There are many composers who had eventful lives – it seems that it was rarely an easy life.
George McConnell
Old Tune – New Variant
There are many hymn tunes that can sound very dreary unless they are given a bit extra. Here is an old hymn which, in this setting, is much more uplifting than it can be sometimes.
Scary Music
A late one tonight!! Something suitable for October 31st.
A Magic Brass Quintet
This has been on my list of “pieces for Friday” for a while. It is from one of my favourite Canadian Brass CDs – “Magic Horn” (and is also a great video!!)
My Last Sermon!
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.
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.