MUSIC FOR OBOE, BASSOON, AND PIANO
Wednesday, February 26th, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.

KEMP JERNIGAN, oboe REMY TAGHAVI, bassoon YELENA GRINBERG, piano

From the organizer:

Dear Friends!
On Wednesday, February 26th, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., Kemp, Remy and I are thrilled to invite you for a one-of-a-kind evening of MUSIC FOR OBOE, BASSOON, AND PIANO, featuring both beloved and seldom-heard masterworks by Beethoven, Schumann, Hindemith, Saint-Saens, Poulenc, and Jolivet. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), whose 250th birthday we celebrate this year, was one of the greatest giants of all time whose immortal Music continues to enrich our lives to this very day, gripping for its raw emotionality, energetic rhythmic drive, bold innovation, extraordinary beauty, philosophical profundity, wit and humor. I will open the program with Beethoven’s avant-garde Six Variations on an Original Theme, op. 34 (1802) – a series of character pieces each of which unfolds unusually in a different key, meter and tempo and attests to the improvisatory side of Beethoven’s variation technique. A celebrated Romantic composer, pianist, and music critic, Robert Schumann (1810-1856) composed his Drei Romanzen for oboe and piano, op. 94 (1849) for a convivial Hausmusik soiree – just as you will enjoy this evening! These three autumnal pieces were written during one of Schumann’s most fruitful years of composition which also gave rise to his Adagio and Allegro for horn (cello) and piano, op. 70 and his Fantasiestucke for clarinet and piano, op. 73, and are considered to be the cornerstone of the romantic repertoire for the oboe. Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) was a prolific 20th-century German composer, violist, violinist, teacher and conductor. His compact Sonata for bassoon and piano (1938) unfolds in two movements, lasting under ten minutes in duration and runs a wide gamut of moods – from heroic to serious to lyrical to marchlike to pastoral to pensive. The French Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist, Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) was a child prodigy and a prolific composer of chamber music whose works were generally couched within the Classical tradition. His Neo-Classical Sonata for oboe and piano, op. 166 (1921), written in the last year of his life, reveals his aim to expand the repertoire of woodwind instruments for whom hardly any solo parts were written and it showcases simpler melodies and leaner textures than are found in his earlier, more bravura chamber works. A 20th-century French composer, Andre Jolivet (1905-1974) was known for his devotion to French culture and his interest in acoustics and atonality as well as both ancient and modern musical influences. Cast in three contrasting movements – Ouverture, Recitative, and Ostinato – his evocative Sonatine for oboe and bassoon (1963) reveals his skill in maintaining musical interest with a limited sonic palette. The celebrated 20th-century French composer and pianist, Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) favored the woodwind instruments over the strings. His witty and sophisticated Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano (1926) is considered to be the first important work of Poulenc’s chamber music repertoire which he dedicated to Manuel de Falla. It is cast in three brief movements – Presto, Andante, Rondo – that display the humorous lightness of the bassoon, the ironic voice of the oboe, and the sparkling brilliance of the piano. Don’t miss this enchanting evening of Music for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano!
Kemp, Remy, and I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, February 26th!

Best wishes,

Dr. Yelena Grinberg, founder and artistic director of the Grinberg Classical Salon Series

WHEN: Wednesday, February 26th, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.            Food-and-wine reception with guest Artists to follow the salon
WHERE: Private Residence on the Upper West Side (West 90s)
The exact address of the salon will be disclosed after you register through Eventbrite
ADMISSION: $38
Admission price includes reception with the guest Artist(s)           Attendance is limited to just 21 seats!           Advance ticket purchase through Eventbrite is required. NO tickets sold at the door!
CONTACT: Dr. Yelena Grinberg – ygpiano (at) gmail.com

PROGRAM:

MUSIC FOR OBOE, BASSOON, AND PIANO

BEETHOVEN – Six Variations on an Original Theme, op. 34 (1802) SCHUMANN – Drei Romanzen for oboe and piano, op. 94 (1849)
HINDEMITH – Sonata for bassoon and piano (1938) SAINT-SAENS – Sonata for oboe and piano, op. 166 (1921)
JOLIVET – Sonatina for oboe and bassoon (1963) POULENC – Trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano (1926)

For more information on the Grinberg Classical Salon Series, please visit: http://yelenagrinberg.com/grinberg-classical-salon-series/