In classical music, the Romantic Era lasted from around 1810 to around 1910. That century gave us some of the most famous symphonies in the repertoire. Nineteenth-century composers like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Schubert, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, and others elevated the symphony
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“If music be the food of love, play on.”
Shakespeare and Music IV: The Merry Wives of Windsor January 3rd, 2016The shenanigans of Sir John Falstaff, one of William Shakespeare’s great comic characters, is next in our ten-part series of Shakespeare and music. The portly, vain character appears in Henry IV part 1 and Henry IV part 2 and Merry -
Minors of the Majors
Robert Schumann: (New Year’s Song), Album for the Young Op. 68, No. 43 January 2nd, 2016“Minors of the Majors” invites you to discover compositions by the great classical composers that for one reason or another have not reached the musical mainstream. Please enjoy, and keep listening! Robert and Clara Schumann had eight children, all born -
Waltz your Way into 2016! December 31st, 2015 The popping of champagne corks on New Year’s Eve is frequently accompanied by the music of Johann Strauss Junior. The undisputed master of the Viennese waltz, he became the most popular musician of his generation. And while many of his -
Auld Lang Syne packaged by Joseph Haydn December 30th, 2015 Welcoming the New Year frequently involves a glass of champagne and a celebratory kiss from somebody nearby. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve the English-speaking world, either before or after extensive toasting and kissing, also collectively launches -
Sergei Prokofiev: Enfant Terrible December 29th, 2015 The piano was the prominent vehicle for Sergei Prokofiev’s musical expression. In the tradition of the great piano virtuosos of the 19th century, he was initially looking to impress his audiences with his considerable keyboard skills. Igor Stravinsky attended a -
Minors of the Majors
Felix Mendelssohn: “On New Year’s Day,” Op 79, No.2 December 28th, 2015“Minors of the Majors” invites you to discover compositions by the great classical composers that for one reason or another have not reached the musical mainstream. Please enjoy, and keep listening! -
Muses and Musings
Lusty Eye for the Music Guy: Johann Mayrhofer and Franz Schubert December 27th, 2015Johannes Brahms considered the poet Johann Mayrhofer “the most serious of all Schubert’s friends.” This complicated man, full of self-hatred and driven by emotions whose violence he could not accept, transferred the conflict-ridden passions of his inner world into powerful -
Music and Art: Mendelssohn and Leighton December 27th, 2015 In our series on Music and Art, we’ve been looking at works of music inspired by works of art. The influence also goes the other way, where works of art have been inspired by music. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) came from