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

I have always liked this Satie for the reasons that TheTurn mentions.* *

That quartet's version is fabulous altogether. It's very clever, it's brilliant.
I love it. Thanks TheTurn.

Today's piece is Erik Satie: Gymnopédie no. 1
This is so well-known but in my opinion not dimmed by overexposure. It's so still and calm, but there's a crunchiness to the chords that stop it from being saccharine or boring.

If anyone does find it dull or overexposed, please have a listen to this amazing reworking by Stephan Koncz for the string quartet Made in Berlin, which I love even more than the original:

The Harvey didn’t particularly move me. It was nice, interesting to listen to and I’d be happy to hear it again, but can’t say it is a favourite.

I’m still catching up on June, but I think of those I’m up to date with, the Schuman and the Finzi stand out, I also loved Mi Teresita. And of course The Lark Ascending but that was already one I loved (one of the very few I actually was familiar with before starting the book).

Enjoyed the Finzi very much. Interesting to hear the strong baroque nods with the ornamentation on the piano line paired with more modern chords and harmonies. I wasn't bothered about the Harris

My June highlights were Tippett, Strauss, Vaughn Williams, Kapustin, Richter, Tanaka and Finzi.

Song of June: Jonathan Harvey.

An interesting piece of music that could grow on you in time, rather like the David Lang piece earlier this month. I found it useful* *to follow the verse while listening to it. This isn't a favourite of mine, but I appreciate it.

Speaking of favourites, it's the end of the month and it's time for a review!

This time round, the violin featured strongly in my favourites list. Tippett, Vaughan Williams and Richter were all stunning pieces. Of the vocal pieces, I loved the Harris and Orlando Gibbons. Schumann and Gounod were perfect little gems. An honourable mention goes to Raga Piloo as the most unusual piece of the month!

There are lots more I could mention, so as usual, as soon as someone talks about theirs, I will be bound to join in to say I loved it too :)

Ecololgue is a gentle, meandering* *piece of music. I did find myself drifting off while listening to it. As Clemency says in the notes, you can let it wash over you and feel soothed by it.

The Tanaka was delightful. I quite liked the Harris, although I think I would need to listen to it a few more times to get a sense of this.

Clemency is certainly giving us variety!

Eclogue for Piano and Strings - Finzi

This was gorgeous, what a beautiful way to start the morning. Calm and gentle but never boring.

I was preparing to dislike the Harris, as sacred choral stuff from this era is not my thing. But the textures here are so rich beautifully layered. Really good.

I really enjoyed the low-key, minimal sound on the Tanaka. Heartened to hear it's a grade 6 piece - one of my DC is learning piano and I think isn't far off being able to tackle it!

We are half way through the party Guffo 😁

The Tanaka is obviously a set piece for the Grade 6 piano exam if my YouTube search is anything to go by. Quite difficult to find a version that wasn’t a tutorial or demo.

When I did I had to listen to it twice, as I spent the first one sort of waiting for it to ‘kick in’ and become something else. Once I’d got my head around it, I thought it was lovely and it did make me think of bees buzzing round the lavender.

Im off to to listen to The Lark Ascending now, which is where I’m up to in my catch up. It’s one I’m very familiar with. My father in law is a big Vaughan Williams fan.

On listening again, this really is a beautiful piece. Love it.

Very late to the party, but I love this!

Lavender Field: Karen Tanaka

This piece is not on the Spotify playlist. It must have been overlooked.

This short piece for piano is calm and peaceful. It's restorative; the auditory equivalent of inhaling a freshly-cut bunch of lavender :)

I thought the Harris was beautiful. Lovely and verse. I'll go back and listen to it again later. It's a piece that shouldn't be rushed.

Bring Us, O Lord God - William Harris

I enjoyed this, I do like the choral ones. It wasn't my favourite, however in an attempt to keep up more I'm trying to listen whilst DD has breakfast and I potter in the kitchen as previous strategy of only listening when I have 5 mins to myself ended up with me being about a month behind! I don't know, though, if that's affecting my appreciation a little.

Get well soon Alias ☕🍪

Sorry you're not feeling great, Alias. Stirring is a good word for today's. I really liked it. I feel I should stride off and undertake some noble act of great valour.

I’m not too well - struggling with what is possibly labrynthitis or maybe an inner ear thing or possibly sinuses I don’t know. Anyway I’m having a little lie down and found the sicilienne from yesterday lovely and lilting and soothing.

The Sinfonietta from today not so much! But it was quite stirring and possibly one to revisit when I’m feeling better.

I listened to the Von Paradis again to revert to something quieter for Sunday* *morning.
It's lovely. The melody is gentle and haunting and it suits the cello very well.

Over the last few days I've enjoyed the Richter and the Tchaikovsky. Not so fussed about the others. I found today's quite harsh and blaring (and I'm not anti-brass!).

Cross-posted with you Fuzzy, having lost my post and rewritten it. Hard agree that it's too early for fanfares!

Richter was quiet and understated and sublime. Hahn has such an amazing tone. Loved this so much. One for the playlist
Milhaud - although this was written for two pianos I prefer the sax version (Jess Gillam), probably because I heard it first. So sunny and light.
I found the Tchaikovsky pretty forgettable.
Gibbons - not my cup of tea.
von Paradis I'm familiar with this, although I had no idea who composed it. Such a beautiful melody and a perfect fit for the cello.

Today's piece is Janacek: Sinfonietta 1. Allegretto - Allegro - Maestoso. This was lots of booming, blustering brass, which felt a bit much for a Sunday morning. Not for me.

Sinfonietta 1st Movement: Janáček.

This isn't music to listen to too early in the morning! It's a very impressive piece for brass and must be great to play if you're a brass player or percussionist. It's not so great if you're a viola player sitting in the back row (from experience!)

I know the Sicilienne. I agree, it's pleasant, not outstanding.