Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain Some people like to associate the tone poem Night on Bald Mountain with Halloween. I could have featured this work in late October to coincide with that occasion, but I think that would only confuse things. Mussorgsky originally titled the work St. John’s … Read more
Sibelius: Finlandia (Op. 26) A few weeks ago, I selected a work by Smetana for the simple reason that I was traveling to Prague. It wasn’t a frivolous choice. I would have gotten around to Smetana sooner or later. It was just a convenient reason … Read more
Dvořák: Nocturne in B Major, Op. 40 While Professor Carol is still in the Czech Republic, let’s continue with the Czech theme for one more week. Last week we listened to Smetana. Another giant of Czech music, who followed very much in the path of … Read more
Smetana: The Bartered Bride Overture Wake up! Last week’s lullaby is over and it’s time for more spirited fare. This coming week finds Professor Carol in Prague for the start of her boat tour down the Elbe for Smithsonian Journeys. It’s such tough duty that … Read more
Holst: The Planets (IV Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity) If you grew up listening to the musical themes from Star Trek and Star Wars, you will find the sounds of Gustav Holst’s The Planets quite familiar. (No, I’m not even suggesting musical plagiarism, a subject … Read more
Ginastera: Danzas argentinas, Op. 2 A few weeks ago, I commented that we were featuring performances by composers who are not generally listed among the “great masters.” But looking back over the past 23 weeks, I see mostly famous names. So I’m ready to venture into … Read more
