All Entries Tagged With: "piano"

Louis Andriessen: The Nine Symphonies Of Beethoven

Louis Andriessen b. 1939
The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven for orchestra and ice cream bell (1970)
Louis Andriessen was born into an extraordinarily musical family. His father and uncle were well-respected Dutch composers and his brother and sister also took up the trade. After studying at the Hague Conservatory, Andriessen went to [...]

Quiz #22: Behind The Curtain

Ok folks, midnight has passed and it’s now time to reveal the mystery information.
This week’s piece is Les Barricades Misterieuses by François Couperin (1668-1733), written in 1716-17 as part of his second book of pieces for harpsichord. Couperin was born into a family of organists and was appointed to a position at the court [...]

Quiz #22: Clue One

Some strong replies right out of the gate but not to worry everyone else…it’s clues to the rescue! Besides, we’re in this for the long haul, so it’s always worth making a guess.

Have another listen while you’re pondering these clues:

The composer’s job title was ‘ordinaire de la musique de la chambre du Roi.‘

In the [...]

Aaaaand we’re back

Well sort of. Nearly.
Lots in the works for this space in the upcoming months.
The Quiz and Spine Tinglers are back as well as some new features and the usual commentary/recycling of other people’s news. Things will be gearing up slowly this week with the aim of getting ready for full throttle activity starting on [...]

Rautavaara: Piano Concerto No. 1 Op 45

Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928)
[pronounced: Eye-know-joo-ha-nee Row (rhymes with now)-tah-VAH-rah]
Piano Concerto No.1 Op. 45 (1969)
Con grandezza
Andante
Molto Vivace
Like most composers who have been afforded the luxury of sixty plus years in which to refine their craft, Einojuhani Rautavaara has gone through a complex stylistic development over the course of his career. As Sibelius’ natural successor, Rautavaara [...]

Beethoven Piano Sonata Op 111

Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111
Maestoso - Allegro con brio e appassionato
Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile
Beethoven still had five years left to live when he wrote this sonata but in many ways it feels like a definite end. The thirty two piano sonatas has spanned nearly thirty years of his [...]

Beethoven Piano Sonata Op 110

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110
Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
Allegro molto
Adagio ma non troppo
Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
On paper, Op 110 is a traditional four-movement sonata. In reality however the work is a further example of the dissolution of sonata form within the outer movements as well [...]