Poster Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Wikipedia.org
Performance Today®

Under the influence

The Finnish nights were long and cold while Jean Sibelius was working on his seventh symphony. Especially since his wife was angry with him at the time. He turned to a new, more understanding companion - alcohol. Not exactly the prescribed formula for artistic success, but for Sibelius it seemed to have worked. Today's show features a 200 proof performance of the seventh by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic in Amsterdam.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

George Gershwin: "But Not For Me"
Violinist Joshua Bell with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Wiliams

Georg Philipp Telemann: Presto from Concerto in C Minor for Flute and Recorder, TWV 52:E1
Courtney Westcott, flute, and Vicki Boeckmann, recorder, with the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and conductor Ingrid Matthews
Benaroya Hall, Seattle

Georg Philipp Telemann: "Air for Trumpet"
Stephen Burns, trumpet, with the American Concerto Orchestra

Toru Takemitsu: Excerpts from "And Then I Knew 'Twas Wind"
Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, violist Cynthia Phelps, and flutist Joshua Smith
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, Minnesota

Claude Debussy: Second Movement from Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp
Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, violist Cynthia Phelps, and flutist Joshua Smith
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, Minnesota

Samuel Barber: Violin Concerto
Violinist Joshua Bell with the Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Osmo Vanska
Barbican Hall, London, England

Hour 2

Jean Sibelius: March from "Karelia Suite"
The Philharmonia Orchestra with conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy

Paul Brantley: Credo from "Service Music"
The Excelsior Trombone Ensemble
St. Bartholomew's Church, New York City

Toru Takemitsu: "The Night," from "Toward the Sea"
Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, violist Cynthia Phelps, and flutist Joshua Smith
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, Minnesota

Claude Debussy: Pastorale from Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp
Harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, violist Cynthia Phelps, and flutist Joshua Smith
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, Minnesota

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7 in C, Op. 105
The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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