Beethoven’s Pastoral

American cellist Julian Schwarz performs Bruch’s Kol Nidrei and Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Although Bruch himself was not Jewish, his haunting and evocative Kol Nidrei was inspired by two traditional Hebrew melodies and his friendships with Jewish musicians.

Inspired by Mozart, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme could not be more of a contrast with its early 18th century dance themes.

Written during the same period as his Fifth Symphony, Beethoven loved his daily walks and the Sixth (‘Pastoral’) was inspired by his love of nature. As a contrast to the dramatic Fifth and its image of “fate knocking at the door,” the Sixth conjures up images of country life, scenes by a brook, a thunderstorm, and finally grateful feelings after the storm. It remains one of his most popular works.

Often called the dean of African-American classical composers, William Grant Still’s Mother and Child is said to be the composer’s favorite work. It was inspired by a chalk drawing by Sargent Claude Johnson, a black artist living in San Francisco. The image reminded the composer of his relationship to his own mother.