Jim's Classical Music

Beethoven violin and piano

2012-02-13T21:40:56Z

A fellow Beethoven lover sent me this email:

Howdy Jim,

Here’s another one for the beauty competition – Beethoven Sonata for Piano & Violin No 5 / 2nd movement.

OK Ian … here it is!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Help!

2012-01-16T21:41:42Z

Please help me to identify this piece of music. (click on: Comment on Help! … just below the title Help)

Thanks,

Jim

Click here to view the embedded video.

In Praise of Haydn

2011-12-27T07:00:21Z

This is from a review of Haydn’s piano trios on Amazon.

In a letter Brahms says something to the effect `Nobody seems to understand Haydn nowadays. For years he gave us all our music’. Whatever precisely Brahms meant, it seems to me that the complete transformation in the idiom of music that made the music of Mozart and everyone since so astoundingly different from the music of Bach was Haydn’s achievement, and his alone.

What Brahms wrote – … ‘he gave us all our music’ – seems to imply what a huge trans-formative influence he had on the great Classical composers who followed.

Here’s a piece I’ve just been listening to. It floats my boat! Hope it does yours too.

Horn Concerto #1 / second movement

Click here to view the embedded video.

Medtner for Ben

2011-12-27T01:51:54Z

This is the first appearance of Nikolai Medtner (b 1880 – d1951) on this site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Medtner

My cyber friend and spiritual comrade Ben, in California, urged me to investigate his music. Since he was admired by Rachmaninoff (and actually collaborated with him) I was motivated to find and listen to more (I had only one piece by him in my library) After listening to a number of pieces I’ll stick with his buddy Rachmaninoff, when I want that Russian melancholy, wistful and nostalgic stuff! They do sound very close in the overall mood they generate.

Forgotten Melodies op38 (1) Sonata-Reminiscenza- Allegretto tranquillo

Click here to view the embedded video.

This Dilettante!

2011-12-27T01:55:18Z

As a self confessed Classical Music dilettante I continue to discover large gaps in my ‘knowledge-base’ The one I found the other day was so big you could drive a Queensland road train through it!

My brother in law, with whom I frequently discuss music, casually mentioned John Field (b1782 – d1837) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Field_%28composer%29

To discover that he studied with Clementi, collaborated with Hummel, Chopin admired his nocturnes and Liszt made a fuss about them too; was just another small humiliation for this dilettante, not having heard his music before.

Here’s part of what Liszt said, None have quite attained to these vague eolian harmonies, these half-formed sighs floating through the air, softly lamenting and dissolved in delicious melancholy. Nobody has even attempted this peculiar style, and especially none of those who heard Field play himself, or rather who heard him dream his music in moments when he entirely abandoned himself to his inspiration.

Bottom line: These piano pieces are very easy on the ears. Simpler in their construction than Liszt or Chopin, but certainly charming and appealing. The strong ostinato element in the pieces makes me wonder if modern minimalist composers of the ilk of Phillip Glass may not have found inspiration here.

*In music, an ostinato (derived from Italian: “stubborn”, compare English: obstinate) is a motif or phrase, which is persistently repeated in the same musical voice. An ostinato is always a succession of equal sounds, wherein each note always has the same weight or stress. The repeating idea may be a rhythmic pattern, part of a tune, or a complete melody in itself.^[1]

Here are his nocturnes 1 – 7 (about 28 minutes worth)

Click here to view the embedded video.

And Again! Bach

2011-11-07T23:06:59Z

I purposely did not do any research for this post; deciding not to read what the critics had to say about the Brandenburg Concertos. I think you only need an ear (or two) and a heart to appreciate how great they are!

Brandenburg Concertos #1 and 2 (about 28 minutes)

Click here to view the embedded video.

More Bach

2011-11-05T01:51:15Z

As promised!

Here’s the Suite number 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 the Ouverture

Click here to view the embedded video.

Faure Nocturnes

2011-10-28T07:02:25Z

The French composer Gabriel Faure (1845-1924) was one of the foremost French composers of his time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Faur%C3%A9

Here are a couple of his beautiful piano nocturnes.

We’re sitting in a piano bar way-station nibbling tasty hor dourves and watching the runway. The room is full of cultured wealthy philanthropists and spiritual seekers; awaiting the shuttle flight to Heaven: Level 3/room 16

Nocturne # 4

Click here to view the embedded video.

Nocturne #3

Click here to view the embedded video.

Not enough Bach

2011-09-22T03:56:47Z

In my ongoing musical education J.S. Bach somehow got sidelined. This was due to several factors: Extensive research into the piano masters of the past (especially as regards Chopin interpretations) A focus on wind instruments, fairly in-depth investigations of Haydn and Brahms; and most recently an obsession with Beethoven.

Even 5 or 6 years ago when I began my Classical Music Quest I glossed over Bach. I’ll try to include more of his music on this site in the future.

Concerto #4 in A major for Oboe D’Amore and Strings

Click here to view the embedded video.

Beethoven Cello and Piano

2011-09-17T08:58:27Z

The following quote is from an article by cellist Steven Isserlis titled, ‘How I fell in love with Ludwig.’ Here’s the link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/jan/12/classicalmusicandopera

In the article he comments on this second movement: The last sonata, in D major, takes off in other new directions. After the dramatic opening movement, Beethoven gives us, for the first time in these works, a full slow movement, a prayer that must surely be the most beautiful movement ever written for cello and piano.

‘the most beautiful movement ever written for cello and piano’ Wow. And that’s praise from a guy who plays the cello.

Beethoven’s 5th (and last) Cello Sonata in D maj. / second movement

Click here to view the embedded video.