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.

Beata Viscera: Pérotin.

I think that this is absolutely stunning. The voice is beautiful* *and there is a hypnotic quality to the music. It reminds me of the Hildegard von Bingen piece that we had back in January which was also unaccompanied voice and was also pared back and plain, but beautiful.

The Mahler did indeed feel very serious - I was expecting it to be really ‘heavy’ from the notes so was surprised how ‘easy’ it was to listen to if that makes sense. I liked it a lot.

Agree that the Perotin was beautiful - so clear and yes it does feel ancient but I love that! Gorgeous.

Really liked both the Mahler and the Perotin, beautiful voices in both too. I could listen to pieces like the Perotin all day. So clear and calming.

Loved the Perotin too.

Bachianas brasileiras no. 5, 1. Aria (Cantilena): Heitor Villa-Lobos.

I think this piece is magnificent. The soaring soprano partnered with the solo cello and the busy pizzicato accompaniment is a gorgeous combination. Perfectly put together.

The notes were interesting, particularly the influence of Bach on Villa-Lobos. I hadn't thought of it, but it's perfectly obvious now that it's pointed out to me. The middle section is quite a contrast; it's like an impassioned plea. Then the return to the order and calm of the opening and that utterly beautiful last note. It's divine.

I enjoyed the Villa-Lobos too.

Musica Ricercata: György Ligeti.

This is a really lively, quirky piece of music that I enjoyed listening to. It does make you feel energised afterwards. I'm nearly sure the harmonic intervals are consecutive fifths which we we always told by our music teacher were not acceptable to use in classical music. I'm glad that rule was done away with!

Loved the Villa-Lobos, not so much the Ligeti.

Todays was Ground After the Scotch Humour - Nicola Matteis
The first version I found was plays by the Palladian Ensemble and featured a flute which I think was playing the violin’s part. I then found a violin version. I liked both - it’s a lovely upbeat piece of music that made me want to dance.

Definitely, Alias. I agree. I think it's lively and bright, full of vim and vigour. I enjoyed listening to it.

The Ligeti is like the soundtrack to a children's sci fi series from the early 80s. Something dystopian with very few actors to keep the budget down.

The Matteis was fun.

White Light Chorale, by Param Vir.

An ethereal wisp of a thing.

Absolutely, Biblio! It's nearly transparent.

If this represents white light, it suggests the harsh glow of a single light bulb rather than a cosy corner lamp.

The Spotify playlist is playing tricks this week and is missing pieces. It's throwing a spanner in the works :)

I found the notes (as in the written ones in today’s entry) more interesting than the actual piece today, wanted to like it but it evoked no response beyond ‘oh … right’.

Definitely! I thought the same.

'When I am laid in earth' from Dido and Aeneas: Henry Purcell.

I think this is fabulous. It's very despairing and gloomy, but at the same time heart-felt and beautiful. I always forget how much I love the music of Purcell until I stumble across it. A favourite for this month, definitely.

It's annoying how the last note was cut off on the Spotify playlist!

I agree with everything you say @IsFuzzyBeagMise, including the point about the cut off last note. Really lovely. Must listen to more Purcell.

The Purcell wasn’t an instant ‘love’ for me, but I appreciated it a bit more on a second listen. I’m trying hard to get my head round the technical description of what he’s doing in the piece but it’s still totally beyond me!

Hymn to Saint Cecilia: Benjamin Britten.

I think it's one of those instances for me when the notes are more interesting than the piece itself. I'm impressed by how Britten recreated this work from memory, but I'm afraid I don't particularly enjoy listening to it.

I got really behind, and have just had a massive catch up
Medtner I initially liked, but it was rather long and didn't seem to go anywhere, so I lost interest
Fanny Mendelssohn was great - alternately lively and bright, then rich and sonorous.
Mahler was epic in all the best ways. Tender at the start, with the brass giving a very stately feel. Best bit was the oboe solo in the middle though.
Perotin was not my cup of tea. Great to hear something so old though.
I found the Villa-Lobos striking and unusual. I think I will probably go back to this one.
Lygeti left me cold. Very clever I'm sure, but I found it irritating.
Matteis was bright and fun. There are a few versions but I especially liked the one by Le Tendre Amour, with delicate recorders came and an oboe.
Vir didn't grab me at all.
I LOVE the Purcell. The fat, deep, moody ground bass is a perfect foil to the soaring, despairing vocal. If anyone fancies a slightly different version, the mighty L'arpeggiata have recorded a version with jazz piano and guitar which lots of critics hated, but I love as much as the more faithful recordings.
Britten I enjoy a lot. I don't know enough theory to explain what I'm hearing, but there's something unmistakable in his unusual choral harmonies that I really like.

I did enjoy the Britten, I thought there was something quite warm and rich about it. Not a stand out favourite but likeable.

Siete canciones populares españolas 4. Jota: Manuel de Falla arr. Paul Kochanski.

This sounded familiar to me; it must get some air time on the radio. This is lively, bright and joyful and definitely evocative of sunny España. A tonic of a piece for a November day.

I hadn't heard the De Falla before and didn't particularly warm to it. For some reason I didn't feel that the piano and violin parts complemented each other well and it all felt a bit full on and frantic.

I did browse spotify and found a version by Jacqueline du Pre with guitar accompaniment that I preferred. It has a softer feel.

That's a gorgeous pairing, the cello and guitar. Thanks for mentioning it, TheTurn.

The De Falla was a cheery little number.

Three Sacred Hymns 1. Hail Mary: Alfred Schnittke.

The Spotify playlist has suggested a penitential psalm instead of the Hail Mary. I think it's having a bad week.

If yesterday was a cheery little number (which it was), this is the opposite. It's very solid and I think the texture is more dense than lofty. There is a performance that I listened to on YouTube where it sounded quite resonant which was good, but I'm not sure if this is going to grow on me or not, or I may just move on.