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Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Everyday (Part 1)

990 replies

MamaNewtNewt · 04/01/2022 15:50

This thread is for the 50 bookers (or in fact anyone else who wants to join in!) who are reading Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Everyday by Clemency Burton-Hill.

The author has selected one piece of music for each day in the year, and includes a brief overview of the piece and the composer to provide some context. There's a playlist on Spotify and we can share links to each piece of music for those without access to Spotify.

I think most of us are planning on (roughly) sticking to the daily setup but feel free to read / listen ahead although the discussions are likely to stay around the music for the current date.

Thanks to @TheTurn0fTheScrew for bringing this book to our attention on the thread. Really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

OP posts:
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 15/02/2022 09:53

CPE Bach: Flute Concerto in A Minor (Allegretto)

I like this piece a lot. It's a lively little number. It's good to hear the flute too; it's always a beautiful instrument to listen to.

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 15/02/2022 08:14

I liked yesterday's but it didn't grab me.

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Welshwabbit · 14/02/2022 21:27

I love this piece - all the movements! If I had to pick, Beethoven is my favourite composer, but Bach runs him a very close second. Everything is just so perfectly in the right place and that really appeals to me (also a huge ABBA fan and there's something Bach-like in the slight variations they put into their successive verse/chorus structures).

Cherryana · 14/02/2022 20:58

Hello everyone new and legendary,

I really loved todays one. I think it has a clarity, beauty and ease that only the truly brilliant could ever create.

AliasGrape · 14/02/2022 20:56

I fell a few days behind.

Liszt - this was lovely, it was indeed very consoling after a rough few days!

Bernstein - what an unexpected treat for this to come up. I’m a huge West Side Story Fan.
Utterly joyous.

Bach - This was lovely. I can’t see quite what Clemency sees in it, but I did enjoy her notes.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 14/02/2022 17:53

Yes, it's fabulous TheTurn0fTheScrew. I love it too.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 14/02/2022 16:26

I am cross that she didn't choose the first movement, which I love to pieces. The second movement is very lovely (big JSB fan generally) but the first movement is a proper banger, with an opening melody that stays with me for days as an ear worm (in a good way).

BestIsWest · 14/02/2022 15:17

Lovely but not one that bowled me over.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 14/02/2022 09:47

Bach: Concerto for Two Violins, Second Movement

I am familiar with this piece already and I think it's lovely. I enjoyed Clemency's notes. An interesting take on it :)

PermanentTemporary · 13/02/2022 22:20

A big catchup from me too. I loved the Allegri Miserere, the Bray Agnus Dei and the Liszt. There wasn't anything I hated but I have to say the Berg is the kind of piece i usually find just sliding over the surface of my brain without any connection. I might listen to it a few times.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 13/02/2022 17:28

rest of the suite

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 13/02/2022 17:28

yesterday's Liszt was charming but not especially memorable.

Loved the Bernstein today. West Side Story is fabulous, and this expansion on the score is so richly layered. I also listened to the reset of the suite (and will be seeing it performed next month).

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 13/02/2022 16:18

I enjoyed today's music. Very energetic and sparkly and made me want to dance (which I'm even worse at than singing Smile). Recently watched the film for the first time and loved it.

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Welshwabbit · 13/02/2022 15:06

Fell off the thread, and have done a mammoth catch up today. Too much in one go so I think I will have to go back and listen properly but I really liked Il cavalier di Spagna (Caccini, 2 February), the Miserere (Allegri, 7 February), the Landi (8 February), and the Liszt (yesterday).

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 13/02/2022 11:14

Yes, it's a toe-tapper :)

BestIsWest · 13/02/2022 10:57

Great fun, toe tapping. I know this one as my parents had the recording - they saw the musical on honeymoon in 1961 and It was a favourite of DMs.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 13/02/2022 10:12

Bernstein: Symphonic Dances (Mambo)

I enjoyed this piece, but more on subsequent listenings than first time round. The opening always gives me a start after the serenity of the Liszt :) It's so loud and discordant! I think Bernstein uses dissonance throughout this piece. It's very well done. Lots of syncopated rhythms too. Altogether, a fun, lively, captivating piece of music. I listened to the other movements of the suite earlier. I skipped over two but I enjoyed the rest.

Mama1980 · 13/02/2022 08:35

Thank you everyone Smile

BestIsWest · 12/02/2022 16:30

Ahh, this is lovely. Soft and gentle and soothing.

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 12/02/2022 13:52

Welcome @Mama1980

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 12/02/2022 13:47

An absolutely beautiful piece of music. Sublime.
I love your descriptions. I see sunshine through raindrops, particularly towards the end .The piece is in a minor key which hives gives it its sad, reflective mood and Liszt changes key very subtly into a major key, only for an instant, weaving in and out from minor to major and back again, giving that dappled effect of light on shadow. Perfect.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 12/02/2022 13:38

@Mama1980

Can we join please? My son loves classical music
Of course! Very welcome :)
Mama1980 · 12/02/2022 13:30

Can we join please? My son loves classical music

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 12/02/2022 13:23

I know what you mean. It made me feel all relaxed and comforted, like a toasty cinnamon bun.

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bibliomania · 12/02/2022 12:25

Liszt 6 Consolations no. 3 in D d flat major

I feel like a child that has just had a hug from its mother.