Synopsis

Deadlines are a fact of life for many of us — and composers are no exception.

In 1875, Peter Tchaikovsky agreed to write 12 short solo pieces, one a month, for a St. Petersburg music magazine, beginning with their January 1876 issue. Tchaikovsky dashed the first piece off, but, fearing that he might forget his monthly deadline, took the wise precaution of instructing his servant to remind him.

“Peter Ilyich, isn’t it about time to send something off to St. Petersburg?” Tchaikovsky’s dutiful servant would say before each month’s deadline. Tchaikovsky would drop whatever he was working on and finish the next installment.

So, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine Tchaikovsky on this date back in 1876, putting the finishing touches to this little piano piece for the May issue of the St. Petersburg magazine, a sketch he titled Starlight Nights.

More recently, the contemporary American composer, Judith Lang Zaimont, also composed a set of 12 short piano pieces, one for each month, a suite she titled Calendar Collection.

An accomplish pianist and composer, Zaimont taught for many years at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. This music — which we again offer ahead of schedule — is titled The May Fly.

Music Played in Today's Program

Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): May, from The Seasons; Lang Lang, piano; Sony 11758

Judith Lang Zaimont (b. 1945): The May Fly, from Calendar Collection; Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano; Leonarda 334