February is the shortest month of the year. That fact inspired #ClassicsaDay team (of which I’m a member) to make short classical pieces the theme for the month. The challenge is to select stand-alone works, not movements of larger pieces. Participants post links to short classical pieces in the social media channel of their choice, […]
Jean Sibelius
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#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalWinter Week 2
For January 2019, #ClassicsaDay went with a winter theme. December’s theme, #ClassicalChristmas centered around sacred works of the season. #ClassicalWinter is about sharing secular compositions. that have a snow or winter theme. Here are my Classical Winter posts for the second week of January. Ralph Vaughan William – Scott of the Antarctic (soundtrack) This 1948 […]
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Charlottesville Symphony combines the unusual and the inspired
Two things I really enjoy in a concert: unusual repertoire, and inspired performances. I enjoyed both in the opening concert for the Charlottesville Symphony. York Bowen’s Concerto in C minor for Viola and Orchestra constituted the unusual. Viola concertos are relatively rare, and British composer Bowen is seldom heard on this side of the Atlantic. […]
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Sibelius Reissued in Superior Sound
On Dec. 8, 1957, a concert was held at Carnegie Hall in New York to commemorate the life and works of Jean Sibelius, who had recently died. Performing were members of the New York Philharmonic, Martti Similä conducting, and the great Swedish tenor Jussi Björling. The repertoire was the Symphony No. 4 in A minor, […]
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Jean Sibelius: Scaramouche, Op. 71
Leif Segerstam’s traversal of Sibelius’ orchestral scores has been a real treat for me. While I was familiar with the big hits (the symphonies, the Karelia Suite, the violin concerto, et al), I didn’t have a complete picture of Sibelius’ output, and where those great works fit into it. This series has helped me gain […]
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Sibelius series maintains high standards
This is the fifth installment of Leif Segerstam’s traversal of Sibelius’ orchestral music with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. I’m happy to say that the recording and performance standards remain as high for this volume as they have for the previous four releases. In terms of music, though, I think there’s a slight decline. As beautiful […]
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Jedermann – a rediscovered gem from Sibelius
The latest installment of Naxos’ Sibelius series features a rare and wonderful treasure — the music from Hugo von Hofmannthal’s play “Jedermann.” “Jedermann” is a re-imagining of “Everyman,” a medieval mystery play. The drama is an allegory of original sin and redemption, and Sibelius was inspired by the subject matter as he wrote. Unfortunately, what […]
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Sibelius – Complete Works for Mixed Choir
This two-CD set of Sibelius’ mixed choir works encompasses the composer’s entire career, ranging from student works of the 1880’s to his final choral composition in 1947. The works are in a general chronolical order. The first disc focuses on works written between 1888 and 1902, while the second covers mainly 20th century compositions. Listening […]
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Isserlis Energizes Martinu Sonatas
Steven Isserlis turns in an attractive program of cello music with this new SACD. Bohuslav Martinu wrote in a very distinctive style; one that was remarkably consistent throughout his long and prolific career. Martinu wrote tonal works, but they were his own version of tonality. Dancing syncopation and shimmering chords are Martinu trademarks, and they’re here […]