Classical music can at times take itself too seriously. Back in the early 1960s, when serialism was in full sway in academic music and when the historical performance practice movement searched ever so purposefully for "authentic" performance, a young Peter Schickele decided to lighten things up a bit-- okay, a lot -- by creating the persona of P.D.Q. Bach. P.D.Q. Bach's music not only affectionately satirized and spoofed the music of Baroque and early Classic eras, it eventually also reached all the way into the late 20th century. All the while, Peter Schickele was carving out a career for himself as a composer.
As the 2010-2011 concert season marks the 75th birthday anniversary of Mr. Schickele it was only appropriate that a birthday concert be held in his honor, and at a place befitting his stature, both in the realms of serious and comedic music, the elegant Steinway Hall on 57th Street near Carnegie Hall. Although recently released from the hospital and not in the best of health, Mr. Schickele was present to preside of concert as, of course, the ultimate authority.
Although I previously had only very limited acquaintance with Mr. Schickele's music, what I had heard seemed to pale in comparison with his ingenious parodies. It seemed as of he was trying to distance himself as a composer from his P.D.Q persona and as a result composed music that was on the dry and bland side. This concert, however, changed my impression.
The concert began with Schickele works that evoke the spirit and style of many different composers and thus confirm his gift as a musical mimic or parodist even in some works he claims as "Schickele." The very early The Civilian Barber Overture evokes, of course, Rossini and also,surprisingly, Beethoven. A second four-hand work, "Easy Going" from Little Mushrooms is an affectionate take on the duets of Franz Schubert. (Many of his friends affectionately referred to him as "little mushroom" because of his short, squat physique. Over the years, Mr. schickele has composed small tributes to various composers. These have taken the shape of Epitaphs for Piano. While he pays tribute to di Lasso, Praetorius, Domenico Scarlatti, Chopin and Stravinsky, I found those to Praetorius and Chopin especially evocative of their styles.
Other Schickele works on the first half of the program included Seven Miniatures for Violin and Piano, Two Songs on Elizabethan Lyrics, Presents II for Piano (small "gifts" to friends) and Trio Serenade for Two Flutes and Piano. While all of the works were quite delightful, I found the trio to be especially wonderful to hear.
The second half began with a not-so-subtle announcement that the second half was beginning via a brass quintet situated on a balcony overlooking the hall performing P.D.Q. Bach's Fanfare for the Common Cold. His Goldbrick Variations followed.
The concert then returned to Schickele music with his quite charming Three Uncharacteristic Pieces or Trumpet and Piano and "What Did You Do Today at Jeffy's House?" for French Horn and Piano.
A totally delighted audience celebrated with Mr. Schickele and his wife many decades of joyous music making. I was also made aware through the program notes of his activities as a film composer and arranger. May his musical pen flow for many more years.
A totally delighted audience celebrated with Mr. Schickele and his wife many decades of joyous music making. I was also made aware through the program notes of his activities as a film composer and arranger. May his musical pen flow for many more years.
No comments:
Post a Comment