Hommage à Moyse
Nikka Gershman
On this very day, May 17, 1889, a baby boy was born who forever changed the course of flute history. For many generations of flutists, Marcel Moyse was and remains, without a doubt, the biggest life force and inspiration. Among his students are some of the biggest stars, including Sir James Galway, Carol Wincenc, Trevor Wye, William Bennett, Julia Bogorad, and Paula Robison. Even though I was born a little too late to meet Moyse, I consider him my “flute grandfather” and was lucky to study with most of these legendary flutists. With this in mind, I created a special program for my hero’s birthday. I asked myself what Moyse would play, but also what he would enjoy listening to. It is a range of his favorite pieces and those written by his own teachers. I hope that you’ll feel his presence on this special day.
Program
Doppler: Airs Valaques
Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orpheus
Taffanel: Fantasy on themes from Der Freischütz by Weber
Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, op. 67 — no. 5: “The Shepherd’s Complaint”
Wetzger: Am Waldesbach “By the Brook”
Nikka Gershman, flute
Vivian Fan, piano
Free event