Directors’ Musical Legacy
The Directors' Musical Legacy was a special initiative of Curtis's 2011-12 Appassionato season, reflecting the school's extraordinary heritage.
The Curtis philosophy encourages students to "learn by doing." One might also argue that Curtis director/presidents—outstanding artists as well as administrators—lead by doing. Over the course of several weeks, Curtis celebrates the musical impact of each director by releasing exemplary historical recordings of their music-making.
ROBERTO DÍAZ, from 2006 TO PRESENT
LISZT: Romance Oubliée
Roberto Díaz, viola, with Wolfgang Sawallisch, piano
Recorded at Curtis Hall in Philadelphia, April 26, 1998
Previous Features in this series
Gary Graffman: ROREM Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, movements 2, 3, and 4
Gary Graffman and the Symphony Orchestra of the Curtis Institute of Music with André Previn, conductor
Recorded at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, February 1993
John de Lancie: BARBER Summer Music, Op. 31
The Philadelphia Quintet: Robert Cole, flute ('51); John de Lancie, oboe ('40); Anthony Gigliotti, clarinet ('47); Mason Jones, horn ('38); Sol Schoenbach, bassoon
Recorded September 21, 1958 for Columbia Masterworks, Re-released by Boston Records, 2011
Rudolf Serkin: MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue in E minor, Op. 35, No. 1
Rudolf Serkin, piano
Recorded at Curtis Hall; October 30, 1974; 8 p.m.,
Efrem Zimbalist: BRAHMS Concerto in A Minor for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra, Op. 102
Curtis Symphony Orchestra; Gregor Piatigorsky, cello; Alexander Hilsberg, conductor
Recorded at the Academy of Music; January 5, 1949; 8 p.m.
Randall Thompson: THOMPSON Symphony No. 2; Movement 1 (Allegro)
Curtis Symphony Orchestra; Fritz Reiner, conductor
Recorded in Casimir Hall, April 29, 1940
Josef Hofmann: BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 4 in G major for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 3
Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor
Recorded at the Academy of Music, April 4, 1938, 8:30 p.m.
Learn more about the school's rich heritage and innovative future as covered in The Curtis Factor. This multifaceted print and web project created by the Philadelphia Inquirer encompasses videos, articles, photo essays, and a historic timeline.
Curtis thanks Cooke & Bieler for its generous sponsorship of the Directors' Musical Legacy project, as well as the 2010–11 Season Selections from Curtis CD.
