jmc's classics
I went to another SLSO concert on March 11. I decided at the last minute to go. The program included only two works: Beethoven's First Piano Concerto (Opus #15) and Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony (Opus #64). Beethoven wrote five piano concerti. These two woks don't have much in common. The Alpine Symphony is actually a tone pome. Richard Strauss wrote Symphonia Domestica (Opus #53) Or Domestic Symphony which could actually be considered also a tome pome. he also wrote two early symphonies of which I can not find very many recordings of. I like his Violin Concerto (opus#8) which dates from 1881. Also I can't find very many recordings of this work available.
The conductor was Steven Deneve a Frenchman who is currently the chief conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic stephanedeneve.com. The pianist was Steven Osborne who is a British pianist. Stevenosborn.co.uk is his personal web site. Both are named Steven and born in the year 1971. Mr. Deneve explained the movements of the Alpine Symphony. This work makes use of Wagner Tubs, Cowbells and other instruments that may not be associate with an orchestra. It lasts a little under an hour and is split in to 22 movements most of which are about the same length. The Beethoven Piano Concerto is about 35 minutes in length. It is in three movements. I especially like the third movement of this work. both Deneve and Osborne have international reputations. the Beethoven Piano Concerto dates from 1796-97 and is actually his third attempt at a piano concerto but the first one to be published. It has influences both Haydn and Mozart both of whom Beethoven had met. The second movement is more elleggant and surreal. I like the third movement (ondo; Allegro scherzando). In my opinion, it is the best part. Beethoven's Most famous work is the Fifth Piano Concerto. Theso-called "Emperoror" Concerto (Opus #73) Which was one of the first classicl music compoisititons that I had heard of. My parents had a 33rpm of it. The second part of the programe was Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony "Eine Alpensinfonie" Which was written in 1915. The frist recordings of it date from 1925. It is devided in to twenty two parts. Begenis and ends with Night "Nacht". This piece was inspired by Richard Strauss' love of nature. he may have had influence form trip(s) to the Alps and climbing journeys. Richard Strauss was born and raised in Munich which is in the Alps. The title of the Fifth "Emperor" was originally intended to be dedicated to Napoleon but Beethoven withdrew the dedication because he thought that Napoleon was a tyrant.
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I went to a Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra concert this past Sunday. The only composer was Johan Sebastian Bach. they played his orchestral suites. His third suite(BWV 1068) is probably is most famous. the second movement is the famous "Air on a G String" he wrote four suites all together they were written between 1717 and 1738. These works along with the Brandenburg Concertos may be the easiest of Bach's music to listen to for beginners. Air on a G String along with Sheep May Safely Graze and Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring are among Bach's most famous works.
These pieces of music were originally called "overtures". They all have several movements to them. an overture is usually one movement. It is an opening to an opera or other large work. The first part of the word "Overture" means opening. In Classical music of Jazz Music the word "Suite" can have many meanings. since the 19th Century it means a smaller piece of music that is part of a bigger piece such as the Nutcracker Suit from the Ballet. It can mean several short pieces of a larger piece in the same key. These are some very popular pieces by Bach. They have been used by Hollywood in various movies and TV shows "The Bachelorette" from 2012 and Chasing Butterflies from 2009. Bach's music is often used by Hollywood. The Orchestral Suites are not to be confused with the French Suites of English Suites. They were written for harpsicord. I am not familiar with the English or French Suites. I am not in to solo harpsicord music. The harpsicord is a musical instrument similar to the piano that was popular in the Baroque period. In 1940 Jazz/Big Band leader Artie Shaw used a harpsicord in the song "Special Delivery Stop" as I have stated I also like Jazz, Big Band and Swing music. During Lent and Holy Week I like to listen to Johan Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew's Passion (BWV 244) and St. John's Passion (BWV245). they tell their respective evangelist's account of the passion and crucifixion of Christ. Other composers have written similar works but none are as famous as those of Bach. Handle wrote a St. Joh's Passion. However some scholars consider it to be the work of George Bohm (1661-1733) . Polish composer Kristoph Penderecki (born 1933) wrote a St. Luke's Passion. But none are as famous as those of Bach.
Bach was one of the greatest musical geniuses of the last millennium. He came from a musical family. Three of his sons became famous composers in their own right. Bach was born in 1685 the same year as Handle and Scarlatti. He died in 1850. His works are Cataloged by the BWV number instead of Opus numbers. His most famous works are his Brandenburg Concertos, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, sheep May safely Graze, Goldberg Variations. He was a Lutheran and wrote a lot of religious music for the Lutheran Church. He lived a century after the Protestant Reformation when the Catholic and Protestant churches separated. After he died his music was almost forgotten. Felix Mendelssohn found some of his manuscripts and helped to revive his music in the 1820's. Beethoven and Mozart were also fans of Bach's music. There are many excellent recordings of both works. Otto Klemperer, who was Jewish recorded St. Matthews Passion. This work is still available Klemperer's son Actor Werner Klemperer played as Colonel Klink in the late 60's early 70's show Hogan's Heroes. I have one recording of St. John's Passion. It is of with the Gewandausorchester Leipzig with Gunther Ramin. I have two copies of St. Matthwe's Passion. One in German with the Vienna Philharmonic and William Furtwangler. I have one in English with Ralph Vaughan-Williams conducting. Both are older recordings from the 50's before digital recording. Furtwangler (1886-1954) had a lot of controversies because of his involvement with the Nazi regime. he also tried to help the Jews that he had worked with. It would take too long to talk about it. Vaughan-Williams (1872-1958)was more known as a composer than a conductor. Both are long works and take over two hours in length. They call for orchestra Chorus, soloists and sometime use a children's choir. |
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