Handel, Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together/Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder We decided to present a webinar on Parts II and III of Handel’s Messiah during Holy Week, having already done Part I (the Christmas part) in December. Part II deals with … 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
J. S. Bach, Canonic Variations: Vom Himmel hoch If you are in Germany this Christmas, you will have many opportunities to hear the popular Christmas hymn Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her (From Heaven Above to Earth I Come). Martin Luther composed the hymn … Read more
Mouret, Rondeau This rondeau by French composer Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738) will be instantly recognized by many as the musical theme for the television series Masterpiece Theater. Some of the best television drama, much of it produced by the BBC, aired as part of the series … Read more
Buxtehude, Erfreue dich, Erde The cantata Erfreue dich, Erde (BuxWV 26) is referred to as a “parody” because the composer Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) had written the music and performed it earlier in a different form. There was nothing unusual about that. In his position at … Read more
Bach, Prelude and Fugue in D Major (WTC Book I) J. S. Bach wrote two books of music known as The Well-Tempered Clavier (Books 1 and 2). Each book contains 24 Preludes and Fugues, a Prelude and Fugue for each of the 24 major and … Read more
Vivaldi, Concerto No. 11, Op. 3 (L’estro Armonico) Most people are familiar with the concertos of Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) known as The Four Seasons written in 1723. We featured that work here. But Vivaldi composed more than 500 concertos. His first collection of concertos, opus … Read more
Carissimi, Plorate, Filii Israel (from Jephte) The oratorio was developed in Italy during the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s response to Lutheran reforms. The priest Philip Neri (1515-1595) began holding prayer services during the penitential season of Lent in the Oratory (prayer hall). Music was important … Read more
Schütz, Alleluia: Lobet den Herren Psalm 150 catalogues the many instruments to be used in praising God: trumpets, lutes, harps, strings, pipes, drums, and cymbals. I suspect there was no intent to exclude others that didn’t make the list. The Psalm is an open invitation … Read more
François Couperin, Leçons de tenèbres François Couperin (1668-1733) is known as “le Grand” to distinguish him from several other members of his family that were important musicians of the time. We featured his uncle Louis Couperin in this series last summer. The Couperin family was … Read more