Hank Reynolds
Monza, Sinfonia in D Major (“La tempesta di mare”) In 1770, the 14-year-old Mozart was in Milan studying the music of some of Italy’s most important composers. Primary among them was Giovanni Battista Sammartini, but another prominent Milanese composer was Carlo Monza (c. 1735-1801). (This … Read more
Finzi, Five Bagatelles (3 and 4) The music of Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) in many ways follows the style of his fellow British composers Sir Edward Elgar and his friend Ralph Vaughan Williams. Best known for his choral works and songs, Finzi’s Five Bagatelles, written for … Read more
Shostakovich, Galop The galop was a popular ballroom dance in the 19th century that took its name, as you might expect, from the galloping of horses. It was fast and furious. Galops tended to be short, lasting only a couple of minutes, since otherwise they … Read more
Orff, Carmina Burana Even if you don’t know Carmina Burana, you will likely recognize the opening and closing theme O Fortuna. It has been used frequently in films and broadcasts. But this cantata’s enormous popularity lies in the energy and variety of its 25 movements. … Read more
Mintzer, New Mambo I want to start the New Year with something upbeat and optimistic, and few things deliver that better than big band music. New Mambo was composed by Bob Mintzer (b. 1953), a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger who directs the Germany-based WDR … Read more
Stravinsky, Octet for Wind Instruments Once you have set the music world on fire by writing The Rite of Spring, arguably the 20th century’s most consequential work, what do you do next? We answer that question this month with a detailed look at Stravinsky’s life … Read more
Saint-Saëns, Christmas Oratorio, Tecum Principium Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) wrote his Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12) early in his career when the composer was only 23 years old. It premiered on Christmas in 1858 at the Church of Saint-Marie-Madeleine (known commonly as “La Madeleine”). … Read more
McGlynn, Wexford Carol The Wexford Carol is an Irish folk song that probably dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It became popular through the efforts of William Grattan Flood, organist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy in the County of Wexford. Flood transcribed … Read more
Britten, A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) became one of England’s most notable composers in the years prior to World War II. He continued to hold a dominant position until his death. His most significant works include the operas Peter Grimes (1944) and Billy … Read more
J. S. Bach, Canonic Variations: Vom Himmel hoch If you are in Germany this Christmas, you will have many opportunities to hear the popular Christmas hymn Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her (From Heaven Above to Earth I Come). Martin Luther composed the hymn … Read more