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Celebrating the Century

As we approach the end of the twentieth century, it is appropriate to reflect and celebrate the beauty and expressive power of the greatest works of art created in our own time. The program begins with the "piece of the century," Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, in an extraordinary and riveting solo piano transcription.

The concert proceeds to explore music from throughout the twentieth century, presenting a nice variety of compositions all of the highest possible quality, including works by Sofia Gubaidulina of Russia and Gyorgy Ligeti of Hungary, Michael Arnowitt's two favorite living composers.

Other composers represented on the program include Olivier Messiaen and Dmitri Shostakovich, and Michael Arnowitt has in past performances of the program included on the second half a work by a local or faculty composer. The final piece on the program, Sergei Prokofiev's brilliant and electric Etude in C minor, op. 2 no. 3, the musical equivalent of a tongue-twister, brings the concert to an exciting close.

You may be interested to read Michael's short essay Thoughts on the Close of the Century, based on some of his spoken commentary which accompanied this recital. Those of you particularly interested in the Ligeti, please click here to read information about a whole program dedicated to music of Ligeti and the composers who influenced him.