Who cares that Hollywood was cluey enough to use it. That doesn’t detract one iota from this Masterpiece. After how many listenings? … does it still raise goosebumbs!
Thus Spake Zarathustra- Einleitung (Introduction)
Composed in 1896 by Richard Strauss (11 June 1864 – 8 September 1949)
Strauss Zarathustra
Here’s what a music reviewer wrote about this late piano piece by Schubert:
I find it hard to account for the intensity of the spiritual response that the slow movements of late Beethoven and late Schubert produce in me… the slow movement of D960, one of the last creations of a desperately ill 31-year-old-man who has lost his Catholic faith, is frightened out of his wits by the ordeal that lies ahead, and yet produces music of the most magical serenity.
Piano sonata #21 D960/ second movement
And this second piece with its ‘inherent weirdness.’ It fascinates me how accu
rate, poetic and articulate some music critics can be!
In the great Andantino movement of the A major, the pianist is alive to its inherent weirdness as Schubert sends a nostalgically beautiful melody off the deep end to fragmentation, then reassembles it into a broken shadow of itself.
Piano sonata #20 in A major second movement
Schubert PS 20 second movement
Here is a comment I just received today.
I recently found your website and have been listening to and enjoying some of your selections. Unlike most other genres of music it seems to be difficult to find classical music on the web without having to pay for the privilege. So your endeavours are much appreciated. It saddened me somewhat to read your “Opera Apology”. Although I’m not an avid fan of opera, it seems to me that you are missing out on so much beautiful music. I put my thinking cap on and thought if “The Evening Prayer” from Humperdink’s opera Hansel and Gretel doesn’t move you then you really must have a very deep phobia.
Here is the uTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Fr3I4fUAo
No Comment I say! Up to you dear listener. It’s your site!
This website was built and passionately maintained by Jim Migdoll. 1948 – 2018.
Although he has now gone off on to divine adventures, his friends and family are very keen to keep this site up in Jim’s memory, and for the pleasure of others.
Please continue to enjoy the music Jim loved, and was so happy to share.
Select your own favorite composers, genres and individual musical selection: Then listen/download for free. No joining or registration. My hope is that this site will provide a broad introduction to ‘newbies’ – and that real aficionados of Classical music will find plenty of interest too.
One of the best features of the site is the Long Playing selections.
They allow you to listen uninterrupted to 25 – 70 minutes of music. You can find them on the side menu under Blog Titles (Long Playing); or at the top bar in LP’s: But just to be sure… I’ve put the link right here in front of your nose! http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/?page_id=2744
Re: Comments and requests: I love to get them! Simply click on the title of the piece which will take you to the web page where you can leave a comment.
In my ongoing research into composers I hadn’t been exposed to Carl Stamitz (1745 – 1801) http://www.answers.com/topic/carl-stamitz
As I listened to a number of pieces, the phrase “Easy Listening” came to mind. It is easy to listen to! And then I began to wonder: What separates him from his great contemporaries (Mozart, Haydn and Hummel etc.) ? Why is he a “lightweight?” Althought the melodies and musicality are there, what keeps the music from being profound or inspired? Would a few touches of complexity in the midst of his simplistic composition elevate it to greatness? An inspired background counterpoint? Why couldn’t he do it?
(* Sorry … these are just the ramblings of a Classical dilettante!)
3 pieces lasting about 12.5 minutes
Orchestral quartet in G major 2nd movement
Concerto for 2 clarinets #4 in B flat major 3rd movement
Cello concerto no. 1 in G major Romance
Stamitz