William Schuman's centennial a reminder of music we're missing
William Schuman was born 100 years ago, Aug. 4, 1910. I hate to say it, but my guess is that an awful lot of American concert-goers would not know his name, even though he was among this country's most gifted composers of the 20th century.
Although his "New England Triptych" turns up once in a while -- and I always love hearing that vibrant work -- there is so much more from his pen that we're missing in our musical diet. Maybe the pendulum will swing his way again someday.
Meanwhile, here are two fun clips to mark the centennial -- a brief interview with good sound bites; and an appearance on "What's My Line" when Schuman was president of the newly opened Lincoln Center. (Sad how we'll never go back to the days when TV could sustain a program as classy -- and entertaining -- as "What's My Line." I wish I could find reruns again -- here, the Game Show Network stopped airing it, in favor of recent-vintage crap.):
Comments
Well, we did hear *some* William Schuman in Washington thanks to Leonard Slatkin. Indeed, his performance of the 8th symphony must rank as a highlight of his NSO tenure.
Slatkin also conducted "Prayer in Time of War."
Posted by: Don Ciccio | August 6, 2010 10:32 AM