Loewe, Erlkönig Carl Loewe (1796-1869) began his musical studies as a choirboy in Köthen, a town where J. S. Bach had earlier held a court appointment. He was noted for his excellent singing voice and as a child had sung the famous Queen of the … Read more
Brahms, Violin Concerto Johannes Brahms composed only one concerto for violin, considered now one of the gems of the repertoire. It was not so well received at its 1879 premiere in Leipzig. Only after the turn of the century did it find its place in … Read more
I’m currently spending some time at the Professor Carol remote headquarters in Germany. Most of the concert and theater venues here are dark for the summer months, but organ music continues year round. I attended an organ recital at the Marienkirche in Lübeck where Dieterich … Read more
Chopin, Życzenie A Maiden’s Wish, Op. 74, No. 1 Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) wrote almost exclusively for the piano. It was an unusual choice for a composer at the time when success was achieved primarily by creating large scale works—operas and symphonies. Chopin wrote two piano … Read more
Wagner, Die Meistersinger Prelude We have had numerous occasions to discuss the “singers’ wars” in our courses and various other materials on this website. Richard Wagner built his opera Tannhäuser around this competition (Sängerkrieg) of the Minnesingers that occurred at the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach. … Read more
Josef Rheinberger, Kyrie from Mass in E-Flat Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) is known primarily for his 20 organ sonatas. His writings extend well beyond organ works, however, and include two symphonies, concertos, chamber music, two operas plus other dramatic works, masses, cantatas, motets, and Lieder. Most … Read more
Chopin, Barcarolle Barcarolles or boat songs were folk songs traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers. They became particularly popular in the early 19th century and influenced the character of opera arias. Some composers even turned them into purely instrumental character pieces for the piano or other … Read more
Sibelius, The Oceanides After Wellerman last week, we might as well continue with the sea theme. Artists have found numerous ways to portray the natural elements. For composers, it’s a bit more complicated since music lacks the concrete imagery that can be found in other … Read more
Zemlinsky, Waldgespräch “It is already late, already cold,” says the knight to a lady riding alone through the woods. He will save her and guide her home. She is broken-hearted and riding after the sound of the hunting horn. “Flee,” she tells the knight. “You … Read more
Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a classicist and promoter of Baroque music who built on the Romantic ideal of using literary forms and other extra-musical material for his inspiration. He shared with Mozart the fate of being an astonishing child prodigy … Read more