Program Notes
Wilderness Cello February 22, 2022
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Camille Saint-Saëns
Le Cygne (The Swan)
from Carnival of the Animals
In G
Born: October 9, 1835, Paris October 9, 1835
Died: December 16, 1921, Algiers
Ludwig van Beethoven
Born: December 1770, Bonn
Died: March 26, 1827, Vienna
Sonata Op.5 Nr.2
for Violoncello and Piano
In g minor
Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo
And
Allegro molto più tosto presto
Filippo D. Marchetti
Fascination
Born: 26 February 1831, Bolognola, Macerata
Died: 18 January 1902, Rome
Italian opera composer
Beethoven's two-hundred-fiftieth birthday was in 2020.
Ironically, the planned year for Beethoven celebrations
were quashed in the name of that which he most detested,
TYRANNY!
"Freedom, the right of the creative ego to assert itself
unhampered, was a religion with him. When he filled his
music with a profound humanity, he was the son of the
French Revolution, the true democrat, who believed
passionately in the equality of man and who identified
himself with mankind's struggles. 'I, too, am King'
was his credo."
The Sonata Op.5 Nr.2 for cello and piano was composed in 1796.
"We are indebted to Beethoven for introducing the era
of the true sonata for two instruments... true dialog
between equals".
~~
Saint-Saëns had "a restless intellect and prodigious
capacity for work. He studied astronomy, physics and
natural history. He wrote books on philosophy,
literature, painting, and the theater. He produced
poetry and a play. He wrote critical essays and mastered
several languages. He visited virtually every country
in the world."
The Carnival of Animals, subtitled 'A Grand Zoological
Fantasy' was written exclusively for his own
entertainment. He neither permitted it to be published
nor performed it while he was alive... except for
Le Cygne (The Swan).
refs:
Milton Cross, Encyclopedia of the Great
Composers and Their Music
Dimitry Markevitch, Cello Story
