From Ancient Airs and Dances to West Side Story on Fretworks

Saturday at 7pm on Fretworks, we have music ranging from the 16th century to the 1950's, and a few other stops along the way. We'll start on Broadway with music from the 1957 smash hit musical West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein.  Giovanni de Chiaro has arranged some of the best-known tunes for solo guitar, and we'll be hearing a suite on this evening's program. Itzhak Perlman and John Williams will have music of the early 19th century of Niccolo Paganini for violin and guitar, the Centone de Sonate, Op. 64, No. 1. Mario Castelnuove-Tedesco was born in Italy, but because of his Jewish heritage he had to leave when the fascists came to power in the 1930's.  He settled in Hollywood, where he wrote film scores and concert works, including the very fine Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D from 1939 that we'll have for you on our broadcast. Lutenist Paul O'Dette will play the original version of music that was orchestrated by Otterino Respighi in the early 20th century for his Ancient Airs and Dances.  We'll hear the Suite No. 1, which includes anonymous pieces as well as music by Simone Molinaro and Vincenzo Galelei. Join me Saturday at 7pm for Fretworks here on Classical 101.