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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.

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Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 06/01/2022 08:38

Oh wow I loved today's as well. It's just so epic and I love me some violins too.

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Cherryana · 06/01/2022 08:11

I did like Crucifixus yesterday. From my two exposures to choral music from this endeavour it appears I like it.

But today’s. For me, it was brilliant. It was intriguing and surprising and all encompassing. It seemed to envelop me with its lightness, power and depth.

I have just listened to it once but once is not enough!

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MamaNewtNewt · 05/01/2022 21:11

I'm definitely in the minority on todays offering! I had another listen and didn't find it as unsettling, but this one just isn't for me. Still really liking being exposed to music I wouldn't otherwise hear though.

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Palegreenstars · 05/01/2022 20:58

I’ve sat down to listen to the first 5 tonight but will try and listen daily from now.

I was least keen on 3 and 5. I think choirs are like cricket for me - great in real life with all the atmosphere but hard to connect with at home.

I did understand what she was saying about today’s Crucifixus keeping you hanging on needing a resolution - but didn’t think that came.

As a novice (which I’ll try not to write ever time I post). I enjoyed 2 and 4 (Chopin and Beethoven) the most - perhaps they are the most obvious for a rookie.

I do find classical naming a bit confusing -some isn’t that memorable.

AliasGrape · 05/01/2022 19:15

Can confirm it was a much improved experience during toddler nap time!

bibliomania · 05/01/2022 19:12

Glad I'm not the only inarticulate one, Best! I can see how a quacking toddler would detract from the loftiness of the experience, Alias.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 05/01/2022 18:39

Very much enjoyed today's calming bit of Lotti. I didn't find it unsettling, probably as Burton-Hill notes, the dissonance always resolves. This is one I own already, done by The Sixteen on Renaissance. For anyone who enjoyed it, I would totally recommend giving Renaissance a listen.

catinboots123 · 05/01/2022 13:38

Sorry didn't read the thread properly just seen the links

catinboots123 · 05/01/2022 13:28

I was given this last year and it has just collected dust on the kitchen shelf Blush

Where is everyone finding the tracks to listen too? Would love to start listening daily

AliasGrape · 05/01/2022 13:22

@bibliomania

Loved today's. My reviews aren't going to get much further than "I liked it" or "I didn't like it", I'm afraid. I don't have the vocabulary.
Same here for the reviews!

I almost a little bit sort of understood what the notes said about tension and resolution in today's piece, but I'm not sure I fully got it!

I didn't love today's piece but toddler was crawling on me and quacking like a duck throughout so I'm going to try again after bedtime.

BestIsWest · 05/01/2022 10:59

@ Bibliomania mine too!

BestIsWest · 05/01/2022 10:58

I loved todays! I can see what you mean about the horror film, it us very atmospheric and suspenseful. There’s something about choral music that just stills me somehow though.

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MamaNewtNewt · 05/01/2022 10:32

I found the piece today a wee bit creepy and unsettling, at least at the start. I could just imagine it being used in the soundtrack for a horror film. I'm going to try it again later to see if I feel differently but I'm not a fan so far.

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bibliomania · 05/01/2022 10:31

Loved today's. My reviews aren't going to get much further than "I liked it" or "I didn't like it", I'm afraid. I don't have the vocabulary.

NewYearSue · 04/01/2022 23:07

.

PermanentTemporary · 04/01/2022 23:05

I've succumbed and bought it Grin

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MamaNewtNewt · 04/01/2022 22:37

That's the playlist I'm using too. Here is the link: open.spotify.com/playlist/0GHTAITHgzLCDwWZYjxzOP?si=IAfyjzWcRyq0wronzRsIew

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Cherryana · 04/01/2022 22:21

The playlist I am using on Spotify looks like this.

If you can get the book the insights are so beautiful and carefully crafted.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Everyday (Part 1)
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 04/01/2022 20:03

PermanentTemporary I'm not using a dedicated playlist, so I can pick and choose recordings. Perhaps that's where I went wrong with the Hildegard - I chose a very plainsong version. I preferred the Kronos quartet version, as even a stripped back accompaniment adds so much. If you don't fancy getting the book I'm sure we can tip you off on the piece of the day Grin.

PermanentTemporary · 04/01/2022 19:48

Hope I've got the right playlist... I need to buy the book [counts pennies]

PermanentTemporary · 04/01/2022 19:47

I didn't love the Bach but the Bingen blew me away Shock

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 04/01/2022 19:19

Hello, and big thanks to @MamaNewtNewt for the thread - what a lovely idea.

I feel like an awful philistine, but the Hildegard von Bingen didn't really do it for me. The melody was lovely, but TBH with plainsong I can get a little bored. My problem, not hers. And she sounds like a force of nature.

The Beethoven today though - stunning. So rich and warm and uplifting, whilst being very quiet and restrained in parts. It's staggering that he wrote this when deaf. Keen to listen to the quartet in full now.

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 04/01/2022 18:46

Ah lovely idea, thanks for the thread. I'm catching up tomorrow as it's my day off.

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MamaNewtNewt · 04/01/2022 18:20

@AliasGrape

Of the pieces so far the Chopin has maybe done the least for me, though I’ve enjoyed them all.

I think I'd have to agree and Chopin is probably one of the composers I'm most familiar with, and have generally liked. I love Chopin Piano Concerto #1, Opus 11 (Romanze), or the tune from the music box in the film Splash as I generally know it Grin

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Terpsichore · 04/01/2022 18:10

Just to add in a snippet for the Hildegard of Bingen fans - the recording that really started it all off was called 'A Feather on the Breath of God', by Gothic Voices, and featuring the superb Emma Kirkby. I just went to get it off my shelf and to my astonishment it was first released in 1985....still seems like yesterday Grin

Anyway, the opening track, Columba aspexit, completely bowled me over then, and it still does. The CD sold so massively that it basically guaranteed the future of the record label (Hyperion). Annoyingly, it doesn't seem to be on Spotify but I'd really recommend it to anyone who wants to hear more.

Also, Emma Kirkby is a fantastic singer. So pure and crystalline. She's most famous for early music but any of her recordings are great, really - Monteverdi, Purcell, Handel, Mozart....

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