Hank Reynolds
Handel, Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together/Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder We decided to present a webinar on Parts II and III of Handel’s Messiah during Holy Week, having already done Part I (the Christmas part) in December. Part II deals with … Read more
Mason, O Look to Golgotha Lowell Mason (1792-1872) figures prominently in the history of American music. You are most likely to know him as a hymnodist: composer of Nearer My God to Thee, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun and for … Read more
Giuseppe Sammartini, Concerto for Recorder and Strings Giuseppe Sammartini (1695 – 1750) could easily be confused with his younger brother Giovanni Battista Sammartini (c. 1700 – 1775). The “Sammartini Brothers” were listed as oboists in Milan in 1720, which is probably a reference to Giuseppe … Read more
Chambonnières, Sarabande Jacques Champion de Chambonnières (1601/2 – 1672) is described as the founder and one of the most distinguished members of the French classical school of harpsichord playing. We know little of his early life, but his reputation as harpsichordist was firmly established prior … Read more
Stanford, Beati Quorum Via I often turn to Irish music in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. This year, I’m featuring a Latin motet by English composer Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924). Beati quorum via bears none of the marks of traditional Irish music. Sanford was, however, … Read more
Galuppi, Sonata in B-Flat Simpler melodies, lighter texture, moving easily from the expression of one emotion to another: these characteristics strongly contrasted with the aesthetics of the late Baroque, the contrapuntal complexity of J. S. Bach, Handel, and Telemann. The new style was called galant or, in … Read more
Reicha, Woodwind Quintet, Op. 88, No. 2 I once considered writing my doctoral dissertation on Anton Reicha (1770-1836). For a variety of reasons, that didn’t happen, and I eventually chose a very different topic. But the under-researched Reicha offered plenty of material for a music … Read more
Bridge, Music, When Soft Voices Die Frank Bridge (1879-1941) tends to be overshadowed in the historical flow of early 20th-century British music by his contemporaries Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Like Holst and Vaughan Williams, he studied with Charles Villiers Stanford. And as teacher … Read more
Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor (“Mad Scene”) The “mad scene” in Lucia di Lammermoor ranks as one of the most famous scenes in opera. A short synopsis will explain the situation. Lucia is in love with Edgardo, but their families are engaged in a feud. While … Read more
Tallis, If Ye Love Me If Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585) had a list of greatest hits, If Ye Love Me would surely rank near the top. One of the things I remember well about the day I married Carol is the performance of this work … Read more