jmc's classics
Aretha Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti were friends. At the Grammy Awards in 1998 Franklin filled in for Pavarotti and Sang Nessun Dorma. Pavarotti was sick at that time and had a sore throat. Franklin was there and listened to his rehearsal and filled in. I have heard it. It sounded good. Nessun Dorma was from Puccini's Opera Turandot. The opera was not complete at the time of Puccini's death in 1924. This aria was on of Pavarotti's signature songs. This is one of the most famous opera arias. So, pop singers can sing classical and vice versa.
I like some of Franklin's music. I did have one of her 45 RPMs when I was younger. She was referred to as "The Queen of Soul". She also sang gospel music. Franklin was born in Memphis TN but grew up in Buffalo NY and Detroit MI. She began singing in Church choirs and at the age of 18 signed her first recording contract. Some of her more well known songs were "respect" and "You Make me feel like A Natural Woman". She was listed as one the 100 Greatest artists and won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Also, she had appeared in several movies. Detroit Michigan is home to the Motown label which featured black artists. Detroit is called "Motown" because of the auto industry. Memphis had a large number of Blues artists. I wonder why this performance is not as well known. I am surprised that it is not well known. I have just heard about this performance just recently.
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October 12th was the 150th birthday of Ralph Vaughan-Williams (1872-1958). He is remembered because of Greensleeves which has a melody in the Christmas Carol "What child is this?" which is poplar t Christmas. Also, it is similar to the opening music of the TV show Lassie.
One of his greatest contributions was studying and revising English folk songs. His father was an Anglican minister. Through his mother he was related to Charles Darwin. Vaughan-Williams was a student of Maurice Ravel. Although he was Agnostic, he did write a good body of religious work and hymns. Ravel had an influence on him, and Ravel was three years younger. Ravel did not take many new students and was a demanding teacher. Brahms Second Piano Concerto in B flat major (Opus #83) has been a candidate for the greatest Piano Concerto of all time. Some have said that it was his first Piano Concerto in D minor (Opus #15) or some of the ones by Beethoven.
One thing about the Second Piano Concerto that stands out to me is the opening bars or lines of it is that it sounds like the music from Star Wars. I remember in 1977 when it came out. I have never seen that movie or its sequels. This music was written by John Williams who has written other film music. He has conspired with Steven Spielberg and written music for some of his films. I remember classical style music being played on the rock and roll radio. It dates from 1881 and was dedicated to Brahms teacher Edward who played the solo part at its premier that year. It opens with a horn call. the first few minutes reminds me of the Star Wars theme music. I wonder if John Williams was influenced by this music! It was then performed in many other cities throughout Europe. It is in four movements instead of the usual three for a concerto. They are: Allegro non troppo, Allegro appassionato, Andante, and Allegretto grazioso. it lasts about 50 minutes Brahms First piano concerto lasts even longer almost an about and this is in three movements. There are many excellent recordings of this work. The one that I have is of Vladimir Ashkenazi with the London Symphony Orchestra and Zubin Mehta conducting on the London Label which I recommend. As mentioned, I have never been into the Star Wars franchise, but I do like its music and have associated it the Second Piano Concerto. |
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