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
Corigliano: Lullaby for Natalie To understand why I am writing about this Lullaby, I have to give you a little background. My first experience hearing music by John Corigliano in concert nearly knocked me to the floor. It was his Symphony No. 3, known as Circus … Read more
Mozart: Symphonie Concertante in E-flat Major, K. 364 This week, we go back into the heart of the Classical era and take up Mozart for the first time. Mozart left his mark on all virtually all of the Classical genres. But I think his Symphonie Concertante, K. 364 … Read more
Google goes Classical. Or, at least High Baroque. Think of the millions of people who have seen Google’s doodle-logo (still up today) showing a fortepiano played by a wigged fellow, with the words Google etched on the side of the instrument. Think of the slice … Read more
