An interesting piece to start the ball rolling. Based on a plinth of impressionism, orchestral colours and ever changing textures form a coalition with shimmering harmonies to evoke the mood of a person ambling around without a care in the world! Perhaps wondering along the Viking Way cognisant of the warming sun paying homage to a Lincolnshire summer. The lovely woodwind arabesque takes me back to the time in your life before responsibility crafted it's wily frame around your innocent sweet gilded youth.
9. Vaughan Williams- Flos Campi
A piece of pastoral elegance. The flawless viola moves in unity with the orchestra like a field of poppies keeping time with a summer breeze. What really gives the piece it's position in the top 10 though is the wordless chorus, it creates an ethereal soundworld reflecting every turn of mood with such splendid suppleness and fluidity. The abrupt tempo changes perhaps remind one of the fluxes of weather intrinsically linked to a British summer.
8. Debussy- String Quartet
Just picture ever opening rose buds on a hot and hazy July afternoon and you've grasped the import of this work. The Cello graciously takes the lead in any lyrical excursions which are then tossed around the Quartet as a whole. Pizzicato in the second movement adds real verve as well as a playful touch. The seemingly melodic cul-de-sac in the final movement reminds us that all good things eventually come to an end, even summer!
7. Mompou- 12 preludes
You've maybe never heard of this Composer, maybe You have but in classical music every now and then you have a 'good find' this was one of mine and I'd love to share it with you. The pieces are quite simple in themselves yet that is what draws you into his domain. Innocent yet disarmingly intimate, ordinary but deeply poetic, normal enough though exquisitely jewelled. With the fragrance of roses and a large glass of wine, this is the perfect music to wind down to.
6. Canteloube- Bailero (from songs of the Auvergne)
It doesn't have to be in France, You could be kayaking in a sheltered Highland loch, perhaps Loch Duich with Eilean Donan castle in the near distance. See your reflection in the water. Feel the scent of gorse in each note! Whether first thing in the morning before the flower buds open or in the evening just before the Butterflies go to sleep. Don't just touch this melodic world but grasp it with both hands, there's real warmth and colour portrayed here.
5. Delius- Irmelin Prelude
Delius speaks to the heart as no other Composer does and this little gem is no exception. Pastoral melodies are whispered by individual woodwinds before they are passed on to the strings to receive the Delius summery soundworld treatment. It meanders through lush gardens in strong sunshine, through mountain passes and along rivers, evoking beautiful imagery as it goes. The prelude ends with a Clarinet bleating out a gorgeous melody on a soft bed of Violins.
4. Handel- ''Hush ye pretty warbling choir" from Acis and Galatea
Taken from an Oratorio that is seldom played, this aria breathes sunshine. There are subtle variations in tempo and dynamics that characterise the trill of birdsong so masterfully. The catchy tune by the vigorous yet graceful soprano remind me of pairs of Gold Finches fluttering about from one garden to another. The simplicity of expression will not fail to put a smile on your face.
3. Liszt- Piano Concerto no.2
You will notice straight away that this Concerto has a freedom of structure, it is in six random sections and is over and done with in a breath over twenty minutes! Liszt throws caution to the wind with this one. It starts off normal enough with a harnessed and refined lyrical theme then it moves on into a barnstorming thriller! One tune after another pressed together with such mesmerising velocity you wonder how the orchestra manages to keep up with the Pianist. A real show stopper.
2. Schubert- Piano Sonata no.4 i ( allegro ma non trappo )
I think You will find this movement accessible right from the opening bars. It soon settles into a 6/8 time signature reminiscent of clouds drifting over craggy mountain peaks. Simultaneously on the right hand high notes flutter like Wheatears boulder hopping in early morning sunshine. At the risk of poetic overkill, notice how the rhythm has a pouncing effect, like you're leaping over bracken trying to photograph a Butterfly. A deeply felt theme that only Schubert could have composed.
1. Delius- In a Summer Garden
A monument to individuality as no other musical voice speaks Delius' language. Picture yourself walking round the gardens of some stately home in the humidity of a late July afternoon. Bees and Butterflies are in abundance. Flowery singing melodies serenade you in a carefree manner round every corner. The string melody in the middle section portrays the purest portrait of summer that there ever was. I think Mr D would be best pleased at having two in the top ten because when it comes to musical impressionism it really doesn't get any better than this.
KTDA, Marky Markles.
please feel free to comment. Marty would you please try not to make yours so long please :)
9. Vaughan Williams- Flos Campi
A piece of pastoral elegance. The flawless viola moves in unity with the orchestra like a field of poppies keeping time with a summer breeze. What really gives the piece it's position in the top 10 though is the wordless chorus, it creates an ethereal soundworld reflecting every turn of mood with such splendid suppleness and fluidity. The abrupt tempo changes perhaps remind one of the fluxes of weather intrinsically linked to a British summer.
8. Debussy- String Quartet
Just picture ever opening rose buds on a hot and hazy July afternoon and you've grasped the import of this work. The Cello graciously takes the lead in any lyrical excursions which are then tossed around the Quartet as a whole. Pizzicato in the second movement adds real verve as well as a playful touch. The seemingly melodic cul-de-sac in the final movement reminds us that all good things eventually come to an end, even summer!
7. Mompou- 12 preludes
You've maybe never heard of this Composer, maybe You have but in classical music every now and then you have a 'good find' this was one of mine and I'd love to share it with you. The pieces are quite simple in themselves yet that is what draws you into his domain. Innocent yet disarmingly intimate, ordinary but deeply poetic, normal enough though exquisitely jewelled. With the fragrance of roses and a large glass of wine, this is the perfect music to wind down to.
6. Canteloube- Bailero (from songs of the Auvergne)
It doesn't have to be in France, You could be kayaking in a sheltered Highland loch, perhaps Loch Duich with Eilean Donan castle in the near distance. See your reflection in the water. Feel the scent of gorse in each note! Whether first thing in the morning before the flower buds open or in the evening just before the Butterflies go to sleep. Don't just touch this melodic world but grasp it with both hands, there's real warmth and colour portrayed here.
5. Delius- Irmelin Prelude
Delius speaks to the heart as no other Composer does and this little gem is no exception. Pastoral melodies are whispered by individual woodwinds before they are passed on to the strings to receive the Delius summery soundworld treatment. It meanders through lush gardens in strong sunshine, through mountain passes and along rivers, evoking beautiful imagery as it goes. The prelude ends with a Clarinet bleating out a gorgeous melody on a soft bed of Violins.
4. Handel- ''Hush ye pretty warbling choir" from Acis and Galatea
Taken from an Oratorio that is seldom played, this aria breathes sunshine. There are subtle variations in tempo and dynamics that characterise the trill of birdsong so masterfully. The catchy tune by the vigorous yet graceful soprano remind me of pairs of Gold Finches fluttering about from one garden to another. The simplicity of expression will not fail to put a smile on your face.
3. Liszt- Piano Concerto no.2
You will notice straight away that this Concerto has a freedom of structure, it is in six random sections and is over and done with in a breath over twenty minutes! Liszt throws caution to the wind with this one. It starts off normal enough with a harnessed and refined lyrical theme then it moves on into a barnstorming thriller! One tune after another pressed together with such mesmerising velocity you wonder how the orchestra manages to keep up with the Pianist. A real show stopper.
2. Schubert- Piano Sonata no.4 i ( allegro ma non trappo )
I think You will find this movement accessible right from the opening bars. It soon settles into a 6/8 time signature reminiscent of clouds drifting over craggy mountain peaks. Simultaneously on the right hand high notes flutter like Wheatears boulder hopping in early morning sunshine. At the risk of poetic overkill, notice how the rhythm has a pouncing effect, like you're leaping over bracken trying to photograph a Butterfly. A deeply felt theme that only Schubert could have composed.
1. Delius- In a Summer Garden
A monument to individuality as no other musical voice speaks Delius' language. Picture yourself walking round the gardens of some stately home in the humidity of a late July afternoon. Bees and Butterflies are in abundance. Flowery singing melodies serenade you in a carefree manner round every corner. The string melody in the middle section portrays the purest portrait of summer that there ever was. I think Mr D would be best pleased at having two in the top ten because when it comes to musical impressionism it really doesn't get any better than this.
KTDA, Marky Markles.
please feel free to comment. Marty would you please try not to make yours so long please :)
Hiya Mark, we're going through your top 10 at the moment, a really good choice and you've chosen some interesting pieces! It's good to hear what imagery the music conveys to someone else :)
ReplyDeleteHigh Martin sorry Martyng! Grate to here from yew. Knott lyke me to make the odd spelling miss take. Seriously thanks for comment, that is a good point Mr Wastler!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. We do Spotify so we can listen to pretty much anything, it's good to listen to an uplifting selection. I use my GnomeMart Ear Trumpet, I can order you one if you like. Only 57 Roubles!
DeleteWhen is the next blog?
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon Blogfan! markmusicautumn.blogspot.com has hit the blogosphere!
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