Today on The Big Picture, host Andrew Gobeil introduces Marian McPartland as she prepares to premiere her composition, “A Portrait of Rachel Carson,” with the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra.
Before the premiere, Marian holds a Master Class with musicians from the USC School of Music. She invited students to come up and play with her in the two-piano format of the long running NPR series Piano Jazz. At one point, Marian noted that they had a small band up there, including an upright bass. The students and Marian were clearly delighted by the opportunity afforded by the class.
Dr. Donald Portnoy talks about Marian's career and later Beryl Dakers sits down with Marian to discuss the series, as well as to talk about her composition honoring Rachel Carson. The orchestration was arranged by New Zealand pianist, Alan Broadbent. Within the composition, the featured clarinet represents the voice of Rachel Carson. Marian’s symphony consists of two pieces, which are linked by Marian's improvised cadenza. Portnoy takes his cue from her that she is coming to the end of the cadenza, whereupon he begins the second and final movement.
Marian reflects upon Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring. Later in the program, we hear from Rachel’s son, Roger Christie, and her granddaughter, Donna Kassel Goudol, and they talk about Marian's great hope that the symphony would encourage the public to revisit Rachel's writings and champion the environmental cause.
The performance took place on November 15, 2007. McPartland concluded the concert by playing “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
We will present a full collection featuring Marian McPartland performing with Bobby Short, Dave Brubeck, and more - including the premiere of Marian McPartland's "A Portrait for Rachel Carson" performed with the USC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Portnoy - on Monday, April 28 on ETV Classics! Be sure to join us then!
Side Notes
- Rachel Carson author of Silent Spring 1907 - 1964.
- Rachel Carson Foundation - A Symphony for Rachel Carson.
- Rachel Carson's Obituary.
- Donald Portnoy, USC School of Music - Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
- Jenna McSwain
- Trinity Church New York - Remembering Marian McPartland
- Rapp on Jazz - We are adding a new regular local segment to our schedule next week. Hosted by Mark Rapp of the ColaJazz Foundation (and host of ColaJazz Presents), these one-minute modules will highlight jazz history, famous performers from South Carolina, and much more beginning March 31. These will air Monday-Friday at 6:50 am, 8:50 am, 1:39 pm, and 5:48 pm on all stations.
- ColaJazz Presents will begin our usual encore broadcasts of last fall's season of the show next week as well. This will preempt Jazz Night in America Sunday nights at 8:00pm April 6- June 29.
