The Jungle Book
La Livre de la Jungle (The Jungle Book), Charles Koechlin
Trois Poemes, (3 symphonic poems after Kipling), Op. 18
I. Berceuse phoque (Seal Lullaby)
II. Chanson de nuit dans la jungle (Night Song in the Jungle)
III. Chant de Kala Nag (Song of Kala Nag)
For three vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestraLa Course de Printemps, (The Spring Running, symphonic poem after Kipling), Op. 95
I. Printemps dans la foret (Spring in the Forest)
II. Mowgli
III. La course (The Running)
IV. Nuit (Night)
La M�ditation de Purun Baghat (The Miracle of Purun Baghat), Op. 159
Le Loi de la Jungle (The Law of the Jungle, symphonic poem after Kipling), Op. 175
Les Bandar-Log (Monkey Scherzo, symphonic poem for orchestra), Op. 176
Why this program
The Jungle Book, by French composer Charles Koechlin, is a symphonic cycle based on Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book and composed over a 40-year period from 1899 to 1940. Fascinated by Kipling’s work, Koechlin wrote the first three orchestral songs early in his career and continued throughout his life writing piece after piece to capture its music. In the process, with his own unique and original voice, he demonstrated his genius for orchestration and captured the style and atmosphere of all the best musical giants of the first half of the 20th century (Debussy, Strauss, Bartok, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Ravel, Poulenc, and others). Considered a neglected masterpiece, the symphonic cycle rivals the work of any other composers of the early 20th century.
Because the total work spanned more than 40 years in the writing, it creates a lush and varied set of tone poems which both delineates key points in his compositional development and mirrors in a highly individual way the driving forces of the day in each respective musical period. The Three Poems (1899-1901) derives from the Romantic tradition and marks the transition from vocal works to the lavishly orchestrated symphony. The Spring Running (1925-27) summarizes all his previous experience and paints a perfectly vivid and imaginable film score of the boy Mowgli (made most famous by Disney). The Law of the Jungle (1939) radiates an archaic power in its orchestral monophony. Les Bandor-Log (1938-40) satires Debussyism, atonality, twelve-tone compositional technique, and the “Back to Bach” movement in the sharpest possible contrast to the previous movement. Each piece has its own character and each displays a specific compositional technique, yet the whole has a powerful continuity that will astonish the listener. Even though the jungle is inherently fraught with danger and risk, the audience travels an unexpected journey that is remarkably fresh, cinematic, and compelling.
The world premiere of the entire series took place on December 13, 1946, with Franz Andre conducting the Brussels Radio Orchestra. The work has largely been overlooked in the U.S. performing repertoire, and Charles Koechlin has the dubious honor of being the most neglected composer of his generation.
For the Carnegie Hall performance, the Symphony may collaborate with vocal artists and groups in the greater New York City area. The program will be a cornerstone of the 2012-13 season programming for our orchestra, showcase the artistic versatility and quality of the musicians, and align with the artistic strengths and desires of the Music Director.
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This is an intriguing, sophisticated, and seldom-heard work. It's a blend of the challenging and the accessible, and appeals to listeners of varied tastes. No "Bare Necessities" here!
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Excellent Program. Very innovative, honoring a much neglected French composer
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What an intriguing program! I've not yet heard a live performance of any of Charles Koechlin's compositions, although I've been captivated by recordings of many of his works, including the monumental La Livre de la Jungle. This program might inspire a Koechlin revival!
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Koechlin was enormously prolific but seldom heard. He was highly eclectic in inspiration (nature, astronomy,etc.) and musical technique, but the expressive core of his language remained distinct from his contemporaries. It is high time to reintroduce his works to the american public.
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I have heard a couple of these tone poems before. The idea of an entire program around this neglected composer is particularly innovative given the span of years over which these pieces were written. I would certainly be interested in a total immersion" in the jungle" to highlight the evolution of Koechlin's music throughout this period. Bravo!
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Of all the programs listed, this one seems the most varied and intriguing. It gets my vote!
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This Koechlin program is among the most exotic of the 25 programs submitted and
would certainly be a discovery for a New York City showcase.
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Rudyard Kipling- awesome!
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This program shows an exciting committment to lesser known music well worth performing. Audiences deserve more opportunities to hear this caliber of composer and composition. Bravo! Bravo!
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Quite a fascinating program and concept, especially for those of us who may only know the Disney version of the story and music.
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What an awesome program this will be! A great opportunity for a large audience to hear Koechlin's work.
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This is the kind of program that makes New York the cultural capital of the world.
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Those program looks amazing!!!
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This is the kind of program that I would go to see!
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Read the book when I was little and love the Disney movie version. Took French in high school and college. Would love to see this done, even without the Bear Necessities. Carnegie Hall would just put it over the top.
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This would be an interesting concert that would also be very family friendly!
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I like the way this program opens classical music to a wider audience by including some familiar tunes that all ages can enjoy!
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An irresistable program choice!
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This would be a rare opportunity to experience an innovative and much-neglected work of broad appeal.
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I think that the presentation of a major symphonic work with a qualified chorus would provide a much needed, and in my opinion, a great variety to all 6 groups being instrumental. This program would be a challenge for most any group to prepare – I think we need to give the opportunity for that to happen.
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What a treat it would be to hear this performed!
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What a privilege to live so near to Columbus Ohio where there is an outstanding accomplished symphonic choir and orchestra. Every performance I have seen thus far has been exciting and fulfilling.
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Excellent choice. This concert offers the opportunity to hear an unknown masterpiece – from a student of Faure and a teacher of Poulenc.
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I would love to go to this concert. It is music that I have not heard live, whereas some of the other programmes have selections that are performed often.
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This program presents interesting content – challenging and exciting for all levels of symphony music lovers!
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very excited about this program. Would love to hear it….
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Nice looking program and I like the idea of collaborating with local artists.
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