Karol Rathaus was a preeminent composer of the generation that came of age during and after WWI. The rise of the Nazism interrupted his illustrious career, forcing him out of Germany, and Rathaus ended up in New York, where he became the first professor of composition at the newly founded Queens College.

 

 

Marking the first US performance of Rathaus’ music in many years, “The Orchestra Now” (Bard College) performs a program of his orchestral music with conductor Leon Botstein. The program spans all periods of Rathaus’ creative life – from his earlier days in Berlin, till his later American works – and includes his Symphony #2, Op. 7 (1923), Concerto for piano, op. 45 (1939), Louisville Prelude, Op. 71 (1953), and a Suite based on Rathaus’ music to Habima’s production of “The Merchant of Venice” arranged by Ariel Davydov (Israel/USA).

 

 

The featured soloist of the piano concerto is Polish-Canadian pianist, currently residing in Vienna, Daniel Wnukowski.