Composers Datebook®

In Memoriam: Schubert and Oldham

Composer's Datebook - September 27, 2022
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

On this date in 1828, Franz Schubert attended a party at the Vienna home of one of his admirers and played some of his new piano sonata in B-flat, which he had completed only the previous day. That same month, Schubert composed one of his greatest works, the String Quintet in C Major.

Tragically, in less than two months, Schubert would be dead, an apparent victim of tertiary syphilis, the most dreaded sexually-transmitted disease of Schubert’s day. In our time, antibiotics can treat this once fatal disease, but in the early 1980s, its place was taken by the AIDS epidemic, which, before effective treatments were discovered, shortened the lives of many contemporary artists.

One of these was the American composer Kevin Oldham, born in 1960 in Kansas City. His piano concerto was premiered to critical acclaim and a standing ovation by the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Bill McLaughlin in 1993.

At that time, Oldham was seriously ill in a New York hospital and weighed only 135 pounds. Nevertheless he checked himself out, flew to his home town to solo in his concerto, then returned to the hospital the following day. He died six weeks later at age 32.

When Schubert died, he was only 31.

Music Played in Today's Program

Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Piano Sonata in Bb, D. 960 –Alfred Brendel, piano (Philips 456 573)

Kevin Oldham (1960-1993): Concerto for Piano, Op. 14 –Ian Hobson, piano; Kansas City Symphony; Bill McGlaughlin, cond. (BMG/Catalyst 61979)

On This Day

Births

  • 1879 - English composer Cyril Scott, in Oxton, Cheshire;

  • 1898 - American composer Vincent Youmans, in New York City;

  • 1903 - Russian-born American composer and songwriter Vernon Duke (Vladimir Dukelsky), in Parfianovka (Pskov) (Gregorian date: Oct. 10);

Deaths

  • 1921 - German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, age 67, in Neustrelitz;

  • 1956 - British composer Gerald Finzi, age 55, in Oxford;

Premieres

  • 1960 - Stravinsky: "Monumentum pro Gesualdo di Venosa ad CD annum" (three madrigals by Gesualdo transcribed for orchestra), in Venice, with the composer conducting;

Others

  • 1827 - At a private party in Vienna, Franz Schubert performs selections from his last piano sonatas;

  • 1892 - Czech composer Antonin Dvorák arrives in New York City to take up a position at the National Conservatory.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Beethoven's First

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Symphony No. 1; Concertgebouw Orchestra; Bernard Haitink, conductor; Philips 442 073

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

The truth about Alkan

Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888): ‘Bombardo-Carillon’; Caroline Clemmow and Anthony Goldstone, pedal-piano; Symposium 1062

2:00
YourClassical

Dvorak's 'Rusalka'

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904): ‘O Silver Moon,’ from ‘Rusalka’; Renée Fleming, soprano; London Symphony; Sir Georg Solti, conductor; London 455 760

2:00
YourClassical

Symphonies by Strauss

Richard Strauss (1864-1949): Symphony No. 1; Bavarian Radio Symphony; Karl Anton Rickenbacker, conductor; Koch/Schwann 365 322

2:00
YourClassical

Sheng's 'Silent Temple'

Bright Sheng (b. 1955): String Quartet No. 4 (‘Silent Temple’); Shanghai Quartet; BIS 1138

2:00
YourClassical

Beethoven in Vienna

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): ‘The Creatures of Prometheus’; Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; DG 453 713

2:00
YourClassical

Haydn in Vienna

Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1808): ‘The Creation’; English Baroque Soloists; John Eliot Gardiner, conductor; Archiv 449 217

2:00
YourClassical

Glass in Rome

Philip Glass (b. 1937): ‘Rome Section,’ from ‘The Civil Wars’; Giuseppe Sabbatini, tenor; American Composers Orchestra; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor; Nonesuch 79487

2:00
YourClassical

Beeson's 'Lizzie Borden'

Jack Beeson (1921-2010): ‘Lizzie Borden’; New York City Opera; Anton Coppola, conductor; CRI 694

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00