P.D.Q. Bach Concerto 'Finnishes' first run in Finland

He's still somewhat alive and finding tattered scores from the deepest chasms by P.D.Q. Bach. After many years of excavation, the last major undertaking, (pardon the pun), by the unequivocal and notorious Professor Peter Schickele, has been unearthed by P.D.Q. Bach - the 'Concerto for Simply Grand Piano and Orchestra' - written for rebel pianist, Jeffrey Biegel, who has commissioned composers of all walks of life (and death!) to compose new works for piano and orchestra. Perhaps this is one of the only visits P.D.Q.'s music will make to the land of Finland, where music is very highly respected - well, at least until May 8! Hopefully, thereafter! This remarkable oeuvre has been co-commissioned by many brave orchestras, including the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for its Worldly Premiere, the Arkansas Philharmonic, Austin Symphony, Empire State Youth Orchestra (why not let the kids get a taste of this genius!), Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (where Prof. Schickele was a teenage bassoonist in the orchestra), Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (sponsored by Vocal Essence),  New Philharmonia (Newton, MA), North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Kentucky, Philharmonia Northwest, Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra (Oregon), South Florida Symphony Orchestra, South Shore Symphony Orchestra (Long Island), Traverse Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio. In three movements, this is one of P.D.Q. Bach's most mature works, in a neo-Baroquesiccal style (what's THAT?!), combining Baroque and Classical styles - good and bad. The honors of the European Premiere fall down on one of the finest 'fin'omenal Finnish orchestras, the Jyvaskyla Sinfonia. Urged by one of its members, Gary Littler, Mr. Biegel was introduced to its administration with the idea of having the orchestra join the 'gang' to commission the work, which up until now, has not been a bad thing at all. In fact, the concerto is received very enthusiastically everywhere it has been seen and heard. To date, there have been no arrests for slander or theft of musical material, although there are a few snippets of other folks's work here and there. Hey, it's not so bad. It happens to be a marvelous composition.

 

So, if you happen to be one of those few living in or near Jyvaskyla, you owe it to yourself to catch this performance before the opportunity never presents itself again. But, who knows - it might be well received and catch the attention of other conductors willing to give it a shot on their concert series. They could do worse! The performance will be on May 8 with Eero Lehtimaki conducting, with Mr. Biegel as soloist. Just to prove that Biegel is indeed a bona fide pianist, he will also perform Chopin's beautiful 'Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise' with the orchestra.

 

P. D. Q. Bach: Concerto for Simply Grand Piano and Orchestra
Lotta Wennäkoski: Jong, with Sakari Männistö, jongleeraus
Frédéric Chopin: Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante
Aaron Copland: Music for the Theatre

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