SUNDAY MORNING CLASSICS ON TBP – THIRD ANNUAL EDITION

ADMIN COMMENT: I would like to congratulate Steve and the gang for three years of trying to culture you monkeys. Based on Friday Fail, they have a tough row to hoe. These posts certainly add value to TBP and more people should check it out every week on Sunday mornings. Maybe we can get it up to 1,000 comments, like Friday Fail. 🙂

This is our third annual Anniversary Edition of this feature on TBP. We are now starting our fourth year here at TBP. Who knew?

We make this and our annual Christmas Edition special by going all out and featuring anything that we want to post.

I keep the main feature Classical, but then we add anything that we want to add to our ‘shorts’ that follow.

So come and see us. Post your own favorite music in the comments section. It can be anything that you want. Jazz, Rock, Hard Rock, Classical, anything.

We want to take this time to thank everyone on TBP for allowing us to post these past three years. We hope to have many more.

Steve C.

A collaboration of: “The Classic Music Mafia”
Anthony Aaron, nkit, and Steve C.

Every Sunday morning we present selections for our TBP family to enjoy.

We present symphonies, ensembles, quartets, octets, etc.

Not all of our music is strictly ‘classical’. We may stray a little, but we strive to make all of our selections ‘classy’.

We offer tips on proper ‘symphony etiquette’ and even some selections that are a bit light-hearted and fun aimed at a younger audience. Those pieces will be so designated, and might be a good way to introduce kids to a world of music that they might not have been exposed to or think of as old and ‘stuffy’.

A full symphony will run as long as it will. We don’t want to cut a symphony short. However, we also include some shorter pieces that we try to keep under fifteen minutes in length. You can sample each and hopefully find one or more that pleases you.

We hope that you enjoy our Sunday selections.


Steve C.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral

Since we started out with this symphony from our very first day and in each of our anniversary editions since, I thought that we’d stay the course.

Here is yet another version of this beautiful symphony:
Bernard Haitink and Berlin Philharmonic perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major op. 68, the “Pastoral,” at the Festspielhaus Baden Baden, 2015.

Beethoven composed his 6th Symphony about nature in 1807 and 1808. The Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 has five movements, not four, and along with the usual tempo indications, Beethoven gave them descriptive headings too. The Sixth, known as the “Pastoral,” begins with “Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside,” to be taken at an “Allegro ma non troppo” speed (fast but not exceedingly so).

But there are actually many tempos, moods, feelings and effects in the first movement of Beethoven’s Sixth. One thing is missing, though: that forward thrust so typical for Beethoven; the struggle and the passion in striving for a goal. Instead, the main theme is repeated, and in parts of the first movement, time seems to slow down and even stand still.

The Symphony No. 6 isn’t a graphic musical depiction of nature, though. As Ludwig van Beethoven personally wrote over the first movement: “More an expression of feeling than tone-painting.” Use your imagination while listening to the second movement of Beethoven’s Sixth, and you can hear ripples on a creek and birds tweeting. To make it clear, Beethoven added a description, “Scene by the Brook,” to go with the tempo heading “Andante molto mosso” (as though walking, very moving).

Beethoven only rarely explained his music, but in this case, he added: “It’s left to the listener to figure out the situations. Anyone who has any idea of life in the countryside can discern the composer’s intent even without titles or headings.”

For the musicians, Beethoven goes into greater detail, writing in the score that the calls of the nightingale, the quail and the cuckoo are rendered by the flute, the oboe and two clarinets. The triple-movement episode begins with a “Merry gathering of country folk,” with “Allegro” (rapid-action) the specified tempo.

Altogether, the Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68 anticipates what later went by the name of “program music:” music that describes a situation or tells a story. In the “merry gathering” we hear an oom-pah-pah village band that doesn’t quite play together but, for that, is all the more boisterous. “My decree,” wrote Ludwig van Beethoven: “Stay in the countryside. My unfortunate hearing problem doesn’t plague me here. It’s as though, in the country, every tree was speaking to me. Holy, holy! Who can express it all? Sweet quietude of the forest!”

That sweet quietude comes to an abrupt end in the fourth movement of the Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68. It’s titled “Thunder, Storm,” and the composer specified it to be taken at a fast clip, “Allegro.”

It’s the shortest but most dramatic movement in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony. Thunder, screeching wind and a downpour are all clearly audible, while images come to mind from Walt Disney’s 1940 animated film “Fantasia,” where the Greek god Jupiter gleefully hurtles bolts of lightning and makes terrified villagers flee for shelter.

After the merry gathering of the countryfolk and the storm comes the finale of Beethoven’s Sixth, titled “Shepherd’s song. Cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm,” with the Italian tempo mark “Allegretto” (slightly fast).

(00:00) Opening
(00:18) I. Allegro ma non troppo: Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande / Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside
(12:43) II. Andante molto mosso: Szene am Bach / Scene by the brook
(24:42) III. Allegro: Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute / Merry gathering of the countryfolk
(30:15) IV. Allegro: Gewitter, Sturm / Thunderstorm
(34:16) V. Allegretto: Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm / Shepherd’s song. Glad and grateful feelings after the storm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ORsinmqm0M

Anthony Aaron

Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: I, II, & III. Lento – Sostenuto Tranquillo Ma Cantabile

A small, pocket-sized movie that is a favorite of mine is ‘Fearless’ (1993), starring Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Tom Hulce and Rosie Perez.

Bridges and Perez are survivors of a plane crash — Bridges leads many of the passengers to safety and afterward embarks on a series of events trying out his new-found lack of vulnerability.

The closing scene is his reliving of the near-death experience from that crash … and the background is a magnificent piece of music by Henryk Górecki, ‘Lento, sostenuto tranquillo ma cantabile’ from his Symphony No. 3, Op. 36.

According to a NY Times article in 2017, a record executive attended a London performance of Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, subtitled ‘Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs’. He was overwhelmed by the symphony, and immediately sought out soprano Dawn Upshaw, who agreed to record the symphony with conductor David Zinman and the London Sinfonietta on the Nonesuch label.

The initial projection was that it’d sell 25,000 or 30,000 copies … but within a year of the April, 1992, release date, it was selling 10,000 copies PER DAY. It went on to sell more than 1,000,000 copies … This is a studio recording of that symphony.

Sir Gilbert Levine conducts Gorecki Symphony 3, Mvt. 2

Here is a live version of the 2d Movement with Sir Gilbert Levine conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring soprano Zofia Kilanowicz …

Vangelis – Chariots Of Fire (Mythodea 2001)

Some of the music in movies and television is existing music or cover performances of existing music — classical, jazz, rock — or composed specifically for the movie.

Of this latter type, some has become somewhat ‘classic’ in the sense that it appeals long after the movie may have been forgotten …

Case in point, ‘Chariots of Fire’, by Vangelis, from the 1981 movie by the same name. Vangelis composed the score for the movie, but the most memorable piece is the one called ‘Titles’ in the album …

This is a performance of that piece from a live performance in 2001 … Mythodea.

2CELLOS – Chariots of Fire

And a version by 2CELLOS …

Hans Zimmer – Thelma & Louise – Hans Zimmer Live – Orange – 05.06.2016

The movie ‘Thelma and Louise’ also has a memorable theme, ‘Thunderbird’, composed by Hans Zimmer — notable very early on for all of the music tracks on the iconic series, ‘Miami Vice’ …

This is from a live performance in 2016 … featuring Guthrie Govan on guitar … (sorry, that’s all the alliteration for today).

Hans Zimmer – The Da Vinci Code – Hans Zimmer Live – Köln – 28.04.2016

Zimmer also composed the theme for ‘The Da Vinci Code’ …

Departures / Cécile Grüebler

‘Departures’ is a 2008 Japanese film about a young man whose career as a cellist is cut short when the symphony orchestra in which he played was disbanded — and he must seek other work to support his wife. It is a beautifully done film …

The title piece was composed by Joe Hisaishi …

Gregorian – With Or Without You Live in Prague (U2)

A while back, someone made the point that we should consider various renditions of a given piece of music … something that’s especially common in classical music.

But non-classical music has its interpreters, too – otherwise known as ‘covers’. Above, I listed 2CELLOS as performing pieces by others … and I’ve recently come across another group doing covers of some of my favorite non-classical music – Gregorian. There are, of course, many others.

Here are some originals and their covers’ …

2CELLOS – With Or Without You [LIVE at Arena Pula]

Gregorian – Stairway To Heaven

Stairway to Heaven-Heart

GREGORIAN ~ Brothers In Arms (Live)

Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms LIVE (On the Night, 1993)

John Denver – Rocky Mountain High (from The Wildlife Concert)

And for a small sampling of meaningful blasts from my past …

John Denver occupied a happy part of my musical life in the mid-‘70s – gentle songs that somehow took me and my special lady and her daughter away from the big city life to a more remote and peaceful place … like, for example, the Rocky Mountains …

John Denver – Sunshine On My Shoulders (from The Wildlife Concert)

John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads (from The Wildlife Concert)

John Denver – Annie’s Song (from The Wildlife Concert)

Crazy On You – Heart – live 2013Y

You can’t beat Nancy’s guitar playing and Ann’s vocals …

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac – 1997

Layla Live – Eric Clapton *Best Performance Ever* Crazy Solo!

… one of the ‘anthems’ of my misspent youth …

Yusuf / Cat Stevens – Peace Train (live, Majikat – Earth Tour 1976)

… another of the ‘anthems’ of my past – long one of my favorites … If you ever want a great selection of Cat Stevens’ music PLUS a good movie, then treat yourself to ‘Harold and Maude’, which contains 9 of his tunes …

nkit

So, it’s anniversary time again. Another trip around the drum. After considering my options, I decided to post some music that I have posted over the last three years.

Most of these pieces are relatively short, and are some of my favorites.

They are posted in no particular order, but the first is truly a favorite.

Morricone conducts Morricone: The Mission (Gabriel’s Oboe)

Morricone conducts Morricone : The Mission (Gabriel’s Oboe)

Italian Symphonic Ecstasy with Stunning Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra

Italian Symphonic Ecstasy With Stunning Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra

Rossini – The Barber of Seville, Overture – Temirkanov

The Barber of Seville with Yuri Temirkanov

Handel Water Music: Hornpipe; FestspielOrchester Göttingen,

Laurence Cummings, director

Handel’s Water Music (with 2 Baroque Trumpets)

André Rieu – Ballade pour Adeline

Andre Rieu – Ballade Pour Adeline

Tomaso Albinoni – Adagio (best live version)

Tomaso Albinoni – Adagio (with pretty redhead on cello)

Gershwin: An American in Paris – Stunning Performance

Gershwin – An American in Paris

Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations (Johann Sebastian Bach)

Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations Johann Sebastian Bach

FSO – Dances with Wolves – “The John Dunbar Theme” (John Barry)

FSO (Film Symphony Orchestra) Dances With Wolves (The John Dunbar Theme)

From “The Pianist”: Chopin Nocturne C sharp minor (Arjen Seinen – Piano)

Chopin – Nocturne C Sharp minor

Opera – Verdi – Aida – Triumphal March – Lund International Choral Festival 2010 – Sweden

The Triumphal March from Verdi’s Aida

You Raise Me Up – AYAKO ISHIKAWA

Ayako Ishikawa – You raise me up

Chloe Feoranzo – Put ’em in a box

Chloe Feoranzo – Put ’em in a box

E. Morricone: La Califfa (medley Nuovo Cinema Paradiso)
Ennio Morricone – La Califfa (Medley Nuovo Cinema Paradiso)

John Scofield with DR Big Band // Boogie Stupid (Live)

Boogie Stupid John Schofield with the DR (Danish Radio) Big Band

Händel, Eternal source of light

Handel – Eternal Source of Light Divine Sylvia Scwartz

Vienna Philharmonic – Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op.11 (Summer Night Concert 2019)

Last, but no least, one for an original Music Mafia member – SMC

Vienna Philharmonic Orchester: Barber: Adagio For Strings

I hope you have enjoyed these reflections. Have a fantastic Sunday.

Steve C.

I have selected music that I’ve enjoyed over the course of my life. In it is some rock, some country, some jazz, and some just nice vocals.

It’s a look at my music selections over my life.

So, in more or less chronological order here goes.

I hope that you will enjoy it.

L-O-V-E

We’ll start this journey out with my favorite song from Nat King Cole.

It was featured in the final credits of the movie Swing Girls that I talked about in my post on Saxophones. (You can see it here…)

Beatles – If I Fell

My favorite song by The Beatles.

The Sweetheart Tree – Natalie Wood + H. Mancini (2 videos in 1)

Clip of Natalie Wood singing the theme song in the movie “The Great Race”, followed by composer Mancini’s version.

I hope that you enjoy this look at the movie.

The movie was released in 1965 and I had such a crush on Natalie Wood back then…sigh…

Bonnie Raitt – Home Live in Montreux Montreux 1977

I always enjoyed Bonnie Raitt and this song in particular.

I went to a lot of her concerts.

Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne “My Opening Farewell”

This song by her with Jackson Browne always appealed to me.

Linda Ronstadt – Blue Bayou (Official Music Video)

The very beautiful Linda singing a beautiful song.

Boy could she sing.

HEART – Mistral Wind

Sorry this is the album version of this song, but the live version sound was just nowhere near as good and it’s the sound that really matters.

I was such a big fan of this band in the late 1970’s and early eighties.

I was working as a traveling salesman in those days and I caught them at almost every show they did in NY State and Canada.

I think this is their best song.

FAUSTO PAPETTI Summertime Romantic smooth saxophone

And now for some jazz.

By now everybody knows that I used to play the saxophone and I always liked this song.

Dire Straits – The Bug LIVE (On the Night, 1993) HD

Getting a little more modern here.

One of my favorite videos.

George Strait – Adalida

Well, I am a Texan so it’s time for some George Strait.

This is one of my favorites.

Kathy Mattea – Clown In Your Rodeo

And now some more country music.

It isn’t all dreary stuff…

Irish Lullaby – Nicolette Larson

Since I didn’t really know where exactly to put this, I’ll just put it here.

All the photos are from Ireland.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Big Time Operator

Time for some more jazz.

I think these guys are great!

Celtic Woman – You Raise Me Up

This is a great version of this wonderful song.

Celtic Woman – Fields Of Gold

Lisa Kelly does a great job on this song.

The Carpenters – Desperado

I know, I know. More of the Carpenters They’re out of place here, but our anniversary edition just wouldn’t be complete without them.

Here Karen does a great version of Desperado.

Sorry Linda, but she outdoes you on this one.

Karen Carpenter-Don’t Cry For Me Argentina

Karen Carpenter originally recorded this song to show just how versatile her voice was. And it was.

This is the most beautiful version of this song I’ve ever heard.

As you can see, my music selections have been a variety of things. They always have been and I presume they always will be.

If there were room, I’d have added more. Maybe next year…

The Classic Music Mafia – Adding some class to this joint one Sunday at a time.

Heaven help us…

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