Strictly speaking this wasn’t part of my series posting music, but it occurred during that same time and I did post a video – although it was only an audio version.
Year: 2020
A Picture of Spain
Up until now this week has been about the distinctive sounds that a composer has created which evoke visions of his country. Today (just for a change) we have a French composer with a depiction of Spain. Compared to the ‘straightforward’ waltz rhythm of yesterday’s piece this is much more rhythmically complex.
THE Viennese Waltz
Although there are many Austrian composers for many people nothing says “Austrian Music” quite like the Vienna Waltz – and perhaps the most famous of all…
An Opera Without The Singing
From Bohemia we move westward – but not far – and the music of Wagner. There are few pieces of ‘classical’ music more beautiful than this.
His Country
There are many composers who produce music that manages to convey a real sense of the country they belong to. I have chosen one of those pieces for my “complete work” today.
How Could They Not
This week of exploring just some of the huge variety of sacred music began with a Salvation Army march that brought back memories of my “early years” at Govan and I complete the circle now by returning to those same roots and choosing a song that our Songster Brigade used on many occasions.
A Strangely Compelling Crossover
There is a wealth of Medieval and Renaissance music within the sacred music archives and today I link to an example of that from Spain.
Not What You Expect From Piotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky is not a composer who is particularly associated with sacred music – this piece is rather different from the likes of the 1812 Overture 😉 and fits rather well into my calm Friday slot.
An Unusual Lord’s Prayer
I heard this a couple of years ago and “filed it away” to listen to again. Like yesterday’s music this perhaps sounds a bit ‘unusual’ to those who are not used to it. The music of the orthodox churches seems to me to be mesmeric and haunting.
Central European Traditions
Continuing the theme…. we return from New Orleans to Europe – but very different from Monday’s Bruckner. I am aware that my music choices are sometimes aimed at quite a small audience and I suspect that this is one of those 🤔 Anyway, its been a while since we had some horn music.