Anderson and Golijov for the record

Composers Datebook

Synopsis

It’s a mark success when a new musical work is recorded shortly after its premiere, and even more when the recording session is the premiere. But that was the case with many works written by American composer Leroy Anderson, whose short and tuneful compositions from the 1940s, 50s and 60s proved enormously popular during his lifetime.

On June 20, 1962, Anderson was at New York’s Manhattan Center, conducting for Decca Records the premiere of his Clarinet Candy. By recording in the summer months, when many of New York’s best symphonic players were available for studio work, he was able to round up top-notch musicians for his recording sessions.

Contemporary Argentinean-born composer Osvaldo Golijov has also proved popular enough to have many of his new works recorded either at their premieres or shortly thereafter. This Klezmer-style clarinet piece, Rocketekya, was written for the 20th anniversary of New York’s Merkin Hall. Golijov explained, “I thought it would be interesting to write a different sort of celebratory piece, and I had an idea of a shofar blasting inside a rocket — an ancient sound propelled toward the future.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975): Clarinet Candy; Decca Studio Orchestra; Leroy Anderson, conductorMCA 9815

Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960): Rocketekya; David Krakauer, clarinet; Alicia Svigals, violin; Martha Mooke, electric viola; Pablo Aslan, contrabass; Naxos 8.559403z