LUCO: Dukas, Stravinsky, Ravel, Rachmaninoff
$18 ($13 senior/student)
Maurice Ravel — Le Tombeau de Couperin
Igor Stravinsky — Pulcinella Suite
Paul Dukas — Fanfare from La Péri
Nikolas Caoile, guest conductor
Dukas – Fanfare from La Péri
Stravinsky – Pulcinella
Ravel – Le Tombeau de Couperin
Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances
It was the search for immortality's ever-fascinating theme that inspired Dukas to compose his 1912 one-act ballet. The fanfare that it features is often performed by itself as a standalone showpiece for the brass section.
There is an interesting parallel in this beautiful program which connects the compositions of Ravel and Stravinsky. Both Pulcinella and Le Tombeau are homages to past composers, namely Pergolesi and Couperin. The results are fantastically inventive treatments of old melodies and harmonies with 20th-century twists. Both Stravinsky and Ravel are supreme orchestrators and the tonal palettes they create are unmatched in their invention and complete originality.
Although he was revered as one of the greatest pianists and composers for the piano of all time, Rachmaninoff was often criticized for his handling of the orchestra. With his masterpiece Symphonic Dances Op. 45, he lays those doubts to rest. It was to be his very last composition, and in it he turned back to his native Russia in a tribute that has become timeless and is one of the finest expressions of Slavic music.