Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21 Beethoven’s first symphony premiered in 1801 when Beethoven was 30 years old. His first two symphonies belong to his early period in which he wrote in a style not far removed from Mozart and Haydn. His … Read more
I was astonished to stumble across this picture. A Golden Book Gown! Apparently it uses 22,000 square inches of the shiny material that binds the “Little Golden Books.” You can read more here. Imagine what the publishers of the original dozen titles in 1942 (including … Read more
Scarlatti, Sonata in A Major, K. 113 Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) is best known for his 555 keyboard sonatas. I featured one his sonatas in this series more than three years ago. At this rate, I will need about 1700 years to get through them all. … Read more
Nothing is sweeter to me than the rhythm of the academic year. A new syllabus, a stack of new books, and a blank notebook all symbolize an ideal: a fresh start with unlimited possibilities. As part of our celebrating that “fresh start,” we’ve put everything … Read more
Recently we’ve become fond of a British vocal group called VOCES8. So today, Christmas Day 2017, we’d like to share their rendition of Lo How a Rose e’re Blooming (Es ist ein Ros entsprungen). A German tune first appearing in print in 1599, it is … Read more
Today, Dec. 5, on the third day of Advent. We’ll consider a tradition that occurs tomorrow (Dec. 6th)—the commemoration of an historical figure who is actually an old friend to most of us. Shoes and socks are important items. In Jesus’s world, the sandal reigned … Read more
Verdi, Va’ pensiero Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco premiered in 1842 when Verdi was not yet 30 years old. It would establish Verdi’s fame as an opera composer at a time when his own life was filled with loss and despair. The drama centers around King Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) … Read more
This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. Despite what the numbers on the commercial Advent calendars say, the duration of Advent is not always 24 days. It changes from year to year. Last year in 2016, Advent stretched its longest: 28 days. In fact, … Read more
Fanny Mendelssohn, String Quartet (2nd Movement) A couple of months ago, I featured a work by Clara Wieck Schumann, wife of the famous composer Robert Schumann. Today I’m turning to the sister of Felix Mendelssohn, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847). Like Clara, Fanny’s musical aptitude was recognized early. … Read more
Thanksgiving can wrap us in a swirl of recollections: autumn colors, savory flavors, delicious smells, and the sweet voices of persons long departed. The powerful memories start each Thanksgiving for me when I cradle my mother’s china, each chip bearing its own history. My mother … Read more