Discovery Music | CBW 30

3. Symphony in G major, op. 11 no. 1 by Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

This week includes only works by composers I’ve never heard of before, and we’re starting it with Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an 18th century mixed-race, out of wedlock classical composer from the French colony of Guadalupe who was the conductor of the symphony orchestra in Paris.… Read more

rite-of-spring

A fest of claviers and pagan rituals | CBW22

3. French Suite no. 5 in G major, BWV 816 by Johann Sebastian Bach

This is the fifth French suite written by Bach for harpsichord in the 1720s’. Their purpose was for teaching, being practice pieces which have some complexity without being over demanding at the same time. This is most likely the reason why they were never published by Bach, keeping them for his private use as they weren’t particularly intricate or meaningful enough to present them at court.… Read more

Theorbo

Lute trumps piano | CBW20

4. Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) by Gustav Mahler
 The song of sorrow shall ring laughingly in your soul.
When the sorrow comes, blasted lie the gardens of the soul,
wither and perish joy and singing.
Dark is life, dark is death!
[…]
The heavens are ever blue and the Earth
shall stand sure, and blossom in the spring.
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Beethoven

One caprice and the knock of destiny | CBW 17

2. “Caprice in A minor, op. 1 no. 24” by Niccolo Paganini

A rather disappointing week, as I’ve enjoyed only two musical bits, to be indulgent with this particular work at no. 2. The 24 Caprices by Niccolo Paganini are notorious for their difficulty, as they explore different violin skills. Among them, the 24th one is the most difficult piece, which is why it’s so difficult to find a version that’s not scratching your ears out or that’s technically correct but avoids that mechanical and sterile sound.… Read more

3 Pianos and a Violin | CBW14

Honourable mention: “Symphony no. 3” by Henryk Górecki

Also known as the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, this work got Henryk Gorecki in the attention of the wide public, being before then known only to a restricted circle of 20th century modern music connoisseurs. Despite having sold over a million copies, it remains a controversial work, being loved by the public and rather dismissed by critics.… Read more

Pianos, Trumpets and Prokofiev | CBW10

Honourable mention: “Concerto for two trumpets in C major, RV 537” by Antonio Vivaldi

We begin the week with one of the greatest names of the Baroque era, namely Antonio Vivaldi. He was a very prolific composer, having composed more than 500 concertos, several sacred works and over forty operas. Out of the 500, forty are for two instruments.… Read more

Emotional Rollercoaster | CBW04

This week’s honourable mention is “Clarinet Concerto no. 1 in F major, op. 73” by Carl Maria von Weber, a German composer of the Romantic school. This piece is one of great importance in the clarinet repertoire, being representative of the range and achievements one can reach with this instrument. The third movement is especially joyful and fun, a great one to play to children and introduce them to classical music.

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