Gustav Holst / Ragtime
On this day in classical music: Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite “The Planets” received its world premiere in London in 1920. Albert Coates conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in the premiere. The composer held two notable teaching posts throughout most of his adult life: director of music at St. Paul’s Girls’ School and director of music at Morley College. Holst’s interest in astrology led to the composition of “The Planets,” a suite of seven movements (Earth was not included and Pluto had not yet been identified) that attempt to capture through music the essence of each celestial body. Jupiter is arguably the most popular of the seven movements, largely because of its noble melody. It was subsequently given lyrics and that choral version is known as “I Vow to Thee My Country.” “The Planets” is scored for a larger than usual orchestra and includes parts for alto flute, bass oboe, tenor tuba, celeste, organ and a large battery of percussion. “Neptune,” the work’s final movement, calls for a women’s chorus that typically performs its wordless strains offstage. The effect creates an otherworldly, eerie effect. Listen to the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra perform “Jupiter” from “The Planets.” Eiji Oue conducts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B49N46I39Y
On this day in the musical theatre: A revival of “Ragtime” opened on Broadway in 2009. Many felt a revival was premature since the original production had opened in January 1998 and ran for two years. The 2009 revival shuttered after just two months. Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, “Ragtime” followed three families at the turn of the 20th century: a upperclass white couple and their children, a Harlem musician and his lover Sarah, and the Latvian immigrant Tateh and his young daughter. The musical, which featured a Tony Award-winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, explored the changes in society, specifically in regard to how these three families dealt with social upheaval. “Ragtime” also touched on many historical figures during its narrative, including Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Stanford White, Harry Thaw, Admiral Peary and Emma Goldman. Listen to Christiane Noll perform “Back to Before” on the 2010 Tony Awards broadcast. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35sDTlyDNDA
