The Young Arthur Rubinstein
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Written by Eve Wolf
Directed by Donald T. Sanders
March 13, 2003
The Kosciuszko Foundation
15 E. 65th St.
NY, NY
The World of Yesterday: The Life and Loves of Alma Mahler
In his memoir Die Welt von Gestern (The World of Yesterday), the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig looked nostalgically to the period in Viennese history that preceded the collapse of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. The last decades of the 19th century, known as the Viennese Golden Autumn, also marked the twilight of Romanticism.
The lush sonorities and profound emotionality of the music of this period is showcased through vocal and instrumental works by Brahms, Hugo Wolf, Gustav Mahler, Alma Mahler, Zemlinsky, and Kreisler, composers’ letters and Stefan Zweig’s memoir.
Written by Eve Wolf
Directed by Donald T. Sanders
October 31, 2002
The Kosciuszko Foundation
15 E. 65th St.
NY, NY
Sublime Sorcery: Music and the Supernatural
The supernatural played a starring role in the music of the Romantic Movement. The suggestive power of music, its capacity to stimulate the imagination, and its grip on the subconscious made it an ideal medium for expressing the mysterious turns of the human psyche.
This production features haunting instrumental and vocal works by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt and Saint-Saëns. All these works were inspired by supernatural phenomena and the human perception of the otherworld. The music is accompanied by narration from the writings of E.T.A. Hoffmann.
Written by James Melo
Directed by Donald T. Sanders
December 5, 2002
The Kosciuszko Foundation
15 E. 65th St.
NY, NY
A Singing Flame: The Soul of Spanish Music
In the Romantic imagination, Spain was a land of passion, desire, and sensuality. Towards the end of the 19th century, Spanish culture infused new blood in the development of nationalism in Europe and captivated the imagination of many foreign composers.
The sensual melodic lines and vibrant rhythms of Spanish music are showcased in this program, featuring works by Manuel de Falla, Granados, Albéniz, and Turina, in addition to works by foreign composers inspired by the fire and passion of Spain and narration from 19th-century letters, diaries, and other writings about Spain and its culture.