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Year of Wonder: Classical Music For Every Day (Part Two)

505 replies

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 18/07/2022 09:18

Year of Wonder (Part One)

New thread to accompany the book Year of Wonder by Clemency Burton Hill.

All welcome to join in.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 23/10/2022 11:21

Canon and Gigue in D Major: Johann Pachelbel.

I have to admit that I always think 'oh this again!' when this comes up, but I enjoyed listening to it today. It's a gem of a piece.
I really hate it if it's played too quickly. The version on Spotify is perfect.

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bibliomania · 23/10/2022 19:33

Wouldn't have recognized the name but I know the music. Still lovely.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 24/10/2022 09:56

Rataplan: Maria Malibran

This is a no from me. I can see how it could have been a fun party piece in its time, but that trilling really set my teeth on edge.

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AliasGrape · 24/10/2022 21:08

Another lengthy catch up session for me this evening, I never learn nor make it any easier on myself!

Going back to the Puccini Crisantemi which I really loved actually, I don't know why I wasn't expecting to from the notes somehow

Weir - lovely, but I'll probably not remember it tomorrow

Wieniawski - I liked it in its quieter moments, other bits felt really screechy but that's my weird violin intolerance coming out

Zipoli - wow, very beautiful

Rachmaninov- those low notes were low weren't they. This was gloomy but I liked it.

Morley - Light and bright and breezy, made me think of ballroom dances rather than bunnies

Frances-Hoad - nice enough

Cantaloube- goshI c

AliasGrape · 24/10/2022 21:21

Gah, stupid phone.

Loved the Canteloube and loved the Boulanger

I have always loved the Pachelbel and feel somewhat vindicated by its inclusion as I had the sense it was seen as a rather basic/ obvious choice. Didn't go with it for our wedding, but always makes my heart swell a bit when I hear it at others' ceremonies.

Malibran - no thanks. * * * * * *

bibliomania · 24/10/2022 21:31

The Malibran was amusing but I wouldn't rush to hear it again.

bibliomania · 25/10/2022 18:16

Gala Water, by Sally Beamish
I didn't love this. I could see, once it was pointed out, how it tried to convey the pain and rupture of loss, but I'm not in the mood.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 25/10/2022 19:40

I liked the Beamish, but agree that it's a piece that you need to be in the mood to listen to.
I thought the story was good about her daughter making her a viola to replace the one that was stolen from her.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 26/10/2022 10:15

Sonata in A Major: Domenico Scarlatti.

I liked this. I thought it was quiet and restful. Interesting point about Scarlatti crossing over between the Baroque and classical eras. It does remind me of both; a rather expressive melodic line but pared back and expressed in a clean, precise way.

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bibliomania · 26/10/2022 21:26

I thought it was pleasant but unmemorable, although I was cooking so may not have given it the attention it deserved.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 27/10/2022 10:35

bibliomania · 26/10/2022 21:26

I thought it was pleasant but unmemorable, although I was cooking so may not have given it the attention it deserved.

I don't think it was particularly memorable Biblio, but it was pleasant to listen to.

Cantabile: Niccolò Paganini.

This piece is also pleasant to listen to and continues the restful vibe following yesterday's Scarlatti. I think it's warm and lyrical and I might prefer the chilled-out, informal Paganini to the usual fiery extrovert one based on this.

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TheTurn0fTheScrew · 27/10/2022 13:31

Wee catch up from me:
Pachelbel is objectively nice, but for me overexposed. And imagine being the cellist stuck with those eight notes...
Also not liking the Malibran
Beamish I didn't get on with. Sounded like tuning up.
Scarlatti was lovely. Calming but still lots of interest. Will listen again.

Today's Paganini was a pleasant surprise. I'm used to his stuff sounding tricksy for the sake of it, and it's nice to here that the old devil had a softer side.

AliasGrape · 27/10/2022 19:46

The Beamish wasn't for me at all, agree that it sounded like tuning up

Scarlatti was lovely and calm

Paganini - this was also lovely, still felt quite romantic but not OTT

bibliomania · 28/10/2022 18:05

The Paganini was warm and cosy.

Today's Ma vlast 2. Vlatava by Smetana was not warm and cosy, but a castle with all flags flying. I was surprised how much I liked it. I now need to go to Prague and stride along with this in my ears.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 28/10/2022 18:50

I'm really fond of the Smetana and know it well. The viola part is good and fun to play :) I was very pleased to see it featured on the playlist.

This is a very colourful piece of music with a lot of contrasts in mood and tone. I like your description of it Biblio. It's definitely majestic but its also playful and tender at times. It's a piece that holds your interest. I love the rise and fall of the melody that mirrors the swell of the river as a motif throughout the piece. It ends on such a joyful note and it's a pleasure to listen to from start to finish.

It never occurred to me that there are other movements to listen to. I always thought of it as a stand-alone piece. I'm curious about them now.

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AliasGrape · 29/10/2022 09:54

I loved the Smetana and though I was only sorting washing this morning, I felt it was a suitably rousing accompaniment. One of the longer pieces (anything over 4 minutes goes in this category for me!) that when I see the time I always think oh dear, I’ll either get bored or just forget to listen whilst I do something else. Neither happened here, it was very engaging.

I LOVE Someone To Watch Over Me, I’d never have thought of it as classical really but this book/ year is expanding my understanding. This Turrin arrangement was just beautiful and I will be listening to this a few more times today I think.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 29/10/2022 10:18

Yes, I also loved the Gershwin/Turrin.
A joy to listen to.

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bibliomania · 29/10/2022 10:29

Agree that the Gershwin was a treat on a rainy October weekend morning.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 29/10/2022 10:55

I've just remembered that the annual jazz festival is on this weekend, so Gershwin is very appropriate :)* *

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bibliomania · 29/10/2022 14:51

Celebrating by the Lee, Fuzzy?

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 29/10/2022 15:18

Yes, Biblio ;) it's a lovely day if you avoid the heavy downpours showers!* *

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bibliomania · 29/10/2022 15:21

It's all about learning to dance in the rain, Fuzzy...

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 29/10/2022 15:44

The jazz festival is synonymous with heavy rain as per tradition, Biblio and it would be the same if you didn't squelch from one venue to the next :)

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bibliomania · 29/10/2022 15:53

I'll take your word for it, Fuzzy. I went to ucc and was allegedly present for some of the jazz but recall nothing. Alcohol may have been involved.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 29/10/2022 15:58

bibliomania · 29/10/2022 15:53

I'll take your word for it, Fuzzy. I went to ucc and was allegedly present for some of the jazz but recall nothing. Alcohol may have been involved.

I went to UCC too. Happy days.
I remember asking for a pint of Murphy's one time and getting odd looks for not ordering Guinness!

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