Viktor Hartmann’s sketch of unhatched canary chicks for a ballet called Trilby or The Demon of the Heath made its way, in musical form, into Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (1874). While written originally for piano, I suspect many of us were introduced to the work through Ravel’s orchestration. From that perspective, listening to the original piano version offers several orders of revelation. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Sergei Prokofiev
“Less Is More” with Telemann, Debussy, Kodály, Anzoletti, Prokofiev, Berio, and . . .
The Great Composers Appreciation Society has been listening to music on the theme of “Less Is More” this month (4/15-5/14/15). The main selections for the month, chosen with typical perspicacity by our helmsman, Brian Long, include:
J. S Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009 (1720?) (More information here.)
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No.45 in F-sharp minor, Hob.I:45 (“Farewell”) (1772) (More information here.)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Duo for violin & viola No. 1 in G major, K. 423 (1783) (More information here.)
Claude Debussy: Syrinx (1913) (See below for more information.)
Edgar Varèse: Density 21.5 (1936, rev. 1946) (More information here.)
Anton Webern: 5 pieces for orchestra op. 10 (1913) (More information here.)
Benjamin Britten: Cello Suite No. 3, op. 87 (1971) (More information here.)
Luciano Berio: Sequenzas 3 (for voice, 1965) and 5 (for trombone, 1966) (See below for more information.) Continue reading
My Year in Music, 2014
I’ve had a particularly memorable “year in music” this year. While I’ve listed a “Prufrock’s Dozen” of CDs, this year-end post isn’t a “best of” list in the usual sense, but rather an opportunity to gather together the “best of” my musical experiences throughout the year. The post is divided into three sections: A “Prufrock’s Dozen” of CDs, Live Performances, and Other Significant Music-Related Activities. Continue reading
Short Takes: Spring Profusion, with Prokofiev
Spring here remains behind schedule, but it’s coming on . . . (Photographs are of Riverside Park, New York City April 21, 2014; for comparison, click here and here.) Continue reading
Short Takes: Central Park Conservatory, Early Spring
Finally, a different sort of white. Finally, spring begins. Continue reading