BACH TO BOULEZ (pronounced 'back' to Boulez)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Music for the atonally challenged
This glorious masterpiece by Schoenberg will NOT hurt your ears!
ENJOY!
Schoenberg's "Suite", opus 29, 1/4
If you love Schoenberg's Serenade, opus 24 as much as I do, this work should present no problems. There are commonalities of instrumentation as well as style of writing. If you don't know either works, do try to give this a hearing.....it is well worth it. Perhaps listen to the third movement....very accesible and great fun!
Bartok's fabulous Piano Concerto no.1
There are times when I listen to this movement that I am reminded of Stravinsky's Renard. It could simply be a matter of his use of ostinati but I hear commonalities between the two works. Renard was composed in 1916 and Barok wrote his Concerto in 1926. I am not accusing Bartok of anything, however I can't help wondering if Stravinsky's work had a greater influence than I previously assumed.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Copland Billy the Kid....Concert Suite 1/3
Perhaps some fun music before the pain that may follow in the next posts that follow! This is great music and especially in the gun battle!
Boulez Pli Selon Pli
A great Twentieth Century masterpiece! It takes a lot of hearings to fully understand Boulez' language, so please be patient!
Boulez Sur Incises
If you appreciate the Piano Concertos of Bartok, you might be better able to understand this late masterpiece by Boulez. Give it a try!
Bartok Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion(3)
Give this wonderful movement from the Sonata for two pianos and percussion a try....very exciting! The Sonata was later re-written as a concerto for two pianos, percussion and orchestra.
It won't hurt your ears!
Bartok Piano Concerto no.2
Lately I have been discovering the Piano Concertos of Bartok. For far too many years I have held these works in low esteem.....but now no more! I have discovered how much I truly love all the works of this great master and these concertos are really quite marvelous! It helps to understand his music from a Hungarian point of view. Common in Hungarian folk music is the use of the whole tone scale(i.e. c-d-e-f#-g#-a#-c) and Bartok took full advantage of this tone row. We are more familiar with our major and minor modes that are made up of eight tones(i.e. c-d-e-f-g-a-b-c[major mode]). Listening to Bartok's music without understanding the whole tone scale will leave the listener rather confused. Though the music sounds dissonant, Bartok never abandoned tonality. Getting to know his music is a very rewarding experience....perhaps the most rewarding of any Twentieth Century composer(with the possible exception being the works of the Second Vienna School[Schoenberg, Webern,Berg]).
Give this music a chance....it will not hurt your ears!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A favourite work by Martinu
This is a favourite work by Martinu.....but then again what Martinu work isn't a favourite!
Martinu Cello Concerto #1/1
I bought a Chandos recording of the Cello Concertos of Martinu. I have come to realize that these are not only my favourite cello concertos but most likely my favourite concertos written by anyone in the 20th century. Glorious music, especially in the second movement of this concerto!
Bartok Piano Concerto #1/1
I once said that the slow movement from this concerto is one of the most ugly pieces of music ever written......well, I'm wrong! I recently bought a recording of all the piano concertos of Bartok performed by Peter Donohoe and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. What a difference a great recording provides in improving an appreciation of this music! This is very exciting music and after a few times listening to this concerto you may agree with me!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Three favourite divinities.....Merman, Russell and Streisand
The following three movie clips are from three of my favourite films of all time. In each film stars three of my favourite divinities. They bring sparkle and wit to life and they do it so absolutely damn great!
I know it's silly but I love it
What a cast! Every comic actor in Hollywood at the time including the divine La Merman, as Cole Porter like to call her. It's silly but this is another of my very favourite films of all time!
Finest courtroom scene ever
"What's Up Doc" is one of my very fav movies of all time. This is the finest courtroom scene ever filmed. Barabra Streisand is absolutely divine!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hamilton Harty's Piano Concerto/1a
Sadly we have another rather unknown Piano Concerto by an English composer. Upon hearing it for the first time, I thought it reminded me of Rachmaninov, stylistically speaking. Many hearings later and I find this to be an original work. Listen to the opening theme and let it carry you away!
Discover and enjoy!
Frank Bridge's Piano Chamber Concerto/1
This is a beautiful and haunting work that sadly should be better known. Do give it a listen to and discover how very rewarding it is to get to know this work.
Discover and enjoy!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Martinu's Symphony 1/1
As a whole, Martinu's Symphonies rank as one of my very favourite cycles of symphonies all time. Many symphonic cycles have good and bad points but the cycles of Martinu and Mahler, to name just two, have only great moments(face it, I'm picky). Every Martinu Symphony is a joy to listen to. This Symphony is however my favourite in the cycle....it is full of joy and delight.
Please listen, discover and enjoy!!
Martinu's Toccata e due Canzoni
Written about the same time Martinu wrote his wonderful and ever popular Fifth Symphony(1946). He wrote five magnificent Piano Concertos and in all but name, this work is also a concerto for piano and orchestra.
Prokofiev's fireworks for the piano....Sonata no.7
I still wish I could play like her because then I.....oh well, you know the story!
Prokofiev's Piano Concerto 3/1
Damn, can she play. I wish I could play like her then I wouldn't be sitting here typing away at this stupid key board. I love this concerto....really exciting!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Schoenberg opus 16/1
This music that really should be known by everybody. It won't hurt your ears as it is quite expressive. Spend some time listening to this work, the rewards are plentiful!
Enjoy!
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Great recording of Piston's Second/1
This is one of the greatest symphonies written by an American! The recording made by Deutsche Grammophon back in the seventies is beyond reproach. It was released coupled with William Schuman's Violin Concerto performed by Paul Zukovsky. They are truly outstanding recordings of both works. Listen to the theme that starts at 2:04....damn, I love this work....great fun!
Please enjoy!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Gade's Seventh.....a Masterpiece
Just listen to this imaginative music from the pen of Niels Gade. This is one of my favourite symphonies of the Romantic Period!
A great Ninth from Denmark
I'll never understand how Langgaard's music is not better known. It is completely accessible and imaginative. I have been told that his music is hardly known in the composer's home country. This music should be better known by everyone who has an interest in Twentieth Century music! Denmark is a remarkable land that has given us Dietrich Buxtehude, Carl Nielsen, Niels Gade, Ludolf Nielsen and Rued Langgaard.
More great music form the pen of Rued Langgaard
As always: ENJOY and discover the music of this remarkable Danish master!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A favourite Sanctus
The Requiem by berlioz has always been my favourite in the genre. Berlioz's work is a loud and bombastic as Faure's is quiet and gentle. The French certainly know how to write Requiems!
Gloriously civilized music!
The Agnus Dei from Faure's Requiem. Words fail to describe such heavenly music.
Enjoy!
Once hated but now loved
Until last week when I bought a CD of this work I basically hated Faure's Requiem. The recording features the full orchestra version of 1900 which I never knew existed. Now I adore the music and especially the Sanctus, Introit and Agnus Dei.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Barbara Pentland......Canada's response to serialism
This may hurt your ears but give it a try. The music is very beautiful if you have the ears and mind to listen for the treasures contained in this masterpiece.
Quebec's Jacques Hetu
I first heard the music of Hetu when I was 16 years old and I had no trouble appreciating his music language. Sadly Hetu passed away recently. His music can be heard by clicking on the link: Canadian Music Centre.
Srul Irving Glick
The music of Srul Irving Glick is another Canadian treasure. His music is a pleasure to listen to and there is no way on earth this will hurt your ears.
Sit back and enjoy!
Healey Willan.....Canada's greatest composer
Willan's contribution to the music of the Anglican communion, both in Canada and worldwide, can not be underestimated. He was master of music at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, in Toronto, for over fifty years until his death in 1968. Besides the incredible amount of church and organ music, Willan also composed a Piano Concerto, two Symphonies, one opera and much more. It has been said that Willan was the dean of Canadian composers.
Maryan Mozetich.....a Canadian classic
Mozetich is a wonderful composer and having heard a lot of his works, I must admit that he is one of Canada's gift to the world of music.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Comic opera?
Langgaard must have been off his rocker to have composed such a ridiculous opera! If only he could have known that the exponents of christianity are the Anti-Christs. Comic opera?....it surely must be! Corny?......YUP!
Music of the Spheres
This clip is of parts 6-9 of this remarkable and very haunting masterpiece by Rued Langgaard. This piece must be heard in it's entirety. Fabulous and immensely rewarding!
If you like Sibelius.......
Aulis Sallinen is a remarkable Finnish composer who has written masterpieces that are quite accessible and at times remind me of Sibelius' Fourth Symphony or Tapiola, stylistically speaking.
Discover!
Another composer to introduce: Roger Sessions
This might hurt your ears but listen to the music of this American master.
Enough relaxation, time to get back to the future
Hear anything familiar? Listen and discover this fascinating work by Luciano Berio!
Lyric Symphony inspires Alban Berg
Alban Berg was so impressed by this work that he took a theme from one of the movements and incorporated it into his "Lyric Suite".
Alexander von Zemlinsky
Alexander von Zemlinsky was a colleague of Gustav Mahler and one of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's teachers. This work is a three movement tone poem and a splendid tonal seascape.
Discover and enjoy!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Behold.....The Sea!
But don't relax too much.....I'm not finished with digging up Twentieth Century masterpieces that might bring pleasure or curl your ears!
Another Vaughan Williams favourite! Buy a recording of the "Sea Symphony"(the composer's first symphony), put it on your MP3 player, find a large body of water and let the music mystify you. Walt Whitman was correct when he wrote of the sea: "timeless, the fibre and the breath".
Something to calm the nerves
If my previous three posts have curled your ears and toes, perhaps some Vaughan Williams will calm you down. This is a personal favourite of mine......very nostalgic and quite glorious!
Relax and enjoy!
Schoenberg's grand opera "Moses and Aaron"
This is grand opera.....twelve-tone style. It might hurt your ears but go on...give it a try! If you have survived both of Berg's operas, you should have no problem with this masterpiece!
Discover and be amazed!
Three masterpieces conducted by Pierre Boulez
This is a long video. What is especially dear to my heart is the "Lulu Suite" by Berg. Whereas "Wozzeck" was not twelve-tone but actually atonal, "Lulu" IS a twelve- tone opera......and trust me, this music will NOT hurt your ears! Stay tuned for a performance of Stravinsky's "Firebird"......it's a blast!
Bodily functions in opera?
Notice that in opera bodily functions are almost never mentioned, with the only exception(that I know of) being Act I scene 4 of Alban Berg's opera "Wozzeck". The doctor goes on and on about how he caught Wozzeck urinating in the street. Almost comical if the story wasn't so bleak and stark.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Mozart by Stravinsky
This is a classical opera written by Stravinsky. I wonder what Mozart would have thought of this great opera.
A Stravinsky favourite!
This is the third movement of the "Dumbarton Oaks" Concerto. The whole work deserves to be heard and I heartily recommend listening to all of it. Great stuff!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
A very fine orchestra in a very beautiful and unbelievably boring city! If it weren't for this fine ensemble, Calgary would be a hick town!
Monday, July 12, 2010
My last post until early August
Time to go visit family and baby-sit a siamese cat in Alberta, while everybody goes on vacation. Actually the cat baby-sits me, if you have any idea what a siamese cat is like.
The Mahler Third
This clip is the latter half of the third movement from Mahler's Third Symphony....this is one of my favourite movements that he ever wrote. Great fun!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Happy belated Birthday Herr Mahler!
It has been so hot recently and I also forgot this past Wednesday to post a commemoration on the 150th birthday of one of my very favourite composers of all time...Gustav Mahler!
Summer heat.....hot and sticky!
I'm a bit late with this clip. I had intended to post it on the Summer Solstice but I forgot. Considering how hot it is this past week, I can attest to the fact that summer is indeed here!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Stravinsky's game of cards
I have recently discovered this masterpiece on a two disc CD with Riccardo Chailly conducting the Royal Concertgebouw. This is a work I really should have known, but sadly I have never spent a lot of time discovering the music of Stravinsky. Shameful, isn't it, that I have not spent more time listening and discovering his works? Stravinsky is one of the greatest of 20th Century originals!
Gurrelieder.....Schoenberg's glorious Tonal masterpiece!
This 20th Century classic is a must hear for those who appreciate post romantic music. Schoenberg's sound world is closely modeled on the Wagnerian leitmotif, with lush orchestral scoring and pleasing melodies. It is a big and glorious masterpiece that must be heard! If you like the Mahler Eighth Symphony, this is a work for you!
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