This was a very interesting event that took place at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts (sort of my home away from home). Program Director Evan Leslie had an informal discussion with world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax and, based on an earlier phone interview with Mr. Ax, we heard excerpts from what would be Mr. Ax's personal listening list. In this case, the excerpts were culled from the library's extensive Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound of the New York Public Library (blatant plug!).
After an initial faux pas (Mr. Ax sat on his cordless microphone that was waiting for him on his chair), Mr. Leslie lobbed sort of soft ball questions that Mr. Ax volleyed with variants of, "I'm not really sure." Which was not a problem. Because when questioned about why you like what you like, and what's the best (fill in the blank), there are no easy/real answers. But the discussion was lively and, as mentioned above, punctuated with recordings from the library's extensive collection (blatant plug!). After taking copious notes, I learned that there would be a printed Listen List available upon exiting, complete with QR codes for those savvy enough to use them. The list also has hard copy info for those of us not savvy enough to use the QR codes. Thoughtful, indeed.
While the musical excerpts were enjoyable, more so was being able to listen in on an artistic discussion with a living legend via a library curator who is also a musician.
Highlights: According to Mr. Ax, Mozart is one of those composers who will last! (Emphasis, mine.) Da Ponte (Mozart's librettist) moved to New York at one point. As a surprise, Mr. Leslie played a "recording" of Mieczyslaw Münz, Mr. Ax's teacher. And there were highlights featuring Mr. Ax's collaborations with Isaac Stern, Jaime Laredo, and Yo-Yo Ma. Heady stuff. Of special note, the Münz was an aural recording of the piano roll created by the Ampico company—a company that created piano rolls played by living composers playing their own works, that could later be played back on a player piano. High tech for this 1927 recording!
In a (slightly contrived) "lightning round," Mr. Ax's listening list included the operas Aida, Tosca, and La Bohème, as well as jazz (Bill Charlap Live at the Village Vanguard, Ella Fitzgerald, live at Mister Kelly's, and Oscar Petersen: Exclusively for My Friends). Another "lightning round" selection was Maurice Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé; Pavane pour une infante déunte; and La valse.
The main listening list included Mozart, Chopin, Fauré, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky—you know, the usual suspects. But, oh what usual suspects, and oh what wonderful recordings from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives. There's a bunch of good stuff out there, folks. Seek it out.
ConcertMeister
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