March 28, 2024
This month, we will explore the works of Baroque composers.
Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto Grosso in D Major, Opus 6, No. 1
Concerto Grosso is a musical form used by composers in the Baroque period.
The Baroque Period is one of my favorites.
Finding the score for the piece and following the music as you listen would be more beneficial.
Notice how the small group of players called the concertino and the larger group called the tutti alternate the music.
April 4, 2024
We continue with the Baroque period and listen another concerto grosso this week.
Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso in G minor, Opus 3, No. 2.
Compare the instrumentation of last week's Concerto Grosso by Corelli to that of Antonio Vivaldi's.
Find Out
More composers that have composed Concerto Grossi in the Baroque period.
Happy Listening!
April 11, 2024
Let's listen to Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, the Italian composer, this week.
Concerto for Strings in D Major, Op. 9 No. 7
I love the liveliness of this work especially its third movement. It is inspiring and joyful.
What is the Difference?
Listen carefully and see if you can discern the difference between the concerto grossi we listened to the previous weeks and this particular work.
April 21, 2024
This week, we will listen to a Suite played on a harpsichord. Suites were instrumental works composed during the Baroque period. They were a group of dances in the same key.
Suite in C minor for Harpsichord by Georg Böhm
The suites had the following movements. The Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue.
The Harpsichord was used in the 16th-18th centuries.
Find Out what other composers composed Suites in the Baroque period.
May 1, 2024
This month, we will examine different String Quartets. String quartet pieces are composed for four string instruments, violin I, violin II, viola, and cello, playing their individual parts.
String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 by Claude Debussy
This week's listening recommendation is a string quartet by Claude Debussy. It is one of my favorite string quartets I have enjoyed playing.
Happy Listening!
This String Quartet holds a special place in my heart.
What characteristics of this instrumentation do you enjoy listening to?
May 12, 2024
This week, the recommendation is for an extraordinary composer, another of my favorites.
String Quartet No 8 in c minor by Dmitri Shostakovich
Try to find out the number of String Quartet Shostakovich has composed during his lifetime.
Enjoy!
Try listening to one of the movements performed by different string quartet groups and see how their interpretations differ.
May 27, 2024
This week, I would like to revisit the Baroque period and explore a particular composer's works. I listened to some of his compositions today and loved the energy and liveliness of his pieces.
Rameau: Une Syphonie Imaginaire
Rameau lived from 1683-1764.
Rameau composed operas and harpsichord music.
What pieces did you discover as you looked for Rameau's compositions?
June 2, 2024
He was one of the famous Russian Five committed to creating a school of Russian Music.
String Quartet No.2 in D Major by Alexander Borodin
Borodin is one of my favorite composers who was a chemistry teacher.
Pay attention to the melody in the slow movement.
How does the melody transfer from one instrument to the next?
July 7, 2024
I am back from a short break and ready to offer you new pieces for listening.
Jean Baptiste Lully, Alcidiane Ouverture
This week, explore the innovator of French Ouvertures—the music of Jean Baptiste Lully.
Task: Find Out
How does the French Ouverture differ from the Italian Overture?
July 29, 2024
After being away this month, I am back with more listening suggestions and activities. This month, I would like to remember a favorite composer of mine and recommend his works: the Italian composer Luigi Boccherini.
Cello Concerto in B Flat Major by Luigi Boccherini
Luigi Boccherini was a cellist.
Discover!
What types of compositions did Luigi Boccherini compose?
