Fredrick Kaufman: Guernica Piano Concerto and other orchestral works
7/30/2013, 5 Tracks, 45:48
Featuring
Marcello Rota
Kemal Gekić
Carlos Piantini
Mark Drobinsky
Richard Hein
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Czech Symphony Orchestra
Fredrick Kaufman
Did you know?
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Composer Biography
Fredrick Kaufman's Cello Concerto, Kaddish, was written in memory of his parents, with the solo cello part reflecting his father's personality and the solo violin part (though the text later clarifies it's a cello concerto) reflecting his mother's.
Historical Context
The Guernica Piano Concerto by Fredrick Kaufman was inspired by the 1937 bombing of the Basque city of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, the world's first bombing of civilians.
Performer Biography
Cellist Mark Drobinsky, born in Baku, Russia, studied with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and was awarded first prize at the International Competition of Munich.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Fredrick Kaufman, a veteran of war in the Middle East, aims for his anti-war compositions to not only depict the horrors of war but also to cry out for peace, love, and a positive approach to life.
Notable Performances
Fredrick Kaufman's Cello Concerto, Kaddish, received its premiere at Lincoln Center in 1985 and has since been performed over 100 times worldwide, including annual broadcasts in Israel on the day of mourning for over 10 years.
Performer Biography
Pianist Kemal Gekic, born in Split, Croatia, is known for his daring approach to tone and form, and his recording of Liszt's Transcendental Etudes is considered by many to be the best recording of the set in history.
Album & Artwork
The album's cover art features Pablo Picasso's iconic 1937 painting "Guernica," which depicts the tragedy of the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
