In the past few weeks I’ve had two people tell me that Schubert was their favorite composer.
I can take a hint! Here’s some Schubert that isn’t already on the site. (for more Schubert go to: http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/?cat=44)
just darn pretty!
Arpeggione Sonata Adagio – 2nd movement
does he equal Haydn as a master of “playfulness”?
piano_sonata_in_a_major_d959_3._scherzo._allegro_vivace-oma
Over the years developing this site my brother has been both my strongest critic, and at the same time my most supportive advocate! We’ve spent a lot of time talking about music and I’ve sent him CD’s and a USB flash drive with the music he likes.
These exchanges comparing our musical tastes came to a head the other day after I sent him the Utube link below. He decided that this genre was his musical manna! – Wind – Just the wind instruments. Quartets, quintets, sextets or a whole bunch at once! (Like Mozart’s piece for 13 wind instruments) The use of exclusively wind instruments has an interesting history. The gist of it seems to be that the patrons of the composers in the 17 and 18 hundreds who weren’t filthy rich! .. some of them could only afford to have a little in-house musical group; and they came to be known as Harmonie. At the same time the article notes that some street musicians of the time played in these ‘wind groups.’
Anyway here in order are: The Utube link to a delightful piece by Beethoven. The Wikipedia article and another much more detailed account of Harmoniemusik. (* The next day: An important update) And finally a Long Play selection of all wind lasting an hour and 12 minutes. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtxbEKM3l9E
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonie
A very detailed link about Harmoniemusik
http://www.lipscomb.edu/windbandhistory/RhodesWindBand_04_Classical.htm
* A friend sent me an alternate version for the Mozart Serenade K361 and my brother and I both agree that’s it’s much better. Unfortunately my friend doesn’t know who it is playing! Anyway it will provide a lovely Intro to the long play.
Mozart’s Serenade For Winds K361 third movement
New Wind Instrument Long Play
Playlist: The first 3 movements of Beethoven’s Sextet for 2 clarinets, 2 French horns and 2 Bassoons
Wind quartet in E flat major (andante grazioso) by Anton Reicha. Then Reicha‘s Wind quintet #2 in E flat maj. op 88 IV
Then 4 movements from Mozart’s Serenade for 8 wind instruments in E flat maj. KV 375
Followed by Beethoven’s quintet for Oboe, 3 French horns and Bassoon (all 3 movements)
Finally … Mozart’s Serenade K361 “Gran Partita” for 13 wind instruments: third, fourth, fifth and seventh movements.
Haydn is indeed one of, if not the greatest composers of Piano trios and quartets. I’ve started a quest to collect all of the Trios (45) This second movement of the Piano Trio In E Major H15-28 really captured my attention.
It’s hard to believe this is music from the 1700’s. I can see a super hip basement nightclub in Tokyo or L.A. where 3 talented Jazz musicians are jamming! Haydn was so willing to play around, get experimental and bold. Go places no one had gone before.
Piano Trio In E Major H15-28 – 2 Allegretto
Here is more along the same lines. A snippet from an earlier posting titled: “Heeeer’s Haydn” I just marvel over his willingness to get ‘edgy’ – take chances. I think more so than Mozart or Beethoven. Perhaps it was because he was a well adjusted, happy man! Comfortable in his own skin, unlike so many geniuses!
From the Posting ‘Heeeer’s Haydn’
This first piece is so cool! So Zen. BUT Not for everyone!
The silences are as important as the music … AND you have to wonder: “What’s gonna’ happen next?! Keep in mind this is the 18th century! – not a modern L.A. or Paris jazz pianist.
UPDATE 18 months later: I only heard it now. This is one of those pieces where Glenn Gould would hum along with his piano playing. You can barely hear him in the background (depending on how good your sound system is) I think most recording companies eventually removed the humming!
From the last 6 Sonatas: Hoboken XVI – no. 48 Andante con espressione
Hoboken-xvi-no-48-i-andante-con-espressione
All these years building this web site; and the guitar has been left out. It must be my fault!
The other day at the Visitors’ Information Centre where I volunteer, a lady who is also a volunteer shared her love of Classical guitar with me. Hence I made a couple of Segovia CDs for her, and in the listening realized I like the guitar more than I thought I did. So all of you Classical guitar lovers – please accept my apologies for this belated Posting.
Here’s Andres Segovia playing some Scarlatti and Handel.
Scarlatti and Handel guitar
Scarlatti: Sonata in G major, K. 391/L. 79
Handel: Menuet I and II from: Suite in G Minor, HWV 453
Gavotte in G Major, HWV 491
Minuet in G Major, HWB 531