Composers Datebook®

Paul Schoenfield's 'Cafe Music'

Composers Datebook - Jan. 25, 2025
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

Many political deals started in smoke-filled rooms, but not many piano trios can claim such a venue for their inspiration. On today’s date in 1987, composer and pianist Paul Schoenfield joined a violinist and cellist from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for the premiere of one of them: Café Music, a new piano trio the orchestra had commissioned.

Here’s how Schoenfield explains it: “The idea came to me in 1985 after sitting in one night for the pianist at Murray’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge in Minneapolis. Murray’s employed a house trio which played entertaining dinner music in a wide variety of styles. My intention was to compose a kind of high-class dinner music — music which could be played at a restaurant but might also (just barely) find its way into a concert hall.” Much to Schoenfield’s surprise, Café Music did indeed become a concert hall hit.

Schoenfield said he had two lasting memories of that night he filled in at Murray’s: first, a realization of what hard work it was to play dinner music for hours on end, and second — in the days before smoke-free restaurants — how his clothes smelled of cigars and cigarettes for days afterwards!

Music Played in Today's Program

Paul Schoenfield (1947-2024): Café Music; Eroica Trio; EMI 56482

On This Day

Births

  • 1851 - Flemish composer Jan Blockx, in Antwerp

  • 1886 - German composer and conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler, in Berlin

  • 1911 - American composer and pianist Julia Smith, in Denton, Texas

  • 1913 - Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, in Warsaw

  • 1921 - American composer and conductor Alfred Reed, in New York City

Premieres

  • 1817 - Rossini: opera, La Cenerentola (Cinderella), in Rome at the Teatro Valle

  • 1902 - Franz Schmidt: Symphony No. 1, in Vienna

  • 1909 - R. Strauss: opera Elektra, in Dresden at the Hofoper, conducted by Ernst von Schuch, with soprano Annie Krull in the title role

  • 1946 - R. Strauss: Metamorphosen, in Zürich

  • 1957 - Walton: Cello Concerto, by the Boston Symphony conducted by Charles Munch, with Gregor Piatigorsky the soloist

  • 1963 - Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Symphony No. 8, by the West German Radio Symphony, Rafael Kubelik conducting

  • 1987 - Paul Schoenfield: Café Music for piano trio at a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Mendelssohn at Starbucks?

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Piano Concerto No. 1; Cyprien Katsaris, piano; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra; Kurt Masur, conductor; Teldec 8.43681

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Eduardo Martin

Eduardo Martin (b. 1956): ‘Hasta Alicia Baila’; Clea Galhano, recorder; Rene Izquierdo, guitar; ‘Latin Reverie’ CD 89577 75162

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Rebecca Clarke gets her due

Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979): ‘Vivace’ from Viola Sonata; Philip Dukes, viola; Sophia Rahman, piano; Naxos 8.557934

2:00
YourClassical

Columbus Day music

Victor Herbert (1859-1924): ‘Columbus Suite’; Slovak Radio Symphony; Keith Brion, conductor; Naxos 8.559027 James DeMars (b. 1952): ‘Premonitions of Christopher Columbus’; Tos Ensemble with R. Carlos Nakai, Native American flute; Canyon 7014

2:00
YourClassical

Concertos by Nielsen and Adams

Carl Nielsen (1865-1931): Clarinet Concerto; Kjell-Inge Stevennson, clarinet; Danish Radio Symphony; Herbert Blomstedt, conductor; EMI 69758 John Adams (b. 1947): ‘Gnarly Buttons’; Michael Collins, clarinet; London Sinfonietta; John Adams, conductor; Nonesuch 79453

2:00
YourClassical

Berio's 'Sinfonia' in New York

Luciano Berio (1925-2003): ‘Sinfonia’; New Swingle Singers; French National Orchestra; Pierre Boulez, conductor; Erato 88151

2:00
YourClassical

A birthday Beatle

Lennon and McCartney (arr. Toru Takemitsu): ‘Here, There and Everywhere’; John Williams, guitar; Sony 66704

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00