Classical Music Choice
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Classical Music Choice Mar/Apr
Written by Dr. Helmut Frehse The Four Last Songs (German: Vier Letzte Lieder) were the final completed works of Richard Strauss (1864 – 1949), ranking among the most haunting music ever written. The songs are “Frühling” (Spring), “September”, “Beim Schlafengehen” (Going to sleep) and “Im Abendrot” (In the glow of Sunset). There is no indication […]
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Winter Classical Music Choice
My recommendation for this period is a personal favourite, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy (Chorfantasie) for piano, chorus and orchestra in C minor. Op. 80. This must rank as one of the most stirring pieces of music that is so typical of the grand master, Beethoven. Surely one of the most remarkable concerts of Beethoven’s career took […]
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Classical Music Oct/Nov
Krommer Oboe Concerto in F Major op 37 and op 52 The Oboe Concerto must surely be one of the most beloved and sadly, all too rarely performed works in a concert. We frequently hear single movements performed on popular radio stations and thank goodness for that and the obvious exposure that results there from. […]
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Classical Music Aug/Sep
Franz Schubert: Quintet for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass in A Major, “The Trout” If there are any readers of this regular slot who are a little wary of Chamber music, here’s the piece to introduce you to a marvellous genre of music. Schubert was a genius as a creator of songs and […]
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Classical Music Choice – July
Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 2 in E minor The composer finished this work and conducted its premiere in 1908. The symphony earned him the Glinka Award ten months later. Reflecting for a moment – it seems extraordinary that the great composer had little confidence in his own ability as a symphonist when he approached the composition […]
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My Classical Music – June
Franz Lehar, Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), lyrics by Victor Leon and Leo Stein. Pontevedro in Paris or, “how much reality does an operetta need?” 1905 was the year of two great premieres, both focussing attention on women of exotic origins and real fascination. Richard Strauss’s Salome and Franz Lehar’s Lustige Witwe. They proceeded […]
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My Classical Music, May
Having been born in the month of May, I somehow feel that this is a special month, deserving of a very special choice of music! Perhaps it will be of no surprise then, when I recommend Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor. For many years this piece has been a firm favourite in our family […]