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Continue reading →: Sergei Rachmaninov – Symphonic DancesSergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) wrote Symphonic Dances in 1940, at the very end of his life. It is his final major composition, and his only piece written in its entirety while living in the United States.
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Continue reading →: Francis Poulenc – Concerto for organ, timpani and stringsConcerto for organ, timpani and strings by Francis Poulenc is not a typical baroque-sounding piece, even though it might sound like it at first. It’s actually a game-changer from the 20th century.
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Continue reading →: Ottorino Respighi – Pines of RomeIn 1923, Ottorino Respighi (1879 -1936) moved from Bologna to Rome. The Capital immediately struck him with its marvelous fountains and its characteristic pine trees with their distinctive umbrella shape.
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Continue reading →: Hindemith – Mathis der MalerIn the early 1930s, Paul Hindemith was working on an opera called Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter), based on the life of Matthias Grünewald, a Renaissance painter known for his emotional and spiritual Isenheim altarpiece. The story of the opera was about an artist struggling between creating his art…
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Continue reading →: Smetana – String Quartet No. 1 “From My Life”Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 “From My Life” (1876), isn’t just music. It tells the story of his life, from youthful dreams to the devastating moment he lost his hearing.
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Continue reading →: Tchaikovsky – 6th Symphony PathetiqueTchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, the Pathétique, was his last symphony. The composer died just nine days after conducting its premiere in 1893. Some believe the music hints at his own death. Others think the symphony hides a secret programme Tchaikovsky had never disclosed.
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Continue reading →: Sergei Prokofiev – Scythian SuiteThe Scythian Suite by Sergei Prokofiev is a wild, explosive orchestral work with a fascinating backstory.
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Continue reading →: Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G majorMaurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major is one of the most brilliant and original works in the 20th-century piano repertoire. It’s lively, colorful, and blends jazz influences with the European classical tradition, creating a unique mix that left its mark on music history.
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Continue reading →: Stravinskij’s PetruskaIgor Stravinskij’s Petruska is a masterpiece that everyone should hear at least once. The first five minutes are an exceptional example of Stravinsky’s absolute genius.
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Continue reading →: What “classical music” is for meIf someone asked me to tell what “classical music” is, I would pick a passage from the Balakirev’s 1st Symphony. The way the clarinet opens the third movement is just an excuse to create beauty and wonder.
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