Even thirteen years after retiring from Southern Methodist University, I still dream about the second-floor classroom where most of our music-history classes took place. My memories of teaching at SMU are delicious ones. But the dreams I have about those years come sometimes as nightmares, … Read more
Berlioz, L’enfance du Christ (Shepherd’s Farewell) [We are posting this week’s Friday Performance Pick one day early so that it will be included in the Weekly Digest during the Christmas Season.] Throughout time, composers have been known to play musical jokes. Sometimes a piece merely … Read more
In my talks, I often make the point that music can be connected to everything. As it turns out, that that includes monster movies from 1954, particularly if a student takes a difficult classroom challenge and turns it into something that, decades later, still brings … Read more
Biebl, Ave Maria Although Franz Biebl (1906-2001) composed many works, he is known (so far) for just one. But if you are going to be remembered for a single work of about 6 minutes, you couldn’t do much better than this setting of Ave Maria. Composed … Read more
Merry Christmas to you all. Remember, it’s not over. There are twelve days of Christmas. Now that I am back home for a while, there’s time to think about ways to improve what we do. We want to offer more to our readers, students, and … Read more
Lauridsen, O Magnum Mysterium The poignant text of O magnum mysterium has been set many times. It appeared at least as early as the 10th century as a chant in the Daily Office of Matins. O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum, O great mystery, and … Read more
Evans and Nordqvist, Jul, jul, strålande jul Composed in 1921 by Gustaf Nordqvist and Edvard Evans, Jul, jul, strålande jul has become a Christmas standard in Sweden. My search for an English translation turned up very little, and that suggests to me that the song has … Read more
The Coventry Carol, arranged by Michael McGlynn Amid the joy and festivities of the Christmas season, we encounter a dark tale: the Slaughter of the Innocents. The story of King Herod ordering the death of Bethlehem’s male children under the age of two is recorded … Read more
Respighi, Pines of Rome I have considered trying to identify musical works likely to appeal to boys. I’m not sure how to define the age range, but I suspect it doesn’t matter. Music that appeals to young boys probably appeals to old boys. It’s like … Read more
Thanksgiving gatherings have begun to fade into memory. And whatever your strategy for avoiding (or indulging in) the retail phenomenon called “Black Friday,” this odd period is over too, or at least I hope it is over. Around here, Black Friday has been like the bad … Read more