Cornell faculty members pianist Malcolm Bilson and soprano Judith Kellock will present an evening of piano and vocal music by Schubert, Schumann and Chopin tonight, Nov. 18, at 8 in Barnes Hall.
Much of Robert Schumann's music is heavily influenced by his love for his student and later wife, Clara Wieck. His "Frauenliebe und Leben" was composed over the course of two days in 1840 while the couple anxiously waited to hear whether they would be allowed to marry, despite strenuous objections from Clara's father. The eight movements of the song cycle tell of a woman's ardent love for a man, with titles like "Since I First Saw Him" and "He, the Noblest of All." The joys and pains of love are also the subject of a series of Schubert lieder that will be presented on this program, as well.
Franz Schubert composed his Sonata in D Major for piano in 1825. Its sizable length, great virtuosity and harmonic adventurousness (moving through all 12 keys in the first movement alone) identify it as a fine example of the Romantic period that Schubert helped to usher in. The sonata also includes a movement reminiscent of a Bohemian dance -- Romantic composers often included such folk influences as a mark of national pride.
The program will be rounded out with several solo piano works by Chopin.
The program will open with a series of South African hymns -- including Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho -- that praise the glory of the holy city of Jerusalem and Jesus, as well as more ordinary things, including one piece titled, "If You Don't Have a Bicycle, You Are Just Dumb." "Hat Ayyuha-ssaqi," a muwashshat written by Muslims in Andalusia who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century, will be presented, followed by "Lo yisagoy el goy cherev," a stirring Hebrew prayer for peace. "Agios O Theos," from the Russian Orthodox tradition, continues the religious theme with a prayer for God's mercy. The program will conclude with a series of Gahu songs, about which Tucker writes: "These songs have lost their literal meaning, but they are a welcome and invitation to join the dance!"
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