Travelling Virtuoso

Donald Macleod follows Gottschalk as he tours Spain, before returning to America to try and make his name in New York

This week, Donald Macleod takes us on a whirlwind journey through some of the most cataclysmic historical events of the 19th century. It’s the incredible story of America’s first international composing star - Louis Moreau Gottschalk - who was in Paris during the French Revolution, returned to America where he played on the front lines of the Civil War and may have been the originator of 'Monster Concerts' during his time in South America where he dodged some of the bloodiest conflicts in Latin American history. On top of all this extraordinary historical backdrop, Donald finds a child prodigy, who would go on to play for Chopin, be championed by Camille Pleyel and praised to the skies by Hector Berlioz, be honoured with a knighthood of the Order of Isabel Católica by the Queen of Spain, and would perform for Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant.

In Tuesday’s programme, Donald follows Gottschalk as he sets out on a politically problematic tour of Spain, which sees the young virtuoso pianist honoured with a knighthood of the Order of Isabel Católica, but left nursing a broken finger which threatens his performing career. Encouraged by his father, he then set sail for America to try and make his name in New York, and after some financial difficulties, he finds the offer of help from an unlikely source - the impresario P.T. Barnum.

Suis-Moi!, Op.45
Laure Favre-Kahn, piano

Recuerdos de Andalucia, Op.22
Raquel del Val, piano

Variations L’hymne Portuguguese, Op.91
Michael Gurt, piano
Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Richard Rosenberg, conductor

O, Ma Charmante, Epargnez-Mol, Op.44
Leonard Pennario, piano

Jerusalem ‘Grande Fantasie Triomphale’, Op.13
Philip Martin, piano

La Gitanella, Caprice Caracteristique, Op.35
Philip Martin, piano

Water Sprite, Op.27
Philip Martin, piano

Dying Poet, RO75 (arr. J Elliott)
Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Richard Rosenberg, conductor

Producer: Sam Phillips