An American in Paris

Donald Macleod explores Gottschalk’s youth in New Orleans and Paris, where revolution is in the air

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 Monday’s episode, Donald explores early 19th century New Orleans, where Gottschalk was born, and tracks his move, as a young prodigy, to Paris, at the age of just 12. At the time, Paris was in thrall to the virtuoso talents of Chopin Liszt and Sigismund Thalberg, but, despite his own talents, Gottschalk found himself banned from admission to the Paris Conservatoire because he was a foreigner. Having begun to make his name in the city, Gottschalk was still in Paris when the revolution of 1848 hit. Donald discovers how the young musician coped with the turmoil, and how he fared afterwards, when his league of admirers grew to include the Russian Grand Duchess Anna Fedorovna and Berlioz!

Symphony no 1, RO 255 “La nuit des tropiques” - II. Allegro Moderato
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Igor Buketoff, conductor

Le carnaval de Venice “Grand caprice et variations”, Op.89
Philip Martin, piano

Grand Scherzo, Op.57
Georges Rabol, piano

La Chasse de jeune Henri: Overture (arr. Gottschalk for 3 pianos, 10 hands and orchestra, RO 54b)
John Contiguglia (piano)
Richard Contiguglia (piano)
Angela Draghicescu (piano)
Chin-Ming Lin (piano)
Joshua Pepper (piano)
Hot Springs Music Festival Symphony Orchestra
Richard Rosenberg, conductor

Bamboula, Op.2
Amiram Rigai, piano

Le Bananier, Op.5
Philip Martin, piano

Producer: Sam Phillips