Nova Scotia Scott » Classical music

Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809

Scott Gilbreath — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:38:23 +0000

One of the greatest and most influential classical composers died in Vienna 200 years ago today. Among his many achievements, Franz Joseph Haydn was the first to compose four-part music for two violins, a viola and a cello on a regular basis, making him the “Father of the String Quartet”. He was also a key contributor to the development of three other now-standard classical forms: the piano trio, the sonata, and the symphony.

In his honour, here is the second movement of Haydn’s “Emperor” Quartet, Op. 76, no. 3.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFXRWUicWU0[/youtube]

The tune was adapted from his popular patriotic song, “Gott, erhalte Franz, den Kaiser” (“God save Emperor Franz”), and was later used for Germany’s national anthem “Das Deutschlandleid”. Many Christians recognise it as the music for John Newton’s inspiring hymn “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”.

Another Haydn string quartet previously blogged here is “The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross”, Op. 51.

AllMusic Blog has posted a Haydn tribute with a list of recommended recorded performances of his works.

Handel: Worthy Is the Lamb/Amen

Scott Gilbreath — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 09:00:43 +0000

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4IunU9_Qg[/youtube]

From George Frideric Handel’s sacred oratorio Messiah:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.” (based on Revelation 5:9,12-13)

Haydn: Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ

Scott Gilbreath — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:25:13 +0000

Joseph Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ, String Quartet Op. 51, Sonata IV: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? (My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?), performed by Kreativ Ensemble.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEiVmousVGo[/youtube]

The seven words (or sayings) of Jesus on the Cross:

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (St Luke 23:34)
Verily, I say unto thee, this day you shalt thou be with me in Paradise (St Luke 23:43)
Woman, behold thy son: Behold thy mother (St John 19:26-27)
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? (My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?) St Matthew 27:46 and St Mark 15:34)
I thirst (St John 19:28)
It is finished (St John 19:30)
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit (St Luke 23:46)

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20

Scott Gilbreath — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:54:14 +0000

Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 20 in D minor, K. 466, is one of the most stirring and dramatic pieces he ever composed. Not surprisingly, it was one of Beethoven’s favourites.

Here the first (Allegro) movement is performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Pierre Boulez. The pianist is the renowned Maria Joao Pires.

[dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xs5xa_1-mozart-concerto-n20-joao-pires_music[/dailymotion]

Happy 200th, Felix Mendelssohn

Scott Gilbreath — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:14:54 +0000

Felix Mendelssohn was born on this day in 1809. His fortunes in popular esteem have had their ups and downs.

He was thought of as a genius during his lifetime, then thought of as too old-fashioned by the late-Romantic, Austro-Germanic musical scene, but hailed in Victorian England. During World War II, Nazi Germany tried to thoroughly bury his reputation, while in America and elsewhere in the last half of the 20th century his music was generally treated as being lightweight fluff, mostly because of overuse of a small number of pieces.

Today, his most highly regarded works are his Octet for strings, Op. 20 (written when he was 16!) and his Violin Concerto, Op. 64.

I’m sure it’s terribly unfashionable these days, but another of my favourites is Symphony No. 5 (“Reformation”), Op. 107. The fourth movement incorporates Martin Luther’s great hymn Ein feste Burg.

Check out the short excerpts from many of his works posted at The Allmusic Blog.

For unto a child is born

Scott Gilbreath — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:00:08 +0000

Handel’s Messiah, “For unto us a child is born”, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Tenebrae Choir, conducted by Sir Colin Davis.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc[/youtube]

For to us a child is born,
unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon His shoulder;
and His name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)

Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat

Scott Gilbreath — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:35:20 +0000

I’ve been feeling unwell for a few days and, although I was looking forward to spending several hours blogging today, I’m still not up to it. (Nothing serious, I hope: just a bad headache and fatigue.)

It’s a good day to listen to Bach’s Magnificat. This is the first part of his choral masterpiece, performed by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, conducted by the great Ton Koopman.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N645mLUnguc[/youtube]

“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”: “My soul magnifies the Lord”.

Click here to play all four parts sequentially.