Reich, Music for Pieces of Wood Steve Reich has been called “the most original musical thinker of our time” (The New Yorker), and “among the great composers of the century” (The New York Times). So begins Reich’s biography on the Boosey & Hawkes website. It … Read more
Britten, Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings I have previously mentioned my years, basically middle school through college, as a horn player. During that time, I frequently heard the name of Dennis Brain as the undisputed master of the instrument. Brain (1921-1957) had died quite … Read more
Berio, Black Is the Color Luciano Berio (1925-2003) was an Italian composer and a major figure in the avant-garde music of the 20th century. His cycle of eleven arrangements of folk songs is one of his most popular and frequently performed works. Titled simply Folk … Read more
Takemitsu, Requiem The Japanese composer Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996) became Japan’s leading composer of the 20th century writing with a predominantly Western musical vocabulary. He was conscripted into the Japanese army toward the end of World War II when he was a mere adolescent. At the … Read more
Finzi, Five Bagatelles (3 and 4) The music of Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) in many ways follows the style of his fellow British composers Sir Edward Elgar and his friend Ralph Vaughan Williams. Best known for his choral works and songs, Finzi’s Five Bagatelles, written for … Read more
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
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
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
Britten, A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) became one of England’s most notable composers in the years prior to World War II. He continued to hold a dominant position until his death. His most significant works include the operas Peter Grimes (1944) and Billy … Read more
James Barnes, Symphonic Overture James Barnes (b. 1949) and I crossed paths as graduate students at the University of Kansas in the mid 1970s. Jim worked primarily with the bands, and by that time my band days were basically over. So we were mostly involved … Read more