April 1 is the birthday of Russian composer SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943).
"I feel like a ghost wandering in a world grown alien. I cannot cast out the old way of writing and I cannot acquire the new. I have made an intense effort to feel the musical manner of today, but it will not come to me."
Rachmaninoff "is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and other Russian composers gave way to a thoroughly personal idiom notable for its song-like melodicism, expressiveness, dense contrapuntal textures, and rich orchestral colours. The piano is featured prominently in Rachmaninoff's compositional output and he used his skills as a performer to fully explore the expressive and technical possibilities of the instrument."
"My dear hands. Farewell, my poor hands."
(Said by Rachmaninoff on February 27, 1943, during his last illness, after having said that he would never be able to play again.)
THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION WILL PRESENT A SPECIAL LENTEN PROGRAM, INTERLUDE IN THE DESERT, MARCH. MARCH 28. THE CATHEDRAL’S MUSIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL ORGANIST, MARIO PEARSON, SPEAKS WITH PATRICK NEAS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MUSIC ON THE PROGRAM.
GEMMA NEW FROM NEW ZEALAND RECENTLY CONDUCTED THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY. LISTEN TO HER FASCINATING CONVERSATION WITH PATRICK NEAS ON THE KC ARTS BEAT REPORT
The KCB Second Company Brings a Fairy Tale to Life!
WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS WITH DESTINY MERMAGEN
Prairie Classical presents a new series, WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS!! It’s an interactive concert experience like no other!
♥ Music & Mental Health Chit-Chat with Destiny ~ Prairie Classical Founder & KPR Radio Host.
The next Wellness Wednesday is December 18 at noon at Old Mission United Methodist Church. For more information, CLICK HERE.