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

[IsFuzzyBeagMise]

Year of Wonder (Part One)

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

All welcome to join in.

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.

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

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.

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

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. * * * * * *

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Celebrating by the Lee, Fuzzy?

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

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

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 :)

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!