Hank Reynolds
Albéniz, Asturias You may recall my post a couple of years ago on Francisco Tárrega. A prominent composer for classical guitar, he ran away at age 10 to play in restaurants and again at age 13 to join a band of gypsies. Tárrega had nothing on … Read more
Glinka, Viola Sonata in D Minor (1st movement) Rodney Dangerfield might say the viola gets no respect. That’s not quite true, but the viola does not enjoy much time in the limelight. It has become the subject of numerous jokes among musicians: What is the … Read more
Guastavino, Pampamapa There’s a simple way to get to know unfamiliar music: listen to it over and over again. One of my professors who was constantly introducing us to new music always stressed the importance of listening twice, the second time immediately after the first. … Read more
Someone remarked to me recently that he didn’t know Professor Carol dealt with art history. He just thought of her as the “music lady.” Au contraire. Professor Carol’s history courses are filled with art. You don’t have to look past the cover to see it … Read more
Gabrieli, Beata es virgo a6 Giovanni Gabrieli (1554/57 – 1612) is firmly linked with the basilica of Saint Mark’s in Venice. We addressed the architecture of the basilica and how it affected Gabrieli’s music a few years ago when we featured his Canzon septimi toni. … Read more
Wade in the Water The a cappella vocal ensemble “Sweet Honey in the Rock” was formed in 1973. The name comes from Psalm 81:16: “and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” Initially comprised of four singers, the group expanded to … Read more
Schoenberg, Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night) This is Andrew Pudewa‘s challenge. Professor Carol and I were having dinner with Andrew recently when the subject of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) came up. Now, not everybody is a fan of Schoenberg. Those of us in classical education who have a … Read more
Beethoven, Egmont Overture, Op. 84 Lamoral, Count of Egmont (1522-1568) became a martyr in the fight for independence in the Spanish Netherlands. During the Great Iconoclasm, he had favored restraint in dealing with the Calvinists. The Duke of Alba was sent from Spain to put … Read more
Chopin, Polonaise in A-Flat, op. 53 The Polonaise is a stately processional dance used in various ceremonial occasions, but particularly in weddings. It has its roots in Polish folk music with melodies consisting of short phrases typically cast in triple meter. In its earliest forms … Read more
Schubert, Piano Quintet in A Major (“Trout”) Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet gets its name from the fourth movement (at 21:21), a set of variations on Schubert’s song Die Forelle (trout). The quintet was composed in 1819 but not published until 1829, after Schubert’s death. The work … Read more