Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky on Classical Showcase

Friday evening at 7 pm , Classical Showcase presents the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel leading the orchestra in a program of Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and new music by Icelandic composer Daniel Bjarnason. Like his predecessor Esa-Pekka Salonen who was known for championing new music, Gustavo Dudamel is ensuring that new works will be heard  during his directorship of the orchestra as well.  The concert opens with a world-premier, Daniel Bjarnason Blow-bright.  The title of this 11 minute piece is from the final lines of the poem "Night-Music" by Philip Larson. The major works on the program, however, are staples in the symphonic repertoire.  First, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff, or "Rach 3," as it's sometimes called.  This imposing concerto from 1909 is known for its difficulties for the soloist and can strike terror into the hearts of even very accomplished pianists.  Fortunately, the 27 year old Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is more than up the the challenge. The concluding work is a concert performance of Petroushka by Igor Stravinsky, the second of his three great ballet scores from the early 20th century.  Coming between the opulent Firebird and the more revolutionary Rite of Spring, Petroushka is set in old St. Petersburg during Carnival. The story of the ballet is about a straw-filled puppet that magically comes to life, falls in love, has adventures, and "dies," only to have his "spirit" return at the very end.  The music is jagged and angular at times and harmonically adventurous for 1911 in its representation of  an archetypal trickster figure. Join us Friday at 7 pm for Classical Showcase on Classical 101. http://youtu.be/UjBnGQLjz-g