WEDNESDAYS 7 PM EST
On this episode:
Jacques Thibaud performs works of Vitali, Chausson, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, Debussy, Poldini, Bach, Albéniz, de Falla, Granados, Brahms, Leclair, Kreisler, Rameau, Wieniavski, Eccles, Schubert, Rode, Szymanowski, and Martin Pierre Marsick.
Jacques Thibaud: Vitali Chaconne
Jacques Thibaud: Chausson Poeme for violin & orchestra op.25
Conductor: Eugène Bigot
Association des concerts Lamoureux
Casals, Cortot, Thibaud: Mendelssohn D Minor Trio, Op.49
Casals formed a trio with Thibaud and Cortot in the teens. This was recorded on June, 20 - 21, 1927, Large Queen's Hall, London.
Playlist:
1. Molto allegro ed agitato
2. Andante con moto tranquillo
3. Scherzo (Leggiero e vivace)
4. Finale (Allegro assai appassionato)
Cortot, Thibaud, Casals - Beethoven Piano Trio "Archduke" Op.97 in B flat Major
Alfred Cortot, piano
Jacques Thibaud, violin
Pablo Casals, cello
00:00 - 1. Allegro moderato
09:39 - 2. Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio
16:21 - 3. Andante cantabile ma però moto -
29:36 - 4. Allegro moderato
(recorded: 18 & 19.XI.1928, Small Queen's Hall, London)
Cortot, Casals, Thibaud Piano Trio - Beethoven: Kakadu Variations
Variations on Wenzel Müller's song "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu" in G major, Op. 121a
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| French pianist Alfred Cortot (1877-1962), seated, with French violinist Jacques Thibaud (1880-1953) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Tema. Allegretto and 10 Variations
Composed c. 1803, when Beethoven was around 33 years old
Published in 1824, when Beethoven was around 54.
Working in every major form of classical music, Beethoven wrote six main piano trios beginning with his very first opus number and culminating in the expansive, groundbreaking Archduke piano trio of his middle period. He also wrote several other pieces for the ensemble of violin, cello and piano including a very early lone piano trio (c.1791), two single movement Allegrettos, and two sets of variations. For completeness, there is also the lovely Op. 11 originally scored for clarinet, cello and piano that Beethoven transcribed for traditional piano trio. It is believed that the "Kakadu" variations were written around 1803, possibly revised in 1816 but not published until 1824 (hence the high opus number) making them the last of Beethoven's published works for piano trio
The variations are based on the aria "Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu" ("I am the tailor Cockatoo") from Wenzel Müller's Viennese Singspiel "The Sisters of Prague" first staged around 1794, most likely Müller's best known opera. A simple tune, really more of a simple chord progression with vast possibilities for play, becomes superior musical entertainment in the hands of Beethoven who wrote the Diabelli Variations and the Eroica finale around the same time. Every permutation of the piano trio has its chance to contribute to a sequence of variations with great variety and a dazzling finish. Just for a little something extra, Beethoven withholds the initial Kakadu theme by starting with a dramatically ominous introduction that lasts as long as one-third of the performance practically making this a twomovement epic miniature, pure Beethoven from scowl to smile to radiant effulgence. Someone once called this piece "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear."
Thibaud Playlist:
1. Jacques Thibaud plays Habanaise by Saint-Saëns. This is on French Disque Gramophone, 2nd Jul. 1933, Studio No.3, Abbey Road, London with Tasso Janopoulo.
2. Jacques Thibaud plays En Bateau from "Petit Suite "by Debussy. This is very early electric recording on British HMV. Petite Suite (arr. Thibaud) 24th Feb 1926, Camden, New Jersey with Jesus Maria Sanroma.
3. Jacques Thibaud plays "Poupee Valsante" by Poldini. This is on French Disque Gramophone, 1st Jul. 1933, Studio No.3, Abbey Road, London with Tasso Janopoulo
4. Jacques Thibaud plays Bach, Gavotte from the 3rd solo Partita BWV 1006, on the Fonotipia label. Recorded in 1905. It's one of the first records Thibaud ever made... The Fonotipia label knew a great fame at the beginning of the 20th century.Not only for the quality of its recordings, but also for the care taken in the choice of its artists. Created in 1904 in Milan by Alfred Michaelis, it offered a remarkable catalogue specialized primarily in the field of the vocal art. Nevertheless, it published some recordings of instrumental soloists too.
5. This is a wonderful recording of Jacques Thibaud playing Havanaise by Saint-Saens.
Recorded in 1933, pianist: Tasso Janopoulo.
6. Jacques Thibaud plays Malagueña by by Albéniz. This is German Electrola pressing based on French matrix. Quite nice finish. Albéniz 'Rumores de la Caleta', album leaves op.165(arr. Kreisler) 3. Malagueña, 1st Jul. 1933, Abbey Road Studios, London with Tasso Janopoulo.
7. Jacques Thibaud plays de Falla La Vida Breve.
8. Jacques Thibaud plays Granados Trois Danses Espagnole 3. Danse Originale
9. Jacques Thibaud plays Waltz No.15 in A flat major by Brahms. This is very early electric recording on British HMV. Waltz No.15 in A flat major, op.39(arr. Hochstein) 23rd Nov. 1925, Hayes, England with Harold Craxton.
10. Jacque Thibaud plays Tambourin by Leclair (arr Kreisler). Early electric recording by French Gramophone.
11. Jacques Thibaud plays Tambourin by Rameau / Kreisler and Saltarello by Wieniavski / Thibaud. An acoustic recording by French Disque Gramophone. Interesting couple of arrangement of Kreilser and of player himself. Wienavski is an astonishing virtuoso playing of Thibaud. 6th Feb. 1922, London with Harold Craxton.
12. Jacques Thibaud plays Tango by Albeniz. This is an electric recording on 10 inch French Gramophon, perhaps a post war press.
Albéniz 'Rumores de la Caleta', album leaves op.165 (arr. Kreisler) 2. Tango, 1st Jul. 1933, Abbey Road Studios, London with Tasso Janopoulo.
13. Jacques Thibaud plays Prélude from 'Le Déluge' by Saint-Saëns. This is very early electric recording on British HMV. 24th Feb. 1926, Camden, New Jersey with Jesus Maria Sanroma.
14. Jacques Thibaud plays Intrada-Adagio by Nachez after Desplanes. This is German Electrola pressing based on French matrix.
15. Jacques Thibaud plays Sonata by Henry Eccles. This is a Japan Victor pressing with special label resembling that of HMV second catalogue. Pressing is very competitive using similar technique like French Disque Gramophone. Sonata for double bass in g minor(arr. Salmon)
1) 24,25th Apr. 1930, Studio C, Small Queen's Hall, London.
16. Jacques Thibaud plays Moment Musical by Schubert / Kreisler and Minute Caprice by Rode / Thibaud. An acoustic recording by French Disque Gramophone. Again arrangement by Kreisler and Thibaud on one side. 6th Feb. 1922, London with Harold Craxton.
17. Jacques Thibaud plays DANZA ESPAÑOLA by Granados arranged by Kreisler. This is US Victor early z-pressing. Spanish Dance, op.37(arr. Kreisler)
Rondelia Aragonesa 21st Oct. 1927, London with Harold Craxton.
18. Jacque Thibaud plays "Golliwog's Cake Walk" from Children's Corner by Debussy.
19. Jacques Thibaud plays "La Fille aux Cheveux de lin" by Debussy. This is very early electric recording on British HMV. 14th Feb. 1927, London(No.8; arr. Hartmann) with Harold Craxton.
20. Jacques Thibaud and Tasso Janopoulo play Szymanowski "La Fontaine d'Aréthuse".
21. Jacques Thibaud plays Martin Pierre Marsick - joue le scherzando (arr.Kreisler).
22. Paradis - Siciliana （1930）
Jacques Thibaud : Violin
Tasso Janopolou : Piano
Arranged by Dushkin
23. Jacques Thibaud plays Saint Saëns's "Prélude du "Déluge"
Georges de Lausnay, piano
Rec. May 29th 1929
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| French violinist Jacques Thibaud (1880-1953), holding violin and bow, leaning against piano. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Jacques Thibaud, celebrated French violinist; b. Bordeaux, Sept. 27, 1880; d. in an airplane crash near Mt. Cemet, in the French Alps, en route to French Indochina, Sept. 1, 1953.
He began his training with his father and made his debut at age 8 in Bordeaux; at 13, he entered the Paris Conservatory as a pupil of Martin Marsick, graduating with the premier prix in 1896. In 1898 he made his debut as a soloist (with Colonne) with such success that he was engaged for 54 concerts in Paris in the same season. Subsequently, he appeared in all the musical centers of Europe, and from 1903 visited America numerous times. He joined Alfred Cortot and Pablo Casals in a famous trio (1930-35). With Marguerite Long, he founded the renowned Long-Thibaud competition in 1943. He was particularly authoritative in French music.
