Most know Mendelssohn’s second violin concerto in E minor but few know the short but delightful violin concerto in D minor written when the composer was 12 or 13 as a student work. Orchestra d'Auvergne, Jacques Kantorow, violin, father of Alexandre.

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Artistry of rare eternal beauty, Alexandre Kantorow plays Mélodie de Gluck/Orfeo ed Euridice (arr. Sgambati).

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In 1887, Rachmaninoff wrote many unpublished or lost piano works. His 3 Nocturnes, which were unknown, were published without opus numbers. The influence of Chopin and Tchaikovsky is there. With the Cuban pianist, Santiago Rodriguez

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Paul Cezanne’s Still Life, Nature morte, is stunning. A vivid, varied color palette showcases many ordinary items, napkin, fruits and a vase. The draping in the white napkin keeps the fruit from falling off the table. The draping in the cloth above is infused with glorious color.

Flowers and nature were top of mind evoking peace and serenity in this revered work of Claude Monet. Two clear figures in the foreground lead the way to lush poppies bursting with bright color. The colorful trees line an epinviting path. At the Orsay.

More piano works from 1887 by Rachmaninoff, no opus nos and titled Four Pieces. A few contain melodies for SR’s later works and are in the Russian style. I can hear the Trio Elegiaque and his piano Sonata No 2. Truly gorgeous music in the these pieces.

Shostakovich String Quartet No 3 received its first performance in 1946 in Moscow. In 5 movements, it is a treasure from its furry childlike theme in the first movement. Played exceptionally by the Jerusalem String Quartet
Shostakovich
youtu.be/UaGoLqScMok?si…

Here is one of the encores from today. I heard Kantorow perform it before but could not recall the name. Triste (Vecsey-Cziffra). Very emotional work with true heart. This is a different performance. The piece leaves a lasting impact.

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A rare treat, a live concert from Paris with Kantorow and Macelaru, the National de France performing Chopin PC no 2. AK is an exciting pianist with an intimate clarity to his playing. 3 encores. Bravissimo

Such a nice day at Disney Hall hearing Maria Dueñas. Now waiting for the Dvorak 9th.

Rachmaninoff’s Trio elegiaque, No 2 played by Makhtin, Knaiazec and Korobeinikov dedicated to Tchaikovsky on his death. Beauty, grief and love intertwine in this lush and heartfelt performance. In memory of someone loved.

youtu.be/531ScZw7Xg4?si…

Beautiful flowers from the garden for the cemetery today. Flowers are a way to connect with nature and feel true comfort and joy.

Interesting discovery today, Rachmaninoff playing Scriabin’s Prelude in C#minor. Scriabin fans believed the tempo was too slow and sounded more like SR than the Russian Modernist, AS. Thoughts?

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Watching s DVD from the trip to the Louvre in 1995. The magnificence of this Museum, in the center of Paris , is extraordinary, for both its extensive works of art and sculpture but for its dazzling architecture. Here, Diane the Huntress, a breathtaking Roman Statute.

Where is one of the most interesting or unusual places you have heard a concert or recital? For me, Nohant, Fr, Chopin Music Festival and Quilcene, WA, Concert in the Barn. Still recall the Brahms’ Piano Quintet

Yesterday ended a glorious 2023-24 season at the LA Phil. I heard many concerts, artists and works with which I was unfamiliar. Highlights include Thomas Ades and Gershwin in Ades and Ravel, Simone Young and Capucon playing Elgar, Van a Williams and Part. As for the the SR 1)

Barbara Cohen My favorite Rachmaninoff work for 30 years. I agree with you, a gorgeous piece of piano from the XXth century. I listen these Études-tableaux in the interpretation of Vladimir Ovchinikov (EMI, 1991). The best for me.

Barbara Cohen I was there on Friday morning. And she’s only 22!

💙✨🎻🎼🌷 Barbara Cohen
Bruch 'Violin Concerto No 2' Itzhak Perlman youtu.be/e3jpd5iFk4M?si… via YouTube