By The Piano Histories Podcast
The podcast currently has 41 episodes available.
Our performance of Henriëtte Bosmans’ Impressions, played by our host and pianist Eliana Zebro. This performance includes an excerpt of the piano part from Movement II: Nuit calme.
Henriëtte Bosmans was a Dutch-born composer who toured all across Europe. Her country, the Netherlands, has an interesting history, one of war, defeat, and victory. The people of the Netherlands wanted greater individual rights and freedoms, and fought to battle their government’s abuse of power. And years after this battle would conclude, Bosmans wrote her original composition, Impressions. The date of composition is currently unknown, but it was of course written during Bosmans’ lifetime, so its history aligns with hers. Indeed, Europe’s history would go to interesting places during Bosmans’ lifetime. Today, The Piano Histories podcast will share the history of Henriëtte Bosmans’ Impressions, as well as the history of the Netherlands.
Our performance of George Gershwin’s Three Preludes, played by our host and pianist Eliana Zebro. This performance includes an excerpt from Movement II.
On July 20, 1925, Time magazine featured composer George Gershwin on its cover. At the time, Gershwin was redefining the American musical with smashing successes like his musical Lady Be Good! But musicals aren’t the only works Gershwin crafted. In the 1920’s, he began writing his piano preludes, which showcased the jazz-inspired elements of his compositional style. And that same decade would mark the beginning of the Prohibition in Gershwin’s country, America. The Prohibition was America’s nationwide ban on alcohol—selling, buying, importing, or otherwise obtaining alcoholic beverages. But, as we will soon discuss, people used other means outside the law to obtain alcohol—as they say, when there’s a will, there’s a way. And Gershwin, an American, would naturally be affected by the events that unfolded.
Our performance of Ernest Bloch’s Poems of the Sea, B. 46, played by our host and pianist Eliana Zebro. This performance includes an excerpt from Movement I: Waves.
Ernest Bloch is known as an America composer, but despite this, he was not actually born in America. Bloch was born in Switzerland, and he became a United States citizen in the early 20th century. But shortly after Bloch came to America, things would begin to change. The government would pas new immigration acts, which greatly limited the immigrants allowed to come to America. While it would not affect Bloch directly, it is important to discuss, as it will provide a wider context for his arrival in America. And around the same time period as these acts being passes, Bloch would write his multi-movement piano piece, Poems of the Sea, B.46. It is a poetic work showcasing the character of the sea in each movement. And, as we will come to discuss, it showcases one immigrant’s victory against America’s racist policies.
Our performance of Edward MacDowell’s Sea Pieces, Op. 55, played by our host and pianist Eliana Zebro. This performance includes an excerpt from Movement II: From a Wandering Iceberg.
Edward MacDowell was an American composer—and yet, his talent took him to places across Europe. He would go to France and Germany, and thus became a composer who was very well-traveled. He would return to America in 1896, and his return would align with important moments in American history. The People’s Party, a political party that aimed to help to American people, was founded by 2 very important individuals during this time, and it would only grow as time went on. And also during this time, MacDowell wrote his piano work, Sea Pieces, Op. 55. It is a work representing his continued time in America, and his progress as a composer. And it was written during a very important time for all Americans. Today, The Piano Histories Podcast will detail the history behind Edward MacDowell’s Sea Pieces, Op. 55, as well as part of the history of the People’s Party.
Our performance of Florence Price’s The Goblin and the Mosquito, played by our host and pianist Eliana Zebro.
Composer Florence Price was the first black woman to be recognized as a major composer. And she lived during a time when black people were artistically flourishing. The Harlem Renaissance had begun, and it caused the advancement of many talented African American people. Many other important moments in African American history also came about before and during this time, including the Pan-African Conferences and the Great Migration. And in the aftermath of these accomplishments, Florence Price wrote her piano work, The Goblin and the Mosquito. Today, The Piano Histories Podcast will detail the history behind Florence Price’s The Goblin and the Mosquito, as well as part of the history of the United States & the Harlem Renaissance.
The podcast currently has 41 episodes available.