Program Notes

             Wilderness Cello February 22, 2022


                    Camille Saint-Saëns
                    Le Cygne (The Swan)
                from Carnival of the Animals
                            In G
        Born: October 9, 1835, Paris October 9, 1835
             Died: December 16, 1921, Algiers 


                    Ludwig van Beethoven
                 Born: December 1770, Bonn
                Died: March 26, 1827, Vienna
                      Sonata Op.5 Nr.2
                 for Violoncello and Piano
                         In g minor
               Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo
                            And
               Allegro molto più tosto presto
                      


                    Filippo D. Marchetti
                        Fascination
        Born: 26 February 1831, Bolognola, Macerata
                Died: 18 January 1902, Rome
                   Italian opera composer


Beethoven's two-hundred-fiftieth birthday was in 2020.
Ironically, the planned year for Beethoven celebrations
were quashed in the name of that which he most detested,
TYRANNY!

"Freedom, the right of the creative ego to assert itself
unhampered, was a religion with him. When he filled his
music with a profound humanity, he was the son of the
French Revolution, the true democrat, who believed
passionately in the equality of man and who identified
himself with mankind's struggles. 'I, too, am King'
was his credo."

The Sonata Op.5 Nr.2 for cello and piano was composed in 1796.

"We are indebted to Beethoven for introducing the era
of the true sonata for two instruments... true dialog
between equals".

                      ~~

Saint-Saëns had "a restless intellect and prodigious
capacity for work. He studied astronomy, physics and
natural history. He wrote books on philosophy,
literature, painting, and the theater. He produced
poetry and a play. He wrote critical essays and mastered
several languages. He visited virtually every country
in the world."

The Carnival of Animals, subtitled 'A Grand Zoological
Fantasy' was written exclusively for his own
entertainment. He neither permitted it to be published
nor performed it while he was alive... except for
Le Cygne (The Swan).


refs:
Milton Cross, Encyclopedia of the Great
Composers and Their Music

Dimitry Markevitch, Cello Story