Exile

Donald Macleod discovers why Gottschalk lived out the final years of his life in a self-imposed exile from America

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 Amercia 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 Friday’s programme, Donald Macleod explains why Gottschalk fled America, and tracks his movements through South America, as he lives out the final years of his life in a self-imposed exile from his native country.

Morte!! Op.60
Amiram Rigai, piano

Ses Yeux, Op.66
Philip Martin, piano

Caprice Elegiaque, Op.56
Philip Martin, piano

Marguerite, Op.76
Leonard Pennario, piano

Symphony no 2 “A Montevideo”, RO.257
Berlin Symphoniker
Samuel Adler, conductor

Grande Fantasie Bresiliene, Op.69
Steven Mayer, piano

Producer: Sam Phillips