Shostakovich, Galop The galop was a popular ballroom dance in the 19th century that took its name, as you might expect, from the galloping of horses. It was fast and furious. Galops tended to be short, lasting only a couple of minutes, since otherwise they … Read more
In choosing a name for our new webinar series, I was drawn to the term “milestones.” According to one of my favorite etymological sources, milestone came into common usage in the 1740s as a designation for stones set at mile-intervals along English roads. This information, … Read more
Orff, Carmina Burana Even if you don’t know Carmina Burana, you will likely recognize the opening and closing theme O Fortuna. It has been used frequently in films and broadcasts. But this cantata’s enormous popularity lies in the energy and variety of its 25 movements. … Read more
A conversation with a young friend entering the second semester of her freshman year evoked this topic. Happily, she managed to avoid encountering what she aptly called “the cussing professor” in her first semester at this small Liberal-Arts college. This semester, though, she is not … Read more
Mintzer, New Mambo I want to start the New Year with something upbeat and optimistic, and few things deliver that better than big band music. New Mambo was composed by Bob Mintzer (b. 1953), a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger who directs the Germany-based WDR … Read more
I love the first week of January, despite often grim weather and inevitable trials of holiday chaos and holiday guilt. Holiday chaos primarily refers to those boxes and bags strewn across the garage awaiting the return of wreaths, decorations, Christmas linens, and a ridiculous lineup … Read more
Stravinsky, Octet for Wind Instruments Once you have set the music world on fire by writing The Rite of Spring, arguably the 20th century’s most consequential work, what do you do next? We answer that question this month with a detailed look at Stravinsky’s life … Read more
Saint-Saëns, Christmas Oratorio, Tecum Principium Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) wrote his Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12) early in his career when the composer was only 23 years old. It premiered on Christmas in 1858 at the Church of Saint-Marie-Madeleine (known commonly as “La Madeleine”). … Read more
Advent is coming to an end and Christmas Eve will be fast upon us. Here in Germany, Christmas Eve reigns as the most significant part of the season, framed by hushed family and church traditions. Increasingly vibrant festivities break out on December 25th (Christmas Day … Read more
McGlynn, Wexford Carol The Wexford Carol is an Irish folk song that probably dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It became popular through the efforts of William Grattan Flood, organist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy in the County of Wexford. Flood transcribed … Read more