GREAT PERFORMANCES: LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: ANDRE WATTS IN CONCERT (TV)
Summary
One in this series on the performing arts. Broadcast live from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, this program presents a piano recital from keyboard virtuoso Andre Watts. Hosted by Andre Previn who questions Watts during backstage interludes. Watts begins with a performance of Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata in D minor (L. 422) and Sonata in A (L. 345). Backstage, he briefly discusses why he doesn't play the harpsicord. Next, he performs Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata, op. 27, #2 ("Moonlight"). Backstage again, he discusses with Previn some of his between-performance rituals. Next, Watts performs Frederic Chopin's Sonata #2 in B-flat minor Then, during the intermission, Previn interviews Watts, touching on such topics as: how one makes sure not to drip forehead sweat on the piano keys; Watts's smoking of cigars during intermission; Watts's secret "little ritual"; the "two greatest songwriters ever"; and Watts's thoughts on American composers, specifically George Gershwin. After the intermission, Watts performs Gershwin's "Three Preludes" (Watts is forced to stop in the middle of this performance as one of the piano strings snaps). Next, Watts performs Debussy's "La Plus que Lente," "Danse," and "L'Isle Joyeuse." Then, he performs Franz Liszt's "Etude d'Execution Transcendante #10." Encore performances include: Chopin's Etude op. 25, #1; "Revolutionary"; Etude, op. 10, #12; and Edward MacDowell's Etude op. 46.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Edward John Noble Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: February 20, 1985 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:56:38
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:83405
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Piano music; Music
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1976-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Goberman … Producer
- Kirk Browning … Director
- AndrŽ Previn … Host
- Martin Bookspan … Commentator
- AndrŽ Watts … Instrumentalist, Piano
- Ludwig van Beethoven … Composer
- Frederic Chopin … Composer
- Claude Debussy … Composer
- George Gershwin … Composer
- Franz Liszt … Composer
- Edward MacDowell … Composer
- Domenico Scarlatti … Composer