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Episode 3

Donald Macleod explores the aftermath of the deaths of Amy Beach's husband and mother. This period saw her gain the freedom to compose and perform as she wished.

In less than a year, Amy Beach tragically lost the two most important figures in her life: her husband and mother. Between them, they'd carefully guided her musical career - both encouraging her talents and clamping down on activity that they saw as 'unladylike'.

Suddenly, at the age of 43, Amy Beach was about to embark on a remarkable new chapter in her life: one with the freedom to compose and perform as she wished. Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of Beach's Piano Quintet, as well as a quartet of the composer's most playful and enchanting songs.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 4 Aug 2010 12:00

Music Played

  • Amy Beach

    Two Mother Songs, Op.69 (1908), Baby

    Performers: Katherine Kelton (mezzo), Catherine Bringerud (piano)

    • NAXOS 8559191.
    • 24.
  • Amy Beach

    Two Mother Songs, Op.69 (1908), Hush, Baby Dear

    Performers: Katherine Kelton (mezzo), Catherine Bringerud (piano)

    • NAXOS 8559191.
    • 25.
  • Amy Beach

    Piano Quintet in F Sharp Minor, Op.67 (1907), I. Adagio - Allegro Moderato

    Performers: Ambache: Elizabeth Layton (violin), Ruth Ehrlich (violin), Martin Outram (viola), Naomi Butterworth (cello), Diana Ambache (piano)

    • CHANDOS CHAN9752.
    • 1.
  • Amy Beach

    Piano Quintet in F Sharp Minor, Op.67 (1907), II. Adagio Espressivo

    Performers: Ambache: Elizabeth Layton (violin), Ruth Ehrlich (violin), Martin Outram (viola), Naomi Butterworth (cello), Diana Ambache (piano)

    • CHANDOS CHAN9752.
    • 2.
  • Amy Beach

    Piano Quintet in F Sharp Minor, Op.67 (1907), III. Allegro Agitato - Adagio Come Prima - P

    Performers: Ambache: Elizabeth Layton (violin), Ruth Ehrlich (violin), Martin Outram (viola), Naomi Butterworth (cello), Diana Ambache (piano)

    • CHANDOS CHAN9752.
    • 3.
  • Amy Beach

    Service in A (excerpt) (1906), Te Deum

    Performers: Camille King, Robyn Frey-Monell (sopranos), Cheryl Anne Roach (mezzo), Jeffrey Araluce (tenor), Joel Pressman (baritone), Steven Argila (organ), Choral Society of Southern California, The Chancel Choir of Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, Nick Strimple (director)

    • Troy 295.
    • 1.
  • Amy Beach

    Two Songs, Op.75 (1914), A Thanksgiving Fable

    Performers: Katherine Kelton (mezzo), Catherine Bringerud (piano)

    • NAXOS 8559191.
    • 31.
  • Amy Beach

    Two Songs, Op.75 (1914), The Candy Lion

    Performers: Katherine Kelton (mezzo), Catherine Bringerud (piano)

    • NAXOS 8559191.
    • 30.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Radamisto (1720) Ombra cara

    Performer: Lorraine Hunt (mezzo Radamisto), Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan (conductor)

    • HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907056.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Admeto (1727) Aria (Antigona): 'Se'n vola lo sparvier;

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Sinfonia to Act 2;

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Recit (Ercole) In van ti scuoti, in vano;

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Sinfonia;

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Recit (Ercole) Ecco, Alceste, spezzati,

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Aria (Alceste): Quanto godrà

    Performer: Max van Egmond (The Statue, baritone), René Jacobs (Admeto, countertenor), Rachel Yakar (Alceste, soprano), Jill Gomez (Antigona, soprano), Ulrik Cold (Hercules, bass), Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis (director)

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS VMT5613692.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Partenope (1730): Act III No.37 Quel volto mi piace - No.39 Ma quai note di mesti lamenti.

    Performer: Rosemary Joshua (Partenope, soprano), Kurt Streit (Emilio, tenor), Stephen Wallace (Armindo, counter-tenor), Hilary Summers (Rosmira, contralto), Lawrence Zazzo (Arsace, counter-tenor), Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn (director)

    • CHANDOS CHAN 07193.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Ariodante - Scherza infida in grembo al drudo

    Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo - Ariodante), Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski (director)

    • ARCHIV 457 2712.

Broadcast

  • Wed 4 Aug 2010 12:00

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