The New Criterion

This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth. So we have been hearing a lot of him. Jay plays two pieces by him—two of his best, and most typical. There are also Spanish songs, by Obradors and Rodrigo. Some Schumann, some Vaughan Williams, and so on. Plus several stories—personal ones. An enriching, smile-making program. Obradors, “Del cabello más sutil” Rodrigo, “De ronda” Bernstein, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Beethoven, “Leonore” Overture No. 3 Vaughan Williams, “Linden Lea” Ravel, “Pavane for a Dead Princess” Schumann, Sonata in D minor for Piano and Violin Handel, “Son nata a lagrimar,” from “Giulio Cesare” Ravel, “The Fairy Garden” from the “Mother Goose” Suite