Reynolds

Johann Sebastian Bach Born: 1685 in Eisenach Died: 1750 in Leipzig Era: Baroque What is a Toccata and Fugue? The word “toccata” comes from the Italian toccare (to touch). This type of instrumental piece was designed to highlight the performer’s technical ability—literally, how well the … Read more

Claudio Monteverdi Born: 1567 in Cremona Died: 1643 in Venice Era: Renaissance/Baroque Please refer to the Listening Form for further instruction. Claudio Monteverdi would be astonished to learn that his 1607 experimental opera Orfeo is still performed today. Called a favola in musica (fable in … Read more

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Born: 1756 in Salzburg Died: 1791 in Vienna Era: Classical Recordings Please refer to the Listening Form for further instruction. Two blasting chords announce the beginning Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni. The effect is brutal. So, too, is the dramatic silence between them. … Read more

Franz Schubert Born: 1797 in Vienna Died: 1828 in Vienna Era: Romantic Johann Carl Gottfried Loewe Born: 1796 in Löbejün, Germany Died: 1869 in Kiel Era: Romantic Please refer to the Listening Form for further instruction. The Ballad Erlkönig is a ballad penned by Johann … Read more

Igor Stravinsky Born: 1882 in Lomonosov, Russia Died: 1971 in New York City Era: Modern Please refer to the Listening Form for further instruction. The Firebird is a well-known character in many Russian fairy tales. But the task of turning it into a musical masterpiece … Read more