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Showing posts from February, 2021

Antonín Dvořák - Famous works

The first page of Symphony No. 9 "From the New World ", signed by the composer. The notes on the left show the oldest works with their dates, which Dvorak merged to create his masterpiece. For Orchestra: Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 & Op. 72 Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22 Concertos:  Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Chamber Music: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 "American" Symphonies: No. 1 in C minor "The Bells of Zlonice" No. 2 in B♭ Major No. 3 in C Major, Op. 32 No. 4 in D minor No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76 No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60 No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 No. 9 in E minor "From the New World", Op. 95 Operas: The Devil and Kate, Op. 112 Rusalka, Op. 114 Armida, Op. 115 Choral Music: Stabat Mater, Op. 58

Saint-Saëns - Allegro Animato, op.167 from the Clarinet Sonata in E flat Major

The Clarinet Sonata is one of three wooden wind sonatas written by the composer in 1921, the last year of his life. The other two are for oboe and bassoon. All three sonatas show Saint-Saëns's growing preference for more delicate, kinder texture and sound. Camille Saint-Saëns intended to write a second series of wooden wind sonatas on his holiday in Algiers in 1921, but died before they began their composition. Allegro Animato 's lively opening melody is indicative of the light and playful mood of the piece. The clarinet is clearly the soloist here, while the piano provides accompaniment with melodic harmonies and occasional counterphrase. Later, Saint-Saëns incorporates anoding and unusual leaps into the melody, but that doesn't bother the comfortable flow of music at all, where the previous themes are re-heard and the part ends with a politely up-and-coming harp of the clarinet.

Georges Bizet - L’ Arlésienne, Suite No. 1

Page from the manuscript of the composition of Bizet  L' Arlesienne . In 1872 Bizet wrote the stage music for a work of love and tragedy in rural Provence, written by Alphonse Daudet. Based on a true story, he refers to two brothers: Fréderi , who is in love with a girl from Arles, and L’Innocent , his mentally retarded brother, who miraculously regains his intelligence after his brother's death. The play was not very successful and a month after its first presentation, Bizet created this four-part suite for a concert. Music immediately became popular and is the form in which L’ Arlésienne is heard today. Movements : I. Prélude, Allegro deciso The Prelude to this tragic drama begins with an old Provenian march played by strings and woodwinds, first separately and then in unisono. Here are three variations of the theme, before the entire orchestra plays this lively march in its original form. The second part is slow, strangely excruciating and low-key serene. This is the musi...

Antonín Dvořák - Introduction

Although the founder of the Czech national music school was Bedřich Smetana , it was Antonín Leopold Dvořák who tossed the inexhaustible wealth of the musical tradition of bohemian land throughout the Western world. His compositions are dominated by a happy combination of academic rules, instinctive technique and folk sound colors. An excellent recipient of every useful influence, the composer effectively assimilated and exploited creatively all the musical stimuli he received, either as a diligent student or as a nostalgic traveler. Following the orders of emotion rather than logic, Dvořák composed music that is sincere, spontaneous that often reflects the smile of ordinary people, without, however, disregarding the sensitivity and needs of genuine and demanding friend. A bridgemaker between folk and scholar, skillful in the application of the teachings of classical education, he completed work miraculous in variety, quality and purity. His peaceful life and emotionally balanced, all...

Chopin - Étude Op. 10, No. 12 in C minor, "Revolutionary Étude"

The "Revolutionary" etude was composed after Chopin was informed that the 1831 Polish uprising had been crushed by the Russian troops. It has been said about Chopin's Etudes that "they are as inaccessible to the musician without virtuosity as they are to the virtuoso without musicality". Certainly the "Revolutionary" Etude pushes the pianist to his limits. But the technical complexity doesn't overshadow the musical flood for a moment. Above the troubled part of the left hand, emotion and melody cross the storm like the unruly boat at the top of the wave. Chopin designed this piece as a piano exercise or an etude for the left hand. All the 12 Etudes of Opus 10 are influenced by violinist Nikolo Paganini and pianist Franz Liszt and are dedicated to the latter.