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.

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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.

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.

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.

@ Bibliomania mine too!

@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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

I liked rather than loved todays. I found I wanted it to go places that it didn’t although I suppose I should embrace the unexpected.
Got to say the technical virtuosity of the violins was amazing. Must be awesome to be able to play an instrument so well.

Another one who liked rather than loved today’s. I don’t think I actually do love violins that much.

Although I tend to listen to the pieces again in the evening and often appreciate them more then somehow, I think I see the first listen as a task/ assignment and maybe don’t let it wash over me enough.

I didn't get it. I couldn't see the shape of it or something. The solution is probably in becoming more familiar with it, but I'm not very enticed.

I have to go back to days 1-4 and listen to them this evening - I am a big fan of Hildegard of Bingen. The In Our Time episode about her is fascinating. And I really like plainsong and choral music, as evidenced by the fact I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's. DP - not a fan - admitted on the second listen that it was "better than ok".

Yes, I think a second listen is a good idea. I might do them all again later..

Today's was another piece I'm familiar with. I have it on Ray Chen's The Golden Age, but will admit to frequently skipping past it to get to the gorgeous quartets on the same album.

But I tried again, for the sake of the book and the thread. It's fine, but I don't love it. I think it feels similar to the Brahms Violin Concerto ,which I prefer, and which feels more virtuosic (is that the word??) and explosive. In the Bruch my favourite sections were actually the tuttis, which I am guessing is not supposed to be the point of a concerto.

Ooh I liked todays very cinematic. I might have a relisten to the last 7 each weekend to see how memorable they are.

I listened to it again.

I am fascinated by our different responses to the same pieces. I think I love that more than the music!

Liked todays. I think I would have known it was French even if the book hadn’t told me. I can almost hear it being played on accordions.
I liked the switch from melancholy to uplifting.

I think todays is one of my favourites so far. I agree that I would have thought it was French even if I hadn't read the CBH's summary. It just instantly transports me to France in the first half of the 20th century and I also loved the shift from melancholy to uplifting. I found it kinda beautiful.