NOVÁK and BACH
The first part of this unusual two-part Lecture Recital will feature a selection of tone poems by the Czech composer Vitezslav (Viktor) Novák (1870-1949).
A favorite pupil of Dvorak, Novák excelled in the realm of the solo piano character piece, incorporating many diverse influences: Schubert, Schumann, Fauré, folk/ethnic musics and occasional experiments with more current “modern” trends.
As a companion to bodies of work like Grieg’s Lyric Pieces or Brahms’ late pieces, Novák’s contribution to the genre is considerable, not just in terms of its breadth and variety, but also in his vividly imaginative way of telling a story in music.
The second part of the program will present my own transcription of Bach’s monumental Passacaglia and Fugue in c minor.
There have been many previous attempts to arrange this for solo piano, but they all fall into the trap of trying to imitate the massive sonority of the original organ work. I have tried to stay as close as possible to the original score, meaning the soundscape is considerably smaller, but the musical essence of the piece is conveyed with both subtlety and honesty.
The presentation will include video performances of the work played on both organ and harpsichord.
Event Details
Free admission