What do we hear? Really hear? One of the first challenges in studying the arts involves paying attention to what we hear and see. Let’s start with the music we hear. Tell the truth: have you ever listened to the radio and been unable to … Read more
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 I grew up playing band arrangements of Shostakovich’s symphonic music. They were some of the more challenging works we took on as students, and Shostakovich wrote interesting horn parts. So I developed an early interest in his music. I still … Read more
Bernstein/Pierobon: West Side Story Suite West Side Story changed the face of American music. So says Professor Carol, and I believe her. In fact, in you want to delve into this topic, you can find a podcast that Carol did a few years ago explaining how … Read more
It wasn’t a bend in the river, but a terrace on land that fascinated many of us during our Smithsonian Journey’s 2015 Elbe River tour. On a day boasting luminous skies and perfect temperature, we visited Cecelienhof to retrace the events of the Potsdam Conference. Although … Read more
Quantz: Capriccio in G Major Yesterday began in Brandenburg an der Havel, at least for Professor Carol and me as we neared the end of our journey on the Elbe River from Prague to Berlin. The rest of the day was spent in Potsdam, the … Read more
Dvořák: Nocturne in B Major, Op. 40 While Professor Carol is still in the Czech Republic, let’s continue with the Czech theme for one more week. Last week we listened to Smetana. Another giant of Czech music, who followed very much in the path of … Read more
I get asked this a lot. Perhaps you do too. I always wonder, is it a trick question? Maybe the questioner loves Bach and hopes I’ll agree. Maybe the hope is that I’ll say “Beethoven” and a good debate can ensue. There is no best … Read more
Smetana: The Bartered Bride Overture Wake up! Last week’s lullaby is over and it’s time for more spirited fare. This coming week finds Professor Carol in Prague for the start of her boat tour down the Elbe for Smithsonian Journeys. It’s such tough duty that … Read more
Johann Sebastian Bach Born: 1685 in Eisenach Died: 1750 in Leipzig Era: Baroque Please refer to the Listening Form for further instruction. What is a Concerto? Musical terms can be confusing because sometimes a term that means one thing in one era means something different … Read more
