Thursday, May 31, 2012
Maurice Duruflé
Wikipedia (1840-1893) [French. Modern period.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Requiem: Introit & Kyrie
[The build-up from about 5:30 (starting in earnest right around 6:15) through about 7:00 is enough to make me weep pretty much EVERY TIME.]
Background
There's not much drama in the story of Duruflé... He was an organist and a French composer who mostly wrote piano and organ music. Still, he's probably best known for his Requiem...
Organ Music
Prelude adagio et choral varié
Prelude et fugue sur le nom d'Alain
Chamber Music
Prélude, récitatif et variations
Orchestral Music
Trois Danses Part 1 | Part 2
Choral Music
Quatre motets sur des thèmes grégoriens
Messe Cum Jubilo (first three movements)
Requiem: Introit & Kyrie | Domine Jesu Christe | Sanctus | Pie Jesu | Agnus Dei | Lux Aeterna | Libera Me (This work is on my dork-style bucket list -- works to perform, as part of a choir, before I die. Hence the enthusiasm and links to all movements...)
Monday, May 7, 2012
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Wikipedia (1840-1893) [Russian. Romantic period.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Romeo & Juliet: Love Theme
Background
At a time when most composers were digging in to music of their homelands for inspiration and material, Tchaikovsky stands in stark contrast as a composer rooted strongly in the European tradition. He was criticized in Russia for not being Russian enough, but in retrospect, created his own uniquely Russian style.
Ballet
Classical ballet owes more to Tchaikovsky than to any other composer; his ballet compositions are the world's most frequently performed dance scores...
Swan Lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19oRbhwiWg
Nutcracker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1dMpu4v7M | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8At8zfh_o3E
Sleeping Beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcYwFCNFEo8
Orchestral Music
Romeo and Juliet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2jKeYuPvjM
Piano Concerto no. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItSJ_woWnmk
1812 Overture (finale): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W1Wi2U9sQ
Serenade for Strings (waltz): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SvnT6oVzE
Violin Concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQAWJHITdhg
If you're just gonna listen to one: Romeo & Juliet: Love Theme
Background
At a time when most composers were digging in to music of their homelands for inspiration and material, Tchaikovsky stands in stark contrast as a composer rooted strongly in the European tradition. He was criticized in Russia for not being Russian enough, but in retrospect, created his own uniquely Russian style.
Ballet
Classical ballet owes more to Tchaikovsky than to any other composer; his ballet compositions are the world's most frequently performed dance scores...
Swan Lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19oRbhwiWg
Nutcracker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1dMpu4v7M | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8At8zfh_o3E
Sleeping Beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcYwFCNFEo8
Orchestral Music
Romeo and Juliet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2jKeYuPvjM
Piano Concerto no. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItSJ_woWnmk
1812 Overture (finale): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W1Wi2U9sQ
Serenade for Strings (waltz): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SvnT6oVzE
Violin Concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQAWJHITdhg
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