news G&.notes Classical Composers: The Original Rock Stars Keeping Score Television Series Explores The Lives of Beethoven, Stravinsky And Copland On PBS This November (NAPSA)}—What makes a musician legendary? Someone whose unique vision and revolutionary music define an era and stand the test of time. This November, “Keeping Score,” a PBS television series created by the San Francisco Symphony, explores the lives and times of the original “rock stars”— classical music composers. Classical music was the popular music of its time, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Composers profiled in “Keeping Score” —Ludwig van Beethoven, Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland— all created works that continue to engage and inspire people today. The stories of who these great composers were and how they created their musical masterpieces are as compelling as the music itself. “Keeping Score” brings the lives and times of these composers to life, making classical music accessible to people of all ages and musical backgrounds. Each one-hour “Keeping Score” episode, shot documentary style, takes viewers on a journey across the world to explore how and why Beethoven, Stravinsky and Copland were able to write such remarkable and revolutionary music. Audiences join Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, in rehearsal and performance, and travel with him as he discovers the stories behind the music of classic rock stars. Episode One: Two hundred years ago, Beethoven rewrote the rules of music when he premiered his “Eroica Symphony,” describing through music his own personal experiences. Filmed on location in and around Vienna, the episode explores Beethoven’s life story, his deafness, his rivals and fans. redit - Kristen Loken The San Francisco Symphony’s innovative conductor Michael Tilson Thomas—the maestro behind “Keeping Score.” Episode Two: Almost 100 years ago, Igor Stravinsky shocked the Western world with his ballet score “The Rite of Spring,” a highly charged and confrontational piece. Filmed in St. Petersburg and Paris, the episode explores the spirit in which it was written and the drama of the opening night. Episode Three: In the early 20th century, the sounds of America burst upon the world with jazz, blues, spirituals, folk music, Latin music and the hits of Tin Pan Alley. Aaron Copland listened and absorbed everything around him. Filmed on location in New York, Brooklyn and Prague, this episode visits the places and explores the ideas that shaped Aaron Copland’s life and music. The “Keeping Score” episodes air on PBS stations nationwide this November (check your local listings). The companion Website, www.keepingscore.org, is an interactive site that explores the music and stories behind the works in much greater depth.
