Far from being museum pieces that are
only performed exactly as written, many classical works come
in different versions, whether sanctioned (or even rearranged)
by the composer himself or reconstructed by someone else.
For its next Brooklyn Museum concert, on March 6, the St. Luke’s
Chamber Ensemble plays three Romantic Era masterpieces in versions
usually not heard. In the case of Wagner’s lovely lullaby for
his young son, "Siegfried Idyll" (1870), the ensemble
performs the original arrangement for flute, oboe, two clarinets,
bassoon, two horns, trumpet and strings. (It’s usually heard
in a more voluptuous string-orchestra arrangement.)
Franz Lizst’s 1840 "Malediction" was originally composed
for piano and string orchestra. But this concerto-like work will
be performed in a stripped-down arrangement for piano and string
quintet. Pianist Jeffrey Swann (pictured) takes the demanding
solo part in this performance.
The final work on this program, Johannes Brahms’ "Serenade"
(1859) was originally composed as a nonet (flute, bassoon, horn,
violin, viola, cello, bass, two clarinets), but after creating
an arrangement for chamber orchestra, Brahms’ original was lost.
This nonet version was reconstructed by Alan Boustead, and was
first heard in 1987.
The final St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble concert is May 15, when
an all-baroque program includes music by Bach and Handel.
The St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble performs Wagner, Liszt and Brahms
on March 6, at 2 pm, in the Cantor Auditorium, Brooklyn Museum
of Art, 200 Eastern Parkway at Washington Avenue in Prospect
Heights. Tickets are $25, $18 for museum members, students and
senior rush seats available one hour before the concert. For
more information, call (212) 594-6100 or visit www.orchestraofstlukes.org.
