Classical Californians: Nicholas McGegan

Dario Acosta

This week’s Classical Californian is conductor Nicholas McGegan, Music Director Laureate of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, who bookends his selections with a pair of works by English composers Benjamin Britten and Sir Edward Elgar. In between are piano trios by Schubert and Haydn, and operatic arias by Mozart and Vivaldi. Along the way we’ll hear him tell about a memorable rehearsal playing flute in a student orchestra as Britten himself conducted, and page-turning for the accompanist during a recital of one his favorite sopranos.

Benjamin Britten: A Midsummer Night's Dream finale - London Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Britten; cast includes Alfred Deller as Oberon

Franz Schubert: Adagio in E-flat, Op. posth. 148 D.897 "Notturno" - Beaux Arts Trio

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: "Deh vieni," from The Marriage of Figaro - Vienna Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan; Irmgard Seefried, soprano

Antonio Vivaldi: "Come in vano il mare irato" from Catone in Utica - Vivica Genoux, soprano

Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio #18 in A Major finale, "Rondo" - Beaux Arts Trio

Sir Edward Elgar: "A Sabbath Morning at Sea" from Sea Pictures - Dame Janet Baker