On this special artist focus podcast, The Music of Masterworks features Academy-award winning composer John Corigliano as he discusses the new work “The Red Violin Concerto” and the superb violinist Joshua Bell.

***** iTunes customer review …

“Corigliano’s new Red Violin Concerto is destined to become one of the great concertos of our time…there is something here for everyone.”

- Modern Classic, iTunes - Sept. 2007

THE RED VIOLIN CONCERTO: Amazon.com | iTunes

FOR MORE INFORMATION: John Corigliano

On this special artist focus podcast, The Music of Masterworks features violinist Joshua Bell breaking down his work on the Academy-award winning film “The Red Violin” and the new John Corigliano album and composition “The Red Violin Concerto.”

A recent amazon.com customer review …

Five SPECTACULAR Stars!! A marvelous, dramatic live premier performance by the violinist and orchestra and a mesmerizingly adventurous performance by the violinist & pianist duo!! The last time they met, Grammy-award winning violin virtuoso Joshua Bell joined forces with the brilliant classical composer John Corigliano on the soundtrack to the François Gira film “The Red Violin” and it won an Academy Award. That 20 track soundtrack has been re-imagined by Mr Corigliano into a wonderful four movement composition called “The Red Violin Concerto” which is performed here brilliantly by Mr Bell, conductor Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The piece is dedicated to Mr Corigliano’s father. In addition, there is the five movement “Sonata for Violin and Piano” performed by Mr Bell and the amazing pianism of Jeremy Denk.

The ‘Pieces De Resistance’, the best of the best, begin with the Red Violin Concerto’s ‘knock-out’ of a 16 minute multi-layered, multi-tempo “Chaconne” movement that runs the gamut of emotions from ethereal to intense, from arco to pizzacato, beautifully played by Joshua Bell and supported by Ms Alsop and the orchestra. A ‘Tour de Force’ in one movement! That’s followed by ‘castanet’-like accents, skittering notes, and a marvelous dissonant waltz in the second “Pianissimo Scherzo” movement with Mr Bell playing like a dervish, displaying a wonderful tone. And lastly, the thrilling ‘train ride’ of the final “Accelerando” movement with Bell playing hard, fast, and heartfelt amid orchestral cacophony full of surprises. The “Sonata for Violin and Piano” is almost a microcosm of the Concerto with beautiful themes, especially the plaintive “Lento”, taunt violin soliloquies, and technical bowed fireworks abounding. Joshua Bell, Ms Alsop and the orchestra, and Mr Denk are absolutely superb as is the composer Mr Corigliano. Kudos to all concerned!! My Highest Recommendation. Five HUGE Stars

- Amazon.com - Sept. 2007

THE RED VIOLIN CONCERTO: Amazon.com | iTunes

FOR MORE INFORMATION: JoshuaBell.com

IGOR STRAVINSKY AND THE ART OF THE MINIATURE (16’15): throughout his long career, Stravinsky wrote a surprising number of orchestral works that are typically impractical for “normal” concert programs. In this episode of Stravinsky at 1-2-5, independent producer Jackson Braider explores these overlooked gems from the composer’s catalog. John McClure discusses the problem of scheduling a four-minute work for full orchestra and chorus; Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute discusses the labor implications of writing short pieces for hordes of players; and John Heiss of New England Conservatory describes Stravinsky’s brush with the law when he brought a new arrangement of the “Star-Spangled Banner” to Boston.

2. THE RITE OF SPRING OR WHEN LENNY MET IGOR (13’20)
The story of Igor Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), and Stravinsky legendary introduction to Leonard Bernstein.
If ever anything deserved to be called a bolt from the blue, then surely it’s The Rite of Spring. At its premiere in Paris in 1913, this ballet provoked a riot; six months later, its composer, Igor Stravinsky, was the darling of the Paris scene.

That’s what happens when you create a sensation. People talk; they share stories. And over the next half century The Rite of Spring provoked many stories — about Stravinsky and his genius, about his artistic vision, about how Stravinsky left Leonard Bernstein speechless the one and only time they met.

As part of Stravinsky at 1-2-5, a series celebrating the 125th anniversary of the composer’s birth, producer Jackson Braider tells some stories from the life of The Rite of Spring, or “When Lenny met Igor.”

Featuring music from:

Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Stravinsky: Petroushka (Original 1911 Version) & The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps) (CD)

Only $8.98 (25% off) BUY NOW

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Leonard Bernstein

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring & Suite from “The Firebird” [Expanded Edition] (CD)

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Featuring interviews with:
John Heiss, Professor of Composition and Music Theory at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston
John McClure, Igor Stravinsky’s producer at Columbia Masterworks

Listen to the fascinating story of how the first complete version of Stravinsky conducting Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale came to be.
Features interviews with Stravinsky’s producer John McClure, reissue Executive Producer Warren Wernick, 1961 session musicians and more.
Hosted and produced by Jackson Braider.

Igor Stravinsky, Jeremy Irons, Columbia Chamber Ensemble, Robert Craft

Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale (Histoire du Soldat) (Complete) (CD)

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In this episode of the Masterworks Podcast, jazz phenom Eldar explores his new release “re-imagination” which is in stores on June 5th.

More information about Eldar can be found on http://www.eldarjazz.com/

Music featured in this episode includes selections from:

Eldar

RE-IMAGINATION (CD)

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