Greatest Showstoppers

The 19th century was an exciting time for classical musicians.
Urban centres across Europe and the New World were expanding
rapidly, creating a profitable music circuit for touring
performers – particularly if you had the talent and star-power to
attract audiences in large numbers! A new breed of performer
began to emerge: extraordinary virtuosos whose dazzling abilities
made them into international sensations. Liszt, Chopin, Clara
Schumann and Paganini are among the names best remembered today
but there were many others. This week, Donald Macleod explores
the life and music of four more 19th century ‘showstoppers’ who
were equally celebrated in their day, and who also turned their
talents to composing.


Music Featured:


Teresa Carreño: Vals gayo Teresa Carreño: Florence, Cantilène
Op.34 Teresa Carreño: Souvenirs de mon pays, Op. 10 Teresa
Carreño: Le printemps, Op. 25 Teresa Carreño: String quartet in B
minor: I. Allegro, II. Andante Teresa Carreño: Elégie Op. 22, No.
6, ‘Plaintes au borde d'une tombe’ Teresa Carreño: Little Waltz
‘Mi Teresita’ Elias Parish Alvars: Introduction, Cadenza &
Rondo (extract) Elias Parish Alvars:Grand March Op.67 Elias
Parish Alvars: Grand Duo on Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix, Op.65
Elias Parish Alvars: Harp Concerto in E flat Op.98, I. Allegro
brillante Elias Parish Alvars: Grand Study in Imitation of a
Mandolin Op.84 Maria Szymanowska: Polonaise in C major Maria
Szymanowska: Prélude No. 18 in E major Maria Szymanowska: 24
Mazurkas, Nos. 21-24 Maria Szymanowska: Caprice sur la romance de
Joconde in E major Maria Szymanowska: Fantaisie in F major Maria
Szymanowska: Cotillon, ou valse figurée Maria Szymanowska
Nocturne in B flat major Maria Szymanowska: 18 Dances of
Different Genres, Nos. 9-12 & No.18 Joseph Joachim: 3 Stücke,
Op.2, No.1, Romanze Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major (1st
movt cadenza by Joseph Joachim) Joseph Joachim: Notturno Op.12
Joseph Joachim: Quartettsatz Joseph Joachim: Violin Concerto No.2
in D minor, Op.11 'A la hongroise': III. Finale alla Zingara:
Allegro con spirito


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC
Audio Wales and 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 Greatest Showstoppers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001th7g


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