Piece #50 Symphony No. 5, Mvt. 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4

Ahh the lore that surrounds this piece. What of it is a myth? What of it is true? Scholars will continue to argue and romanticize over the opening of this piece.

Factoids;

• Began in 1804 and completed in 1808.
• Beethoven set aside this symphony to work on Symphony No. 4, his fourth piano concert, and initial editions of Fidelio, the only opera he wrote.
• There is evidence to indicate Beethoven had significant hearing loss in 1801, three years before he began this symphony, and seven before it was completed.

• This work is interesting in the opening motive (dah dah dah dum) serves as the basis for the entire movements.
• It reappears most obviously in the third movement, but occurs in accompanimental figures in movements two and four.

Have fun!

Piece #49 - Opening Sequence of 1776

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOhL2pN1Q0

In honor of opening night of 1776 we have the  opening sequence from the show. I hope you enmjoy it, if you happen to be in Pawling, NY tonight or tomorrow check us out!

Happy Friday!

Piece #48 - American Tune - Paul Simon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE3kKUEY5WU

Factoids:

• This tune is actually taken from Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and less notably in the Christmas Oratorio.
• You may recognize it as O sacred head , or "The Passion Chorale."
• A chorale is essentially a hymn that is a part of a larger work.
• Typically Bach's cantata's, passions, and oratorios (especially the Christmas Oratorio) are loaded with chorales.
• Scholarship suggests that they may have been sung by the congregation int he original performances.
• Have a listen to the Bach version of the same melody:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTLRp2zU3x0

Piece #47 - Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (his recording)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4

Stepping outside the box yet again...here is another one of my favorite pop tunes. I like this one for a different reason - from a musical standpoint, it is very well-crafted.

Factoids:
The text is really fantastic in this piece, but the way Mr. Cohen musically paints it, is even more interesting!
The line "It goes like this the fourth, the fifth" are harmonized with IV and V chords.
The text "the minor fall" - is written using a minor third, and harmonized with a minor vi chord.
The "major lift" is harmonized on a major IV chord.

Interesting music theory info about a great tune!

Have fun!

Piece #46 - Symphony No. 4, mvt 1 - Johannes Brahms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bdv0GaOcBg

Yesterday I spoke about a pop tune I classified as "comfort music," I'd give this movement by Brahms the same distinction. I know that if I have had a miserable day I can listen to this movement and smile.

Factoids:

• This is the last symphony completed by Brahms.
• His first major symphonic work was his famous German Requiem.

• As discussed in the previous excerpt from this piece, Brahms was classified as a more conservative composer for his era.
• He was constantly interested in those working before him, which is especially evident in the final movement of this symphony.
• Brahms was especially fond of the work of Beethoven.
• In his first symphony there is a chorale much like the one in Beethoven's 9th symphony.
• We all know that Beethoven's famous 5th symphony is based on a 4 note cell (bum bum bum bum)
• This movement is based on a 2-note cell (short-long)
• While it's inconclusive, Brahms could have been tipping his hat to Herr Beethoven.

Enjoy!

Piece #45 - Vienna- Billy Joel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0yvjk6mzKE

Time to step outside the box a bit. Here is one of my all-time favorite tunes- You see, I do listen to things other than Brahms...well not much, but here goes!

Opinionoids;
It's funny how songs are especially meaningful at different times in your life. We often associate a tune with a memory. This is a song that has always "spoken to me" although I've connected with different lines during different phases of my life.

I remember going through the struggles of graduate school. My first year in particular, I worked myself to the bone and was having virtually no fun. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, doubting myself, questioning my abilities, and in a general state of tremendous stress. On a Saturday night you could find me in my office working, which usually involved little work and lots of worry.

I can distinctly recall one of those Saturday evenings in 107 Music Building 1. I hadn't listened to anything written after 1900 in months and I played this song. I can still remember laughing as I realized the first verse had become my life. Here is the text:

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

It was shortly after that Saturday evening where things really started to click. Up until that point my life was driven by worry. I was unkind to friends and my girlfriend (she really dealt with the brunt of this), when I wasn't running a rehearsal, I was stressing out about the next one. That pivotal moment made me understand that there were other things that were more important than trying to be the best, and perpetually searching for validity. Oddly enough things really started to click after this realization. I got accepted into some wonderful summer programs, I did well in competitions, and things began to make sense - personally and musically.

I came to this song again during a similar time last October. Without getting too personal, I experienced a tough break up. Fittingly, it happened during one of those "when it rains it pours"  weekends, as within a 24 -hour period I conducted a concert that totally bombed, some students questioned my teaching philosophy, and broken up, as silly as it sounds it seemed like my world was coming to an end.

At this point I sort of wanted to curl up into a hole and escape. Things were difficult with my job, and what I considered the only thing going smoothly - my relationship, ended abruptly after several years. It seemed as though I was at the edge some sort of cliff. How was I to respond?

I remember driving home from New Jersey feeling perplexed, sad, and confused. I wasn't sure what was to happen next. Some people have comfort food, I have comfort music. I turned to Brahms, and Mendelssohn, but I also turned to that Billy Joel tune named after an Austrian city.

As I listened to Vienna in my apartment, endearingly nicknamed, "The Barracks" a different line stuck with me.

You know that when the truth is told

You can get what you want or you can just get old

And it seemed so fitting. I've made it my motto ever since, and things are much better. While I would be lying if I said everything was alright, I am in love with my job, I have wonderful family and friends, and I have a lot to appreciate. It seems so true that life is all about perspective, we aim for what we want or we can "just get old." It's funny that it took a song I had heard 500 times for me to realize that.

Have a good one!

Piece #44 - The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Paul Dukas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChxLGnIwCU

It's hard to separate this piece from Fantasia, even though it was written decades (1897) before the film.


Factoids:
Tone poem inspired by the follow Goethe text:

That old sorcerer has vanished
And for once has gone away!
Spirits called by him, now banished,
My commands shall soon obey.
Every step and saying
That he used, I know,
And with sprites obeying
My arts I will show.

Flow, flow onward Stretches many Spare not any Water rushing, Ever streaming fully downward Toward the pool in current gushing.

Come, old broomstick, you are needed,
Take these rags and wrap them round you!
Long my orders you have heeded,
By my wishes now I've bound you.
Have two legs and stand,
And a head for you.
Run, and in your hand
Hold a bucket too.

Flow, flow onward Stretches many, Spare not any Water rushing, Ever streaming fully downward Toward the pool in current gushing.

See him, toward the shore he's racing
There, he's at the stream already,
Back like lightning he is chasing,
Pouring water fast and steady.
Once again he hastens!
How the water spills,
How the water basins
Brimming full he fills!

Stop now, hear me! Ample measure Of your treasure We have gotten! Ah, I see it, dear me, dear me. Master's word I have forgotten!

Ah, the word with which the master
Makes the broom a broom once more!
Ah, he runs and fetches faster!
Be a broomstick as before!
Ever new the torrents
That by him are fed,
Ah, a hundred currents
Pour upon my head!

No, no longer Can I please him, I will seize him! That is spiteful! My misgivings grow the stronger. What a mien, his eyes how frightful!

Brood of hell, you're not a mortal!
Shall the entire house go under?
Over threshold over portal
Streams of water rush and thunder.
Broom accurst and mean,
Who will have his will,
Stick that you have been,
Once again stand still!

Can I never, Broom, appease you? I will seize you, Hold and whack you, And your ancient wood I'll sever, With a whetted axe I'll crack you.

He returns, more water dragging!
Now I'll throw myself upon you!
Soon, 0 goblin, you'll be sagging.
Crash! The sharp axe has undone you.
What a good blow, truly!
There, he's split, I see.
Hope now rises newly,
And my breathing's free.

Woe betide me! Both halves scurry In a hurry, Rise like towers There beside me. Help me, help, eternal powers!

Off they run, till wet and wetter
Hall and steps immersed are lying.
What a flood that naught can fetter!
Lord and master, hear me crying! -
Ah, he comes excited.
Sir, my need is sore.
Spirits that I've cited
My commands ignore.

"To the lonely Corner, broom! Hear your doom. As a spirit When he wills, your master only Calls you, then 'tis time to hear it."

Piece #43 - Carmen (Overture) - Georges Bizet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQI5LtRtrb0

When discussing the most famous operas of all time, Carmen would certainly be one of the top candidates. It's interesting, I always remember hearing this piece played beneath the fireworks during the July 4th. This is an interesting paradox as this is perhaps the ultimate French opera which takes place in Spain. I also have to laugh when I see the Bertoli (I may have botched the spelling) pasta sauce ads, which is trying to spoof Italian opera while selling their ad, but chooses Habenera from Carmen, which has absolutely nothing to do with Italy.

Factoids:

• Prior to the mid-19th century, the musical material in opera overtures had little to do with the show itself.
• This overture features some of the "highlights" from Carmen including the famous tune Toreador Song.

• Bizet viewed this piece to be his crowning achievement.
• The critics did not agree and it received horrendous reviews.
• Sadly Bizet died roughly two months after the premiere.
• He never lived to see the piece would be regarded as one of the finest operas of all time.

Happy Listening!

Piece #42 - Abendlied - Josef Rheingerger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2UDxgpxq5o

One of my all-time favorites...

Factoids:

• This and the Cantus Mass are the brightest spots in Rheinberger's otherwise understated career.

The piece translates as follows:

• Bide with us, for shadows darken and the day will soon be over.
• Taken from luke 24,29
• This is the same text used for the famous hymn Abide with me.

• In listening to the music you can't help but hear each ray of sunshine disappear.
• The treatment of dissonance and slow static rhythmic make the day linger, allowing the listener to savor each moment of sun.

Have fun!

Piece #41 - Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFH_6DNRCY&feature=related

One of the most famous piano pieces of all time. Although it is a bit overdone, it really is a thing of beauty.

Factoids:
Taken from his Suite bergamasque.
A bergemasque is a type of dance.

The piece is based on the Paul Verlaine poem bearing the same title.
Here is the text:
Your soul is a select landscape
Where charming masqueraders and bergamaskers go
Playing the lute and dancing and almost
Sad beneath their fantastic disguises.
All sing in a minor key
Of victorious love and the opportune life,
They do not seem to believe in their happiness
And their song mingles with the moonlight,
With the still moonlight, sad and beautiful,
That sets the birds dreaming in the trees
And the fountains sobbing in ecstasy,
The tall slender fountains among marble statues.

Have a good one!

Piece #40 - Domine ad adiuvandum (Vespers of 1610) - Claudio Monteverdi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4HiprnyEFU

I am not sure if there is a more exciting piece in the history of music. Without question, there is not a more exciting chorus of one chord, D Major.

Factoids:

• Completed in 1610, this opening is the same as used in his opera L'Orfeo.
• L'Orfeo is considered by some to be the first opera, and without question the first opera still in repertory.

• The Vespers are one of the prayer services in the hours of the divine office.
• Please note that an all-night-vigil a la Rachmaninoff is not the same as Vespers.
• Vespers is an evening prayer service.

Holla!

Piece #39 - But Not For Me - George Gershwin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnfUN6bBAg4

I am proud (and a little embarrassed) to admit that George, my dog, is named after Gershwin. I guess I am not ashamed at all, by now I have fully embraced my dorkiness.

Factoids:

• Originally appeared in Gershwin's musical Girl Crazy.

• This is a wonderfully, poignant feeling of which we all can relate - that of defeated love.
• There is something wonderful and melancholy about this piece, particularly this performance by our dear friend, Ella.

Happy Tuesday!

Piece #38 - St John Passion (opening chorus) - J.S.Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-HurDVEKI

Factoids:

• It is believed that Bach may have composed all four passion stories.
• Manuscripts exist for the Mark Passion, and there is conflicting evidence as to the existence of a Luke setting.
• The most famous of these settings is St. Matthew.
• The Bach Passions are known for their turba choruses.
• In these sections, the choir plays the role of the crowd.

• I can't help but hear the stress and strife in the opening of this piece.
• Bach illustrates this by using extreme dissonances.

Piece # 37 - Singet dem Herrn - J.S. Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w64w5s1HVbM

Factoids:

• This is one of six motets written by Bach.
• A motet is traditionally a sacred non-liturgical piece written in Latin.
• The exception to this rule are the many motets written by German composers such as Brahms, Bach, Mendelssohn etc.

Happy Listening!

Piece #36 - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 - J. S. Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1maDHoAEV0

...and Bach week continues with another one of his greatest hits.

Factoids:

• This is the third of six Brandenberg Concerti.
• They are all dedicated to Christian Ludwig, military leader and margrove of Brandenburg - Schwedt.
• Oddly enough this dedication is without question his greatest claim to fame!

• This particular concerto is scored for strings only.
• The orchestration for the others vary and includse extensive solo sections for trumpet and harpsichord among other instruments.

Enjoy!

Piece #35 - Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3mKkLMzLpc

I will always have fond memories of the Winchester Cathedral as I saw evensong there during the summer of 2007. This was without a doubt a musical memory I will always cherish.

Factoids:

• A chorale taken from Bach's Cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
• A cantata is a multi-movement work featuring arias, duets, choruses, and sinfonias.
• Typically these works were sacred, performed in church as a reflection on the gospel.
• Bach composed hundreds of cantatas, including numerous complete church cycles.
• It's funny to think how far church music has strayed since the days of Bach!

Enjoy!

Piece #34 - Air on the G String - J.S. Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yIcoPrAgvs&feature=fvst

Day 2 of Bachfest! If you have ever been to a wedding, you have probably heard this piece. It seems to be the runner-up in overused wedding music to Pachelbel...bleh :o)

Factoids:
Originally taken from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3

Cheers!

Piece #33 - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - J.S. Bach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Aej0vQJNQA&feature=fvst

Congrats, Bach. You are the all-time champion composer - a title I certainly won't dare contest! When I was sitting down trying to find Bach's "most famous" piece, I realized it was pretty much impossible, no, it IS impossible. So we'll dedicate the next week to the music of Bach. Here goes!

Factoids:

• The title of this work, refers to the formal structure of the piece.
• Many classical pieces are titled by the form or tempo implied by the piece or movement.
• Toccata is a work usually written for organ or harpsichord, and in the case of Bach feature many distinct sections.
• Fugue is a piece based on a theme or subject which has 1 or more other musical ideas that imitate the subject entering at various times.
• While this is probably the most famous piece associated with Bach, some sources wonder if this piece is correctly attributed to the composer.

Snow City!

Piece #32 - Symphony No. 5 - Ludwig van Beethoven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4

Sorry, Beethoven, you weren't number one on the list. Knowing you, I am sure you are disappointed, but you're in good company.

I feel a little weird writing facts about such an iconic piece. I'd like to let the music speak for itself, and I'd be glad to hear your thoughts. This is a recording featuring the man, the legend, Toscanini.

Enjoy!