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Original poster

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 · 20/01/2022 13:34

It might be a unanimous decision Grin

BestIsWest · 20/01/2022 13:29

@AliasGrape

Schubert today - it was nice. I can’t think of anything else to say about it really!
Neither can I!
AliasGrape · 20/01/2022 12:27

Schubert today - it was nice. I can’t think of anything else to say about it really!

AliasGrape · 20/01/2022 12:00

@PermanentTemporary

I listened to another group today. Really enjoyed the Albinoni and LOVED the Steve Reich. There's another piece of his I listen to a lot (Music for Eighteen Musicians) and I like all the minimalists as a rule,.so it was great to be introduced to something new.
I’m just listening to that now, really enjoying it!
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 20/01/2022 10:02

Schubert: An die Musik. It's a pleasant song. That is all (as per the notes!) It's good to have the verse and its translation though. It definitely helps to know what is being sung.

Soyabean I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

BestIsWest · 19/01/2022 21:31

I noticed the write up for Different Trains Grawlix when I looked up this piece so I just had a listen. Thank you. It was weirdly wonderful.

HeronLanyon · 19/01/2022 21:17

I was given this for Christmas an really enjoying it. A lot of Messiaen - but surely just crazy coincidence when looking at various dates.

Such a great idea.

Grawlix · 19/01/2022 21:13

@BestIsWest

Very interesting. I get the Kraftwerk reference. Made me think of trains, mainly being on the platform in our little station and express trains hurtling through. I don’t love it but liked it enough to listen to the other movements.
BestIsWest sounds as though you might perhaps enjoy Reich's Different Trains ?
PermanentTemporary · 19/01/2022 20:41

I listened to another group today. Really enjoyed the Albinoni and LOVED the Steve Reich. There's another piece of his I listen to a lot (Music for Eighteen Musicians) and I like all the minimalists as a rule,.so it was great to be introduced to something new.

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 19/01/2022 20:19

Oh interesting re Kraftwerk, I didn't pick that up on my first listen but will keep an ear out.

OP posts:
bibliomania · 19/01/2022 18:39

I actively disliked it and found that it was getting on my nerves.

BestIsWest · 19/01/2022 15:14

Very interesting. I get the Kraftwerk reference. Made me think of trains, mainly being on the platform in our little station and express trains hurtling through. I don’t love it but liked it enough to listen to the other movements.

Welshwabbit · 19/01/2022 15:05

Today's mainly reminded me of Kraftwerk. Which is no bad thing.

Cherryana · 19/01/2022 14:54

I was surprised when todays started because it was very different. It was okay - I think I had higher hopes for it because of the explanation in the book.

AliasGrape · 19/01/2022 14:21

Today's was different! I didn't love it but it was quite interesting and as I'm listening on YouTube via the TV I quite enjoyed watching the guitarist too.

soyabean · 19/01/2022 14:19

I don’t feel in the mood for it today (tired, achey) but would definitely try it another time!

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 19/01/2022 13:51

Not what I was expecting at all (especially as I listened before reading about it) but I quite liked it.

OP posts:
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 19/01/2022 13:13

I wouldn't choose to listen to today's selection again. I do prefer the 3rd movement (Fast again), which I think is because it sounds like a more traditional jazz guitar piece and feels more accessible. Or it might be because it's sampled on The Orb's Little Fluffy Clouds Grin.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 19/01/2022 10:19

Reich: Electric Counterpoint 1. Interesting! This is far from what I usually listen to. I wouldn't call it a mood-booster personally, although it is bright and lively. I'll listen to more of it later on. I'm not very knowledgeable about Reich or most modern composers.

Welshwabbit · 18/01/2022 21:07

Really liked the Albinoni piece (which I think I may have heard before). I enjoyed listening to Dirait-on, but not as much.

bibliomania · 18/01/2022 20:52

I liked today's. Nice and gentle.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 18/01/2022 20:20

It's interesting to hear of everyone's reactions, they vary quite a bit! This one just melted my heart. I must look up the theme tune of 'The Vicar of Dibley' Grin
I was just going to say in response to AliasGrape that it is quite modern, composed in 1993. Lauridsen started composing in the late 1960s.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 18/01/2022 20:09

that being said, I think it's good to listen to stuff outside my comfort zone. they won't all be winners, but some will.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 18/01/2022 20:09

Dirait-on wasn't my cup of tea, I'm afraid. I have a bit of a mental block with more modern music sung in a very classical style. Reminded me of the Vicar of Dibley.

AliasGrape · 18/01/2022 13:48

Today’s was beautiful and easily my favourite so far. I’ve just listened to it 3 times through whilst DD naps on me.

I wonder though if it’s because it sounds quite similar/ comparable to music I listen to more often if that makes sense - I could easily imagine that melody in a modern pop song or in musical theatre - wouldn’t be quite as beautiful as the lovely choral versions maybe. Once again my complete lack of knowledge/ vocabulary is letting me down on what I want to say. It might be something as simple as it’s a more modern piece maybe.