Let the Games Begin: The Classical Music Draft, Part I

[scottinkc]

For my ninth pick, I choose:

Bach- Suites for unaccompanied 'cello

Probably the best work for solo instrument ever written. I love unaccompanied instruments, and the cello is my favorite. Yo-Yo Ma plays these very well.

[Sachsen]

Fallen way behind again. I've had a tough weekend, not least because I spent most of it Nyquiled into a stupor after catching a cold. But that's no excuse. I've also had to come to grips with the fact that you all know a hell of a lot more about this music, speaking broadly and deeply, than I do. That's all right, too - I've filled in many holes and learned a hell of a lot.

So, no Schoenberg by this point? At all? For real? Well, let's do something about that right now.

Arnold Schoenberg, Op. 4, Verklärte Nacht.



On a side note, I'm planning on going to see the Cleveland Orchestra open its new season this weekend - my birthday present to me.

Hey, welcome back! Feel free to post all the picks you're behind on, no need to do just one a day. I know I've learned plenty in this thread, and I've been studying classical music, off and on, for the past 25+ years. For instance, I've never heard the pick you just selected...!

[Sachsen]

For my ninth pick, I choose:

Bach- Suites for unaccompanied 'cello

Probably the best work for solo instrument ever written. I love unaccompanied instruments, and the cello is my favorite. Yo-Yo Ma plays these very well.

AWESOME pick.

They may be "Bach lite" but I love Ma's recordings of Bach movements arranged for cello and orchestra by Ton Koopman. ("Simply Classical" I and II.)

[Sachsen]

Hard to believe there are still good composers left unpicked after over 100 picks, but both of my last two picks will be newbies (unless someone beats me to them!) starting with this one, the first Italian in my draft:

http://www.romeartlover.it/Respigh6.jpg

The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/respighi/medal.gif

I'll admit, the first time I heard this was as a young teenager, because I was a Mannheim Steamroller fan (still am!) and got their "Yellowstone" album - which included "The Pines of the Villa Borghese" and "The Pines of the Janiculum." Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered there were two more of these delightful movements in the work! "Pines near a Catacomb" is one of my favorite, most atmospheric pieces. I love how the third movement throws the recorded nightingale song in there near the end, and the solo piano part is wonderful.

Respighi was one of the most talented orchestrators ever, and his works typically invoke adjectives like "colorful," "vivid," and "evocative" -- very much a master of taking the audible and transforming it into something almost visual. I've never been to Rome, but I can almost imagine what it's like, thanks to Respighi!

[DoctorD]

Heck, I need an opera to win this thing. But I don’t know a lot about them. So I could either pick a “famous” one and try to fool you by copying the wikipedia entry. Or I could nominate the one opera I own – which is “OK”, but not a “must have”. Or I could pick

Franz Léhar Gold und Silber waltz

Hey, Léhar was most famous for his operettas, so I’m close!

This selection is for purely sentimental reasons. I lived in Germany for a while and played a transcription of this in a town band there. A recommended recording is by Willi Boskovsky with the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra. I first bought his recording of Lehar waltzes in the 80’s on vinyl and was delighted to see it reissued on CD recently. His renditions are the essence of elegance. A great New Year’s Eve album.

Speaking of New Year’s Eve, does anyone else remember the PBS “New Year’s from Vienna” broadcasts in the 70’s featuring old Willi?

[Norsk Troll]

For my 9th Round Selection:

La Bohème

by Giacomo Puccini

In the first place, I'm surpised this wasn't picked earlier, given it's overt popularity among even the non-fans of opera.

In the second place, I struggled with this particular piece. Puccini is the winner in my book for best Italian opera composer - but then, he had the benefit of beggining his career later, when the form was at it's summit (I often wonder what Mozart or Verdi could have written had their careers stated around 1890). So which one? Initially, I thought I'd take Turandot because I think the story is good - fairy tales, mythology, etc., seem to me to be the most fitting for operatic treatment - and because the music is wonderful (though I reduce points for Turandot's music, and the riddle scene, which are not the highpoints for me). But then that got picked out from under me, leaving La Bohème and one other work. And my hesitation over La Bohème stems mainly from (a) a dislike for stories relying on women dying of consumption, and (b) a hesitation to pick anything so rampantly popular. But as you see, I bit the bullet and picked it anyway. I figure, one of the reasons I dislike the consumption angle is that people don't tend to get sick in the same ways they did 100-200 years ago, and we simply think that it's a bit cliché, when in reality it was probably fairly common to die of some sickness like that.

The fact remains, though, that it's popular for a reason - it's simply wonderful. Anyone that doesn't get worked up over some part of this opera is heartless. For me, it's not so much Mimi's dying, as it's the little touches in the Marcello/Musetta saga. The third act has always been my favourite: to watch Marcello rage at Musetta in jealousy and chase her off, but then instantly realize how much he loves her and can't bear the thought of being without her, all in the background while Rodolfo and Mimi are singing of their love for each other is to me very touching. Similarly, when they all rally around because Mimi is dying, the moment of reconciliation between Marcello and Musetta is more rending than Mimi fading away - though Rodolfo's shouts of Mimi upon her passing are themselves the perfect ending to what is a fairly realistic death scene, with Mimi merely drifting away slowly, while everyone is waiting, knowing that she's done for.

As to recordings/performances, some folks don't like the Zefferelli production at the Met, but I defy you to find a more attractive and memorable Act III set. I also prefer if the singers are young and in shape - they're supposed to be starving, for crying out loud. I've got a few recordings:

http://classicalcdexchange.co.uk/images/B1138.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000041TD.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000005E3M.03.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I prefer the Beecham and Nagano to the von Karajan recording.

Musical Program:
1 - Beethoven: 9th Sym.
2 - Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
3 - Mahler: 8th Sym.
4 - Grieg: Peer Gynt
5 - Tchaikovsky: 4th Sym.
6 - Verdi: Otello
7 - Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
8 - Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier
9 - Puccini: La Bohème

[Smiley321]

Hard to believe there are still good composers left unpicked after over 100 picks, but both of my last two picks will be newbies (unless someone beats me to them!) starting with this one, the first Italian in my draft:

http://www.romeartlover.it/Respigh6.jpg

The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/respighi/medal.gif

I'll admit, the first time I heard this was as a young teenager, because I was a Mannheim Steamroller fan (still am!) and got their "Yellowstone" album - which included "The Pines of the Villa Borghese" and "The Pines of the Janiculum." Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered there were two more of these delightful movements in the work! "Pines near a Catacomb" is one of my favorite, most atmospheric pieces. I love how the third movement throws the recorded nightingale song in there near the end, and the solo piano part is wonderful.

Respighi was one of the most talented orchestrators ever, and his works typically invoke adjectives like "colorful," "vivid," and "evocative" -- very much a master of taking the audible and transforming it into something almost visual. I've never been to Rome, but I can almost imagine what it's like, thanks to Respighi!

Good pick. My first exposure to that was, believe it or not, an 8-track tape I bought in a pawnshop back in the '70s!

[sardus_pater]

My 9th pick is

The alien beauty of

Gyorgy Ligeti - Lux Aeterna

http://image.allmusic.com/00/acg/pic200/drz000%5Cz056%5Cz05604epg0z.jpg

I think nothing describes an eternal superhuman light better than this stunning "alien" choir. Awesome piece of inventive avant-garde music.

Yes, my first listen was because of Kubrick' 2001 etc.. and it took me time to go beyond the "weird!" ;)

[Smiley321]

I'll use my ninth pick on a piece brought to my attention by Emerson, Lake & Palmer -

Ginastera Piano Concerto No. 1

I never would have known about it if they didn't put it on "Brain Salad Surgery"

Great piano music, unusual melodies, my kind of stuff.

I couldn't get through this draft without mentioning ELP.

[Sachsen]

I count at least three selections from 2001 so far -- our favorite movie, hmm? ;)

C'mon y'all, the last round starts tomorrow... we need more picks!

[Norsk Troll]

I count at least three selections from 2001 so far -- our favorite movie, hmm? ;)Not mine.

And Pini di Roma was on my long list, but I already had two Italians.

[Iceblink]

I have a couple picks to make... I'll make my 8th round now.

I choose Alessandro Marcello's "Concerto for Oboe"

I had almost forgotten it, but I heard it on XM Classics and had to grab it.

At least I'm pretty sure it was this one. In any case, I enjoy this one a lot... in all its Baroquy goodness.

[Iceblink]

Ok... had to check if this one was still around for the 9th round.

I'll take the instantly-recognizable "First Suite in D" by Jean-Joseph Mouret.

If you don't recognize it from the words, you'd know part of the first movement as the theme from Masterpiece Theatre!

That said... while you surely know this part, you should hear the rest, as it's quite a great work.

It was also excellently covered by hardcore band Adrenalin OD in the 80s.

Nice.

[DoctorD]

I have a couple picks to make... I'll make my 8th round now.

I choose Alessandro Marcello's "Concerto for Oboe"

I had almost forgotten it, but I heard it on XM Classics and had to grab it.

At least I'm pretty sure it was this one. In any case, I enjoy this one a lot... in all its Baroquy goodness.Naxos has a recording of this. You'll have to look under the letter *, however, since Marcello gets 2nd billing on this recording of oboe sonatas and concerti.

[Sachsen]

Last round starts tomorrow!

Big Board has been updated.

Pending picks:
Michael K.: 6, 7, 8, 9
Ghost: 5, 8, 9
Karl K: 6, 7, 8, 9
GringoTex: 6, 7, 8, 9
YankHibee: 6, 7, 8, 9
Sbry: 6, 7, 8, 9
NGV: 8, 9
Haole: 9
Panfilo: 9

The final round of the Classical Music Draft begins 27 September 2006 at 12:31pm St. Thomas Church, Leipzig time. (Where Bach is buried -- remove caps and observe a moment of silence, please.)

[Haole]

My ninth pick:


Etudes Simples, Leo Brouwer


http://www.musicweb.uk.net/brouwer/brouwer.jpg


These are the most modern of guitar pieces for the student and, are often found on recital programmes. They are part of a large body of modern guitar work by one of the major figures in guitar compostion and performance

The etudes are beautifully crafted and reveal a very unique modern language for guitar. Brouwer is to this day one of the most prominent Cuban composers and performers in the world. He presents to the listener a lineage of the great guitarists of the 19th and early 20th century in his performance, instruction and, many compositions for concert guitar.

The effect of the 'Etudes Simples' pieces on the student can be remarkable. If you are a pianist you will probably remember the great 'Mikrokosmos' studies by Bartok which appear on the page as deceptively easy looking pieces. Then, upon study, they would unravel layers of harmony, rhythm and modal melodies that light you up with the genius of their creation. Such is the effect of the Brouwer Etudes. Direct, wonderfully musically and so unlike anything else.


Here's a recent video interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsmbq5PFnRM


Here's a good web page on the Maestro:


http://www.musicweb.uk.net/brouwer/


Here's Brouwer playing an arrangement of a Piazzolla tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYhhETkva0&mode=related&search=

[scottinkc]

For my tenth and final pick, I choose:

Beethoven- Adelaide

I am a singer, and the epitome of classical music for singers is German Lieder. So I had to have one to close out my program. The only question was which one. I eventually decided against a song cycle, and instead chose the one song which, if I were ever stranded on a deserted island, I would have to have. It is rather lengthy as Lied go, about 6 minutes, but this allows it quite a variety of moods, and so is almost like a Reader's Digest song cycle. I especially like the ending, where the protaganist is strangely excited about the prospect of new purple flowers springing from his grave. And then, after several orgasmic shouts of Adelaide, he is ... uh ... spent, but still manages to sigh a final whistful "Adelaide".

The best recording of this is, I feel, Fritz Wunderlich. Beethoven, and most of the early Romantic Lieder composers (Schubert, Schumann), wrote with their hearts on their sleeves. One does not have to dig very deep to find the meaning of their songs. Wunderlich sings this way, letting the music do the majority of the work. Ben Heppner also sings this song well.

And so my program is:

P.I. Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture
G.F. Handel - Messiah
L.v. Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5
A. Copland - Old American Songs
L.v. Beethoven - Symphony No. 8
R. Clarke - Viola Sonata
G. Verdi - Rigoletto
W.A. Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte
J.S. Bach - Suites for unaccompanied cello
L.v. Beethoven - Adelaide

[DoctorD]

What to pick as #10? Sacred or profane? Famous or rare? A personal favorite or a crowd-pleaser?

I’ll go with the rare one, a personal favorite.

Dietrich Buxtehude Jesu, Meines Lebens Leben Bux WV 62

This aria is from a passion chorale. It begins with a short instrumental sinfonia which mixes the French dotted eight-and-sixteenth style with straight eighth notes. Then the 2 upper voices enter over top of an 8 beat bass ostinato. They sing a 7-line verse. This verse, and all the verses, concludes with the phrase “tausend, tausendmal sei dir, liebster Jesu, Dank dafuer”. The next verse is sung by the two lower voices. The third by just the tenors. Not until the fourth verse do all four voices sing together in a hushed tone, the verse that describes how “‘I’ put on the honored crown” (of thorns). Each of these verses is separated by a short instrumental interlude. In the fifth and final verse, all four voices sing forte and triumphantly, thanking Jesus for his pain and agony for our sake. And in this verse the vocal and instrumental parts are for the first time intertwined. Finally the piece concludes with an extended “Amen” sequence.

And throughout it all is the faintly ominous ostinato line that propels the entire piece forward. The overall effect is overwhelming and you don’t want it to end.

The problem for you (or me), gentle reader, is that this aria is not well known at all. As far as I know, it is only recorded on one album: Jos von Immerseel and the Orchestra Anima Eterna “Buxtehude: 6 Cantatas”. Amazon link (http://www.amazon.com/Dietrich-Buxtehude-Jos-van-Immerseel/dp/B000003UZ1/sr=1-9/qid=1159363711/ref=sr_1_9/102-2879896-0479326?ie=UTF8&s=music). And the liner notes claim it wasn’t even published until 1957. Bux WV 62 deserves much wider popularity.

If you are at all interested in Baroque choral music, you owe it to yourself to buy this album (only 1 left!).

So my program, listed in chronological order, is:

Josquin Des Prez – Missa Pange Lingua
J. Bartlet – Of All the Birds that I Do Know
D Buxtehude – Jesu Meines Lebens Leben
A. Corelli – Violin Sonata Op. 5, No. 12 “La Folia”
J. S. Bach – St Matthew Passion
J. S. Bach – The Musical Offering
L. v. Beethoven – Symphony No. 7
F. Lehar – Gold und Silber Waltz
E. E. Bagley – National Emblem
A. Copland – Appalachian Spring

[Norsk Troll]

For my 10th Round Selection:

I've been going round and round for a while on this one, even as late as last night before bed, re-listening to several works (am I the only one taking this thing a little TOO seriously???). I had several things I wanted to accomplish with this pick, but I'm not going to satisfy them all. I still had some nations under-represented. I had no baroque on the list. Some of the pieces I really wanted were gone, but I still didn't want to just settle on a filler piece. In the end, I sacrificed the need for baroque - it's never been my favourite era, and more often then not, I might enjoy a single movement of a piece, but rarely the whole. There was only one baroque piece remaining that I would really like to have, but the composer is German, and I'm rather heavy with Germans already (then again, I could easily have picked all 10 pieces from Germans and Austrians). Also, there was one Mozart piece which (oddly to me) remains unpicked, but I already have 4 operas, and as much as I like the piece, it is flawed as opera in my book due to the reliance on recitative (as I said earlier, would that Mozart could have composed 100 years later). And again, he's Austrian, and I'm heavy there.

So I satisfied the need to have a french composer on the list, and instead of Baroque, went to 1912. Though my two Debussy picks were already taken, there were about 4 other french works on my list, but I'm going with:

Daphnis et Chloe

by Maurice Ravel

I don't have much to say about this work - no stories from college or anything. It's just a piece which really works, for me anyway. It's more like Debussy, and the wave of impressionism, then other works by Ravel, and for me is his best piece.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/8a/13/27d3024128a02d7922d96010.L.jpg



Musical Program:
1 - Beethoven: 9th Sym.
2 - Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
3 - Mahler: 8th Sym.
4 - Grieg: Peer Gynt
5 - Tchaikovsky: 4th Sym.
6 - Verdi: Otello
7 - Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
8 - Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier
9 - Puccini: La Bohème
10 - Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe


So - when do we start voting? Maybe give everyone until Friday, 11:59 pm, to get in their picks, then start sending votes to Sachsen by PM?

[DoctorD]

I can't believe Yanni hasn't been taken yet.