So You Want to Be a Music Critic

David Randolph returns again to the subject of what a critic looks for in a musical performance. Previously he considered tempo. Today he wants to go further with tempo - that is, beyond the speed with which a performer plays a piece of music. What about the changes of tempo within the same performance?

Russian Sailor's Dance from the popular ballet by Reinhold Glière, called The Red Poppy. It is performed here by the National Theatre under Yuri Fayer.

Russian Sailor's Dance from the popular ballet by Reinhold Glière, performed by the Vienna State Opera under the direction of Hermann Scherchen.

The Pines of Rome by Respighi performed by the Vienna State Opera conducted by Argeo Quadri.

The Pines of Rome by Respighi performed by Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Antal Dorati.

Song from the Dichterliebe cycle by Schumann - A Young Man Loved a Maiden. Performed here by Pierre Bernac, baritone with Robert Casadesus at the piano.

Song from the Dichterliebe cycle by Schumann - A Young Man Loved a Maiden. Performed by Walter Ludwig, baritone with Michael Roheisen at the piano.

First movement of Beethoven's Third Sonata for Piano and Cello, Opus 69. Antonio Janigro, Cello; Carlo Zecchi, piano.

First movement of Beethoven's Third Sonata for Piano and Cello, Opus 69. Janos Starker, cello and Abba Bogin, piano.

WNYC archives id: 53618