jmc's classics
This is the anniversary of when Mendelssohn began writing his Scottish Symphony. Aka Symphony #3 (Opus #56). It was inspired by a visit to Scotland . he visited many historic sites in Scotland. He visited the castle of Mary queen of Scotts Which inspired him to write this work. He wrote An Italian Symphony # 4 (Opus#90) These are his two most popular symphonies. he wrote 13 symphonies for string orchestra which are not as popular. He also wrote Songs with out words which I don't know much about. the Scottish Symphony did not have its premier until 1843. And it was dedicated to Queen Victoria. She evidently was a fan of his music. He was German. This work also has Scottish folk melodies in it. Especially the last movement. The First movement has influence of Haydn in it. it is in four movements.
Mendelssohn also wrote the Hebrides overture or Fingal's Cave (Opus#26) which was inspired to his trip to Scotland. I am not familiar with this work. It is considered to be an eaarly tone pome. Another German who wrote a Scottish work is Max Bruch (1838-1920). his Scottish Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra ( Opus#46) . It is based on Scottish folk melodies. It is in five movements. He is mainly remembered today for his First Violin Concerto (Opus#26) He wrote two other violin concertos which are not as popular. I have a copy of both on one CD. It is of Leonard Slatkin conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Cho-Liang Lin as the soloist on the Sony label. I am not sure if it is still in print. A lot of Scottish and Scotch-Irish settled in early America. Many settled in Appalachia. This is where Country Music originated. It comes form some of the folk melodies of that area. And much of it does have Scottish influence in it. There is much written about the origins of country music. I am not much in to the genre of music.
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July 23 was the Birthday of Sweedish composer Franz Berwald (1796-1868) He was aa year older than Schubert but outlived him by 41 Years. Schubert was also named Franz. The name Franz is a form of the name Francis. Berwald is not as well known among non classical music fans but he deserves some recognition. When we think of Swedish music ABBA comes to mind. I do like some of their music. Berwald was a fourth generation musical. He was remotely of German origin. He had also worked as an orthopedic surgeon and as a glass blower. Franz Liszt was also impressed by Berwald. Liszt (1811-1886) was of Hungarian origin. I have some CDs of his but I am not familiar with his works. For most people Swedish music begins and ends with ABBA. There are many other excellent Swedish composers. Sweden has also produced some excellent opera singers. The greatest was tenor Juisi Bjorling (1911-1960)
I have found about 39 CDs of Franz Berwald listed on on Arkiv music. He wrote four numbered symphonies. I have Cds of his Second in D major , His Third in C major and his fourth in E flat. the SEcond is in three movements instead of four. It is coupled with his Violin Concerto. This is on the Bongiovanni Label. It has the Orchestra Sinfonica Di Sassari with Roberto Tigani conducting. Bongiovanni is an Italian Label. I am not familiar with this label. The Third and Fourth are on the Deutsche Grammophon Label. It has the Berlin Philharmonic with Igor Markevitch conducting. I also have a Cd of his three string quartets. It features the Yggdrasil Quartet on the BIS label. The Yggdrasil quartet and BIS are based in Sweden. Berwald also wrote a Concerto for two violins. He wrote numerous other works. In adition to his four numbered symphonies, he wrote an un-numbered Symphony in A. I have only seen one CD of this available. I don't know much about it. There is a possibility that it may have only recently been discovered. The music of Berwald needs to be listened to. Like his other contemporaries. I think that if you like Schubert or Liszt you would like Berwald Things are starting to open up again. At least for now. I hope that the St. Louis Symphony concerts go on as usual. COVID Delta is making a come back.. People should get vaccinated for this thing.
I have seen an article on Yourclassical.org that some churches are doing "Christmas in July" because of the lockdown. Many churches missed Christmas and Easter. On the cable music channel that plays seasonal music, they are playing christmas music as part of Christmas in July. |
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