Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol - Hertz/San Francisco

This recording has special significance to me and especially my brother. The Concertmaster and violin soloist in this recording is Louis Persinger who taught my brother at Julliard in the '60s and taught my teacher, Leonard Posner, in the '30s and '40s. My brother was Principal 2nd Violin in Hartford, played for several years in Torino, and has played with the Houston Symphony since 1977 where he is Assistant Principal 2nd Violin. I played in the Austin Symphony and Lyric Opera until an accident in 2000 left me a quadriplegic.

Alfred Hertz (July 15, 1872 -- April 17, 1942), a German conductor born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Hertz first came to prominence conducting Wagner at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He later became music director of the San Francisco Symphony, from 1915 to 1930, receiving praise and a cover story in Time for his leadership and accomplishments. Hertz led the San Francisco Symphony's first recordings, for Victor, from 1925 to 1930.

Concertmaster and violin soloist is Louis Persinger (11 February 1887 -- 31 December 1966) was an American violinist and pianist. Louis Persinger trained at the Leipzig Conservatory, before finishing with Eugène Ysaÿe in Brussels. He became leader of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra and the Royal Opera Orchestra in Brussels. In 1915 he was appointed leader and assistant conductor to the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. He succeeded Leopold Auer in 1930 at the Juilliard School, in New York. He was best known as the teacher of Yehudi Menuhin, Ruggiero Ricci, Isaac Stern, Camilla Wicks, Almita Vamos, and Louise Behrend. He was also Ricci's piano accompanist for many recitals and recordings.

Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 - 1908)

One of the Five, the leading group of 19th century Russian nationalist composers, Rimsky-Korsakov embarked at first on a career as a naval officer, later resigning to devote himself entirely to music. He was proficient as an orchestrator, completing and revising works such as Borodin's opera Prince Igor and much of the seemingly uneven writing of Mussorgsky. A teacher, his pupils including the young Stravinsky. Most generally known for his orchestral compositions, Rimsky-Korsakov wrote songs and choral music, chamber music and works for piano. His textbook on orchestration has been widely if not always wisely used.

Of the fifteen operas orchestral and instrumental excerpts from some of these may be very familiar, including the famous Flight of the Bumble Bee, from The Tale of Tsar Saltan, a prince who turns himself into a bee and stings his wicked aunts.

Of the various orchestral works of Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio espagnol (Spanish Caprice) and the Arabian Nights Sheherazade are by far the best known, followed by the Russian Easter Festival Overture.Caprice) and the Arabian Nights Sheherazade are by far the best known, followed by the Russian Easter Festival Overture.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Capriccio
• Espanol
• Rimsky-Korsakov
• Alfred
• Hertz
• San
• Francisco
• Symphony
• Orchestra

[randomvidsinc123]

I'm just a normal teen, I'm playing this in this orchestra I'm in, a 2nd violin. Thanks a lot for posting this, I wanted to hear how it actually sounded before our performance so I can see what to work on. Thanks again!

[2ndviolinist]

@randomvidsinc123 Your school orchestra must have a good concertmaster. Glad you are not abnormal, but hope you kick up your heels a bit while you are young. TY for listening.

[rs1437]

Persinger instructed my great aunt at julliard, thanks for posting!

[2ndviolinist]

@rs1437 What years?

[lovelyisntlove]

Louis Persinger is my great grandfather, thanks for posting this! :)

[2ndviolinist]

@lovelyisntlove That's good lineage. My brother loved him, hung out around his studio to take extra lessons when others canceled. He also visited him at his home and even did baby sitting for them.

[MrTimber101]

Alfred Hertz conducted the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in its very first recordings, for Victor, from 1925 to 1930. I don't think these recordings were ever reissued on LP or CD. Victor had a plant in Oakland, where it's likely most of the recordings were made.

[lovelyisntlove]

oh wow, thats interesting. I have always taught myself how to play instruments, and was even in a band as a teenager, but nothing close to classical music. so he babysat my grandpa! haha :) If you have any other info, id love to hear it.

[2ndviolinist]

Just need a time machine and play well enough.

[kitkatwinkies]

i have to play this in orchestra =/