHeifetz Institute Recording | 03.25.2022
Leoš Janáček: Pohádka (Fairy Tale)Zlatomir Fung, cello | Jessica X. Osborne, pianoFrancis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Stuanton, VAHeifetz Institute Recording | 11.05.2023
Go Deeper
Set against the backdrop of the Soviet invasion and subsequent suppression of the “Prague Spring” uprising in 1968 Czechoslovakia, the 1998 film The Unbearable Lightness of Being is “an ambitious, even reverential adaptation of Milan Kundera’s brilliant novel of love and ideas,” according to Vogue. It was also a bit of a “star turn” for the Czech composer Leos Janáček, (the author Kundera’s favorite composer), whose Pohádka (Fairy Tale) is featured throughout.  See the complete list of Janáček’s music in the film here.
“There have been speculations, based in his journal entries, that movements of Märchenbilder were inspired by the stories of Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Sleeping Beauty, but we cannot claim to know for sure. However, it’s very likely that Schumann was familiar with Grimm’s Fairy Tales, first published in Germany in 1812 and 1814, and the more Gothic works of E.T.AHoffmann, both of which could have influenced his composing. Take a deep dive into the discussion of Schumann’s Fairy Tale Pictures, featured in this episode.
Schumann was fond of both Fairy Tales and Fantasies: Mozart wrote no fewer than 41 “free fantasies.” Pianist  Piotr Anderszewski noticed: “Anderszewski is drawn to both composers because they seemed to have a short, direct line from brainstorm to finished masterpiece.”  Check out this NPR review of the Polish virtuoso’s 2017 album Fantasies.