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Event
Inauguration of a Federal-era Square Grand Piano-forte
Sunday, June 4, 2017, 4:30 PM
Wheeler Library, 101 Main Street, North Stonington
Inauguration of a Federal-era Square Forte-piano built by George P. Astor Co., London, and restored to performance condition by
Zuckermann Harpsichords, Stonington.
Artistic Director Aymeric Dupré la Tour will inaugurate a newly restored antique instrument with music, all published from 1773 to 1794, by composers Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Friedrich August Baumbach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Muzio Clementi, Joseph Haydn, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
This event celebrates both the donation and completion of the restoration of a rare turn-of-the-nineteenth century forte-piano marketed by the Astor Company of London and first acquired by an important post-Revolutionary American businessman, Peter A. Karthaus, Sr. (1765-1840) who immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland in 1796. This instrument has been entrusted to our society by one of his direct descendants who also commissioned its restoration which was performed by Zuckermann Harpsichords of Stonington under the direction of its president, Richard Auber, who consulted with world-renowned experts and was closely advised by our artistic director.
The concert opens with a delightful early Haydn sonata (1773), the first work dedicated to the rich Hungarian prince he served during his entire career, Nikolaus I, Prince Esterházy. While sounding a bit dry on the harpsichord and too ornate for the modern piano, this divertimento is perfectly rendered with the delicate hammers --covered with multi-layered skins -- of this museum-worthy English forte-piano.
The program also highlights familiar pieces by Mozart some of you might have tackled as a youth such as his late 1788 Sonata in C Major, Sonata semplice (simple sonata) and Twelve Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je maman" (the familiar tune to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) from the early 1780s. It also features Baumbachs rarely-performed Lafayettes Dream, (pub. 1794 a work of fascinating historical interest which musically paints a fantasy of Lafayettes depressed state while in an Austro-Prussian prison (1792-7). The dream continues with the Marquis vision of Americas "angel of Freedom" and a striking premonition of his acclaimed return (1824-5) to this fortunate island of America, "so dear to his heart." It is to be noted that our societys parlor displays two china plates commemorating this actual event.
The concert opens with a delightful early Haydn sonata (1773), the first work dedicated to the rich prince he served during his entire career. While sounding a bit dry on the harpsichord and too ornate for the modern piano, this divertimento is perfectly tailored for the delicate hammers covered with multi-layered skins of this museum-worthy English square forte-piano, first acquired by an important post-Revolutionary American businessman, Peter A. Karthaus, Sr. (1765-1840).
A reception will follow the concert at the Wheeler Library. Reservations are recommended.
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LocationWheeler Library (View)
101 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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