J. S. Bach:  Goldberg Variations

J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

I’ve been drawn closer and closer to Bach lately. Maybe he’s the only antidote I have to our perilous and uncertain times. Yesterday was “Bist Du bei Mir”. And the day before “Schlummert Ein”. To follow, I was drawn to the Goldberg...
J. S. Bach:  Bist Du Bei Mir

J. S. Bach: Bist Du Bei Mir

Today’s Song of the Day features one of my all-time favorites, again by J.S.Bach. I’ve been re-reading John Eliot Gardiner’s Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven with much pleasure. Do yourself a favor and read it. This is from Anna Magdalena’s...
J. S. Bach:  Schlummert Ein

J. S. Bach: Schlummert Ein

J.S. Bach is still the guiding light for most of us who have studied and practice classical music. He created a kind of purity that I think married humanity with the loftiest concept of God. I personally find Bach is enough, without religion. And when Lorraine Hunt...
William Bolcom:  Paula’s Aria

William Bolcom: Paula’s Aria

It’s been a very busy winter at NYFOS. Tchaikovsky, Paul Bowles (A Picnic Cantata), Gabe Kahane, Bill Bolcom, and the Juilliard Protest program. Steve Blier jetted off to UCLA to work with the students and Peter Kazaris. Opera America asked us to help with their...
Stephen Sondheim:  No One Is Alone

Stephen Sondheim: No One Is Alone

The songs I’ve offered up over the last few days shook me by the shoulders and handed me this piece as my last choice. I realized mid-week that the songs I’ve chosen, and the majority of songs throughout history either celebrate our connection with each...
Richard Wagner:  Die Frist ist um

Richard Wagner: Die Frist ist um

I couldn’t submit five choices without choosing one piece operatic.  Ok, it’s a bit long but it’s Richard Wagner, the early years when he was still in his ‘bel canto’ period.  And baby, could he ever write a melody and throw some...