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

[MamaNewtNewt]

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.

Hi PermanentTemporary. I must look up the book you mentioned by Julian Barnes, thanks for that.
I agree, it's probably hard to listen to such varied pieces in one sitting. It's a lot to take in at once. I think most pieces need more than one hearing to fully appreciate them and even then, you will always like some more than others. Your mood might also influence how you feel about a piece on any given day. I appreciate everything I listen to, but there are some I prefer, definitely.
I hadn't thought about how ornamentation might change your perception of the melody. puts on thinking cap

Just to add, I think professional musicians from any country would have a very high level of sight-reading :)

Today's was very jolly and I enjoyed it. I liked hearing the clarinet. I wouldn't call it a favourite but I might have another listen if toddler ever naps.

Jolly enough but I still don’t like the clarinet much.

Well the Weber was a jaunty romp! Not sure I’d ever chose to listen to it again. Think I wasn’t in the right ‘mood’ for it

@bibliomania

I rather liked today's. Very sprightly with a comic edge, like newborn lambs staggering and then bouncing around a field.

I read this before listening and then couldn't get that image out of my mind It's a perfect description!

I like von Weber, although there's nothing of his that makes my top 10. Very much the 'music to do housework to' category. I also like the clarinet so the piece suited me nicely today.

Didn't like today's - I felt the jollity was overdone. Like being at one of those parties where you feel everyone's trying a bit too hard to have an amazing time. I also bear a ridiculous grudge against the clarinet, in that the novelty of its invention drew composers away from the flute and particularly the oboe, which I much prefer.

The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes was very good - makes you realise why the stuff like the 1st cello concerto and quartet 8 are basically the soundtrack to your worst ever anxiety dream.

Mass for Five Voices* 5: Agnus Dei* by William Byrd (c. 1539/40–1623)

I really liked the simplicity of this one I see what CBH means about it sounding like a conversation at the start, but I love the harmony with the voices coming together too. I found it beautiful and soothing.

One I need to listen to a few times I think. I do love the vocal harmonies and it is soothing but a bit dull. I need to listen to a few different versions later.

Absolutely loved this. Felt I was sitting in Hampton court chapel royal on a cold day with the pomanders and incense and quiet contemplation !
Then read he was indeed appointed ‘gentleman of the chapel royal’
Atheist here but, by god, I’d sit in a chapel regularly to hear this.

Atheist here but, by god, I’d sit in a chapel regularly to hear this.

Agreed, Heron. I miss soaking in a hot bath by the light of a scented candle with music like this soaring around me. It does not work in the shower.

I also imagined myself sitting in my city's cathedral listening to this. It's lovely; quiet and reflective and I thought Clemency's notes were interesting for the background to this piece.

I spent the morning listening back over the January pieces to decide on my favourites for this month. I think I'll get it down to five or six :)

I thought this version was sublime

Catching up on LOADS which isn't ideal, but came on today to say I really loved the Byrd piece. I work next to Temple Church and they have a choir which (in normal times) practises on Wednesdays. It's one of the nicest things about my work, sitting there on a sunny Wednesday evening listening to choral music.

I also liked the von Weber, although it's not the kind of thing I usually like. Very cheering. Think I need to go back and listen to the others again.

I've sung some Byrd (not very well) which was an incredible experience. Inevitably I don't know this particular piece as well and was not quite as gripped. But in general it's extraordinary music.

Gorgeous, I loved it.

So I listened to the first version I came across which, nothing wrong with it but I found it a little dull to be honest. Though I was listening in my car trying to cram it in before picking DD up. So I’ve listened to a couple of versions again this evening, including the one from Ely posted by Best Is West and yes you’re all right it’s just sublime, and very soothing after a slightly fraught day!

I just listed to the version that BestIsWest posted. It's beautiful. Very soothing. Thanks for posting it Best.

Can I just add that I really think this endeavour is one of the best of my life!! Which may sound over dramatic (maybe I am a little bit over dramatic 😉) but I knew nothing about this subject and now I have listened to 24 pieces and often it’s felt like my whole soul is being soothed.

I am also a last minute, all of nothing person, - so do this in small daily moments is refreshing and new.

That is all!!

It's a more enjoyable new year goal than Dry Jan anyway.

Aw Cherryana! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I agree, it's good for the soul :)

Ha ha Bibliomania. I'm counting down the days :)

One more week Fuzzy!

Hi All! I fell quite behind (10 days) so just caught up and agree that listening all at once doesn’t really work so definitely going to try and utilise coffee breaks more.

Of the 10 days in review the standout was the Messiaen composed in a POW camp. I found it so powerful and was reading about the composer’s condition ‘synaesthesia’ by which he sees chords as colours - so fascinating.

I physically hated the Reich minimalist piece from 19th (despite always enjoying Kraftwork!).

Todays was fine but possibly a bit of over saturation for me - fresh ears tomo.

cherryana me too ! I’ve had awful few years with bereavements and other crap and when I unwrapped this book at Christmas it looked great then as I really looked a bit more it felt a very precious thing and I got a bit teary. We all laughed. I laughed and cried.