Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)

Donald Macleod showcases the life and music of Christoph
Willibald Gluck


Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) arguably did more to
transform opera than any composer of his generation: thinking
deeply about how text and music should work together, and trying
to strip away fripperies to ensure it was urgent, powerful and
arresting. His radical approaches made him one of the most
influential composers in history - and yet today, he’s known in
the concert hall almost exclusively for one work: his masterpiece
“Orpheus and Eurydice”. This week, Donald Macleod puts that
right: showcasing Gluck’s dazzling and enchanting music from
across his life - whilst also showing off his most famous work.


Music Featured:


Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Orfeo ed Eurydice) Non hai cor per
un'impresa (Ipermestra, Wq 7) Sperai vicino il lido (Demofoonte,
Wq 3) Se in campo armato (La Sofonisba, Wq 5) Nobil onda (La
Sofonisba, Wq 5) Orfeo ed Euridice (excerpts) M'opprime,
m'affanna (La Sofonisba, Wq 5) Qual ira intempestiva … Oggi per
me non sudi; Oggi per me sudi (La Contesa de'numi, Wq 14) Trio
Sonata no I in C Major (1st mvt) Ciascun siegua il suo
stile...Maggior follia non v'e (La Semiramide riconosciuta, Wq
13) Misera, dove son…; Ah! non son io (Ezio, Wq 15) Dance of the
Furies (Orphee et Eurydice: Act 2, Scene 1) Tremo fra dubbi miei
(La Clemenza di Tito, Wq 16) (Act 3) Son lungi e non mi brami (Le
Cinesi, Wq 18) Berenice che fai (Antigono, Wq 21) Don Juan
(selection) Divinités du Styx (Alceste, Wq 37) O Del Mio Dolce
Ardor; Le Belle Immagini (Paride ed Elena, Wq 39) Vous essayez en
vain - Par la crainte; Adieu, conservez dans votre âme (Iphigénie
en Aulide, Wq 40) Gluck (arr Schubert) Rien de la nature (Echo et
Narcisse) Armide (Act 5 opening) Iphigenie en Tauride, Wq 46
(excerpts) De Profundis Orphee et Eurydice (1774 Paris edition):
Act 3 (finale)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Steven Rajam for BBC
Audio Wales & West


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Christoph Willibald Gluck
(1714-1787) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0022znr


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z