Welcome to "Intermezzo" — where we take a few minutes to bounce some ideas around about classical music.
We're exploring nostalgia this week: memories, emotions and classical music.
In this first episode, the focus is on childhood — a time of wonder, play and imagination. Schumann’s Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), a suite of 13 short piano pieces that reflect the emotional world of a child.
Christy and her Intermezzo cohost Betty highlight pieces like “Knight of the Hobbyhorse,” discussing how toys, familiar sounds and even cartoon music can instantly bring back vivid memories.
Betty shares the instruments she’d use to capture her own nostalgic memories — flute, violin and piano — drawing inspiration from her grandparents’ home.
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If you want to hear more music written about childhood, in addition to Robert Schumann's Kinderszenen, you could try Children’s Carnival, Op.25 written in 1894 by Amy Beach when she was 27.
Between the ages of six and twelve, Amy Beach was composing and touring as a piano prodigy. But she still relates to the rest of us through music like this. A set of six piano pieces describing activities of the height of childhood. Here's "Slipping on the Ice" from her collection titled, "From Six to Twelve."
Christy L'Esperance is the host and producer of Intermezzo.
Thanks to our cohost Betty.
Scott Clemens is IPR's Digital Content Producer.
