Mason, O Look to Golgotha Lowell Mason (1792-1872) figures prominently in the history of American music. You are most likely to know him as a hymnodist: composer of Nearer My God to Thee, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun and for … Read more
Two great “hushes” fall in the Christian liturgical calendar. The first, Christmas Eve, is marked by well-known music, including the iconic Silent Night. But the music expressing the hush of Holy Week will not jingle from loudspeakers in stores during Lent. Instead, the music that … Read more
Giuseppe Sammartini, Concerto for Recorder and Strings Giuseppe Sammartini (1695 – 1750) could easily be confused with his younger brother Giovanni Battista Sammartini (c. 1700 – 1775). The “Sammartini Brothers” were listed as oboists in Milan in 1720, which is probably a reference to Giuseppe … Read more
Chambonnières, Sarabande Jacques Champion de Chambonnières (1601/2 – 1672) is described as the founder and one of the most distinguished members of the French classical school of harpsichord playing. We know little of his early life, but his reputation as harpsichordist was firmly established prior … Read more
“Let’s draw!” It was 8:05 in the morning. We had just driven home from school after arriving to the parking lot and discovering a one-hour delay. A hazardous swirl of frosty fog had dictated the delay, but we hadn’t gotten the message. My grandchildren’s little … Read more
Stanford, Beati Quorum Via I often turn to Irish music in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. This year, I’m featuring a Latin motet by English composer Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924). Beati quorum via bears none of the marks of traditional Irish music. Sanford was, however, … Read more
“Have you seen The Man in the High Castle“? Countless times this question has arisen in my social and professional situations, particularly during leisurely dinner discussions that shape the evenings of our Smithsonian Journeys’ tours. My answer hitherto has been “no.” If pushed (“Really? With … Read more
Galuppi, Sonata in B-Flat Simpler melodies, lighter texture, moving easily from the expression of one emotion to another: these characteristics strongly contrasted with the aesthetics of the late Baroque, the contrapuntal complexity of J. S. Bach, Handel, and Telemann. The new style was called galant or, in … Read more
Spring is here (or at least on its way, depending on your location). Accordingly, we have given our website a new look. For some of our readers, the new look won’t make much difference. But for others, especially those just getting to know us, this … Read more
Reicha, Woodwind Quintet, Op. 88, No. 2 I once considered writing my doctoral dissertation on Anton Reicha (1770-1836). For a variety of reasons, that didn’t happen, and I eventually chose a very different topic. But the under-researched Reicha offered plenty of material for a music … Read more