Thursday, December 1, 2011

#XmasClassicsaDay December, 2011

This month the challenge is to listen to music of the holiday season -- but not the same tired old tunes that we always here this time of year. The hashtag may read "Xmas Classics a Day," but we mean classical, not necessarily classic.

So Ralph Vaughan Williams' Hodie - yes. Steve Laurence and Edi Gorme's "Happy Holidays" - no.

Although the theme is classical, we're keeping the definition of Christmas loose. It includes any liturgical music written for use during Advent or Christmas (don't forget all those Magnificats, too).

There are also orchestral works written for the season, and many piano works, too. And there are ballets and dramatic works that have a scene or  two (or perhaps the entire story) taking place around Christmas. Also remember works that involve the seasons or the months of the year -- the December portions of those compositions work, too!

You can select anything from medieval chants to modern choral works. So start listening, and be sure to share with your fellow Twitterers using the #XmasClassicsaDay hashtag. There's a very good chance that you'll be turning others on to some great music they might not otherwise discover.

Monday, October 31, 2011

#FaustaDay November 2011

 This month's theme is an interesting challenge. The goal is to listen to at least one classical work inspired by the story of Faust, the doctor who sold his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for immortality and unlimited pleasure.

Composers have found the legend -- and especially the version by Gothe -- inspirational for centuries.

There's actually quite a lot of classical music to choose from.

You could listen to Charles Gounod's opera "Faust," Franz List's "Faust Symphony," Franz Schubert's lieder "Gretchen am Spinnrade." Alfred Schnittke's "Faust Cantata" -- just to name a few.

It's a great opportunity for us to be adventuresome, have fun, and deepen our shared knowledge of the repertoire!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

#HovhanessaDay September 21-30, 2011

September 29, 2011

Tom Godell

I'm fresh out of symphonies, so today it's Mountains & Rivers Without End and Prelude & Quadruple Fugue. Awesome stuff.
Tom Godell

Symphonies 50 & 53 yesterday (forgot to tweet about them). Two of Hovhaness's most charming works.

September 28, 2011
 
Tom Godell

Symphony 49. Pleasant, but uneventful. Sounds like a combination of Sibelius and Henry Cowell.
28 Sep
 
Tom Godell

@
Even the mediocre ones have at least one interesting movement.
28 Sep
 
Dean Frey

@
I agree - most of his symphonies bring something special; nearly all have *character*
28 Sep
 
Tom Godell

@
I've listened to about 20 of his symphonies. Only a tiny handful are inferior.
Dean Frey

Guitar sonata no2, op329 - Owes a lot to Villa-Lobos, with different harmonies. The 2nd mvt Jahla reminds me of VL's Etudes
Dean Frey

@
"Only 1 in 5 symphonies is any good." - "That means he wrote 12 good symphonies."
Tom Godell

Symphony 49. Possibly the most "American" of the H Symphonies in my collection. Sounds like Henry Cowell.
28 Sep

September 27, 2011 
 
Tom Godell

Symphony 39: boring, interminable, rambling. Symphony 46: utterly enchanting. Go figure.
RalphGraves

So what should the theme be for *October*
Tom Godell

@
Don't you mean October?
RalphGraves

Say, gang, what should the theme for September be? Any suggestions?
Dean Frey

Concerto for Orchestra no7, op116. Another in the great pioneering series of new works, cond. Robert S. Whitney
RalphGraves

@
After listening to Symphony 50 again, I have to agree that "Spirit Lake" is wonderful.
27 Sep

September 27, 2011
 
Dean Frey

Fanfare for a New Atlantis op281 (1975), from a 2007 Naxos CD w/Royal Scottish NO cond. by Stewart Robertson

 September 26, 2011
Tom Godell

Round Two: Symphony 38. Mildly interesting, but soprano solo sung by composer's wife is dreadful.
Marsha Epstein

RT : On vacation last week, so no listening. Will make amends this week by doublin… (cont)
Tom Godell

On vacation last week, so no listening. Will make amends this week by doubling up. On now: Symphony 31. Hauntingly lovely.

September 22

Same thing w/"And God Created Great Whales." The whale songs seem tacked on, rather than integrated into the work.
Tiny Klout Flag42 RalphGraves

Actually, there's only 1 part of Symphony 50 I don't like - the eruption. Seems to literal (and therefore falls short) to me.
Tiny Klout Flag42 RalphGraves

Giving two works I don't like very much another chance: Symphony No. 50 "Mt. St. Helens" & "And God Created Great Whales."
September 21
 
Tiny Klout Flag42 RalphGraves

Three Visions of St. Mesrob, Op. 198. Another early work that's very appealing.
Tiny Klout Flag42 RalphGraves

If you missed the live broadcast, the program will be available for on-demand listening at
»
Tiny Klout Flag42 RalphGraves

in honor of - the Symphony No. 14 "Ararat"

Tiny Klout Flag39 Delos Music

RT : Duet for violin & harpsichord, op122 - the 27sec 2nd mvt 'Haiku' is a gem-

#BachaDay October 1-10

October 9, 2011


Tom_Godell Oct 09, 10:46am via TweetDeck
#BachADay The Kreisler/Zimbalist Bach Double is on YouTube. Here's the link for your enjoyment: http://t.co/lIinN56g

Tom_Godell Oct 09, 10:43am via TweetDeck
#BachADay No SOBs today. Listening to the old man himself--the Concerto for 2 Violins. Fritz Kreisler & Effrem Zimbalist recorded in 1915.

October 7, 2011

Tom_Godell Oct 07, 4:38pm via TweetDeck
@villa_lobos Love Stokowski's glitzy transcriptions, but prefer Stokie's own recordings. #BachADay
  
villa_lobos Oct 07, 4:37pm via web
I love the Stokowski transcriptions of Bach's music. Listening to Matthias Bamert's recording with the BBC PO on @ChandosRecords #BachADay

Tom_Godell Oct 07, 12:39pm via TweetDeck
#BachADay. Our SOB is C.P.E. Bach (not to be confused with his cousin the accountant CPA Bach): http://t.co/lIyovf1f

Tom_Godell Oct 07, 9:58am via TweetDeck
@RalphGraves Remind me to look up the info on my CD of the duets, played on modern flutes. Yum. #Bachaday

RalphGraves Oct 07, 9:57am via HootSuite
#Bachaday Listening to some wonderful flute duets by WF Bach http://ht.ly/6Qrnh
  
villa_lobos Oct 06, 4:20pm via web
Too much great music for only 1 #BachADay. Eliane Elias is fine in jazz+ classical. Bach French Suite no5, from her CD On the Classical Side
 
 October 5, 2011

RalphGraves Oct 06, 3:09pm via HootSuite
#BachaDay Anner Bylsma plays CPE Bach cello concerti in this Virgin Classics recording (an oldy but a goody) http://ht.ly/6PIvk
 
RalphGraves Oct 06, 3:06pm via HootSuite
@villa_lobos That's a great set! I know @Tom_Godell doesn't care for the Hangover Band, but these are very well done. #BachaDay

  villa_lobos Oct 06, 11:19am via web
From the cpo set of J.C. (London) Bach's op3 Symphonies, no 6 in G major #BachADay - Anthony Halstead conducts the Hanover Band

Tom_Godell Oct 06, 9:32am via TweetDeck
#BachADay. Today a Grand SOB! Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst Bach, grandson of old JS. A charming trio! http://t.co/E5wCDJnZ

WTJUClassical Oct 06, 8:08am via web
#BachADay #WTJU C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concerto in A major; Konrad Hünteler, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra - Koopman. http://t.co/DQlwdJNk

October 5, 2011
  villa_lobos Oct 05, 1:53pm via web
#BachADay Lute Suite BWV 996 in e minor, arranged for guitar & beautifully played by Sharon Isbin, on Virgin 0077775950359 @NaxosMusicLib
  
villa_lobos Oct 05, 1:53pm via web
#BachADay Lute Suite BWV 996 in e minor, arranged for guitar & beautifully played by Sharon Isbin, on Virgin 0077775950359 @NaxosMusicLib

Tom_Godell Oct 05, 11:48am via TweetDeck
@RalphGraves JCF is definitely underrated. Remind me, were there any SOBs who wrote music other than JCF, JC, CPE, WFE & PDQ? #BachaDay

RalphGraves Oct 05, 11:45am via HootSuite
#BachaDay I'm right w/@Tom_Godell and listening to JCF Bach for my SOB. In this case, Pygmaiion, Die Amerikanerin, and Ino -- 3 cantatas!

Tom_Godell Oct 05, 9:55am via TweetDeck
#BachADay Once again JCF Bach is my SOB (Son of Bach). Listening to his A Major Fortepiano Concerto. http://t.co/LXXCkZ5N

RalphGraves Oct 05, 7:17am via HootSuite
#classicsaday I'll follow the Hovhannes with JS Bach's Cantata No. 71, Gotts mein Konig for October's #BachaDay http://t.co/J1xKFsox (3...

October 4, 2011
Tom_Godell Oct 04, 5:51pm via TweetDeck
If I've learned anything from #BachADay it's that we need to know our SOBs (Sons of Bach) better. JS raised some pretty musical sons.

Tom_Godell Oct 04, 5:31pm via TweetDeck
#BachADay Today's SOB is Johann Christoph Friederich Bach & his Harpsichord Concerto in A. http://t.co/I77mQ9ad
  
villa_lobos Oct 04, 4:03pm via web
The always-reliable Univ. of Southern North Dakota at Hoople Heavy Opera Company RT @RalphGraves #BachaDay "The Stoned Guest" by PDQ Bach

RalphGraves Oct 04, 1:35pm via HootSuite
#BachaDay "The Stoned Guest" by PDQ Bach. Can I also count this for #operaday?

WCPE Oct 04, 11:52am via web
RT @villa_lobos: #BachADay bonus: http://t.co/hPwVEB4C, on the anniversary of Glenn Gould's death in 1982

  villa_lobos Oct 04, 10:55am via web
#BachADay bonus: http://t.co/hPwVEB4C, on the anniversary of Glenn Gould's death in 1982

  villa_lobos Oct 04, 10:44am via web
#BachADay Bronislaw Gimpel's legendary 1950s recordings of Bach's Unaccompanied Sonatas & Partitas re-released on Cambria - @NaxosMusicLib

 October 3, 2011

 villa_lobos Oct 03, 1:32pm via HootSuite
RT @DCDRecords: Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is #BachaDay http://ht.ly/6K22W That includes JS Bach and all his kin – even PDQ!
  
DCDRecords Oct 03, 11:35am via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is #BachaDay http://ht.ly/6K22W That includes JS Bach and all his kin – even PDQ!

RalphGraves Oct 03, 11:35am via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is #BachaDay http://ht.ly/6K22Y That includes JS Bach and all his kin – even PDQ!

RalphGraves Oct 03, 11:34am via HootSuite
@villa_lobosI actually have that recording! I'll be sure to give it a spin today. Thanks! #Bachaday
  
villa_lobos Oct 03, 11:03am via web
My #BachADay for Monday is Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach's D minor Symphony, played by Concerto Köln, on Capriccio - Sturm und Drang!

Tom_Godell Oct 03, 10:01am via TweetDeck
@RalphGraves Isn't there a recording by the Orchestra of St. Lukes? Its quite nice. Lively & spirited. #Classicsaday #BachaDay

RalphGraves Oct 03, 10:00am via HootSuite
#Classicsaday #BachaDay JS Bach: Brandenburg Concerti w/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Recommendations for a modern version anyone?

DCDRecords Oct 03, 9:30am via HootSuite
If you enjoy classical music, please join the conversation for #ClassicsaDay – details here http://ht.ly/6K1X9 October’s theme is #BachaDay

CornoDiBassetto Oct 03, 9:24am via TweetDeck
RT @Tom_Godell: #BachADay Today's SOB (Son of Bach) is Johann Christian. Better known as John the London Bach & friend of Mozart http://t.co/R7MrOER3

Tom_Godell Oct 03, 9:04am via TweetDeck
#BachADay Today's SOB (Son of Bach) is Johann Christian. Better known as John the London Bach & friend of Mozart http://t.co/R7MrOER3

DCDRecords Oct 03, 8:30am via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is Bach. Details about #BachaDay here http://ht.ly/6K1N5

RalphGraves Oct 03, 8:30am via HootSuite
If you enjoy classical music, please join the conversation for #ClassicsaDay – details here http://ht.ly/6K1UZ October’s theme is #BachaDay

RalphGraves Oct 03, 6:30am via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is Bach. Details about #BachaDay here http://ht.ly/6K1LF

October 3, 2011

DCDRecords Oct 02, 5:35pm via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is #BachaDay http://ht.ly/6K21f That includes JS Bach and all his kin – even PDQ!

Tom_Godell Oct 02, 3:47pm via TweetDeck
#BachADay BTW, those Wilhelm Friedmann Bach Flute Duos are lovely. Strongly recommended.

americannanny Oct 02, 3:12pm via TweetDeck
RT @Tom_Godell: #BachADay Next up, flute duos of WF Bach. My goal this month to listen to as many SOBs (sons of Bach) as possible.

Tom_Godell Oct 02, 3:11pm via TweetDeck
#BachADay Next up, flute duos of WF Bach. My goal this month to listen to as many SOBs (sons of Bach) as possible.

DCDRecords Oct 02, 2:30pm via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is Bach. Details about #BachaDay here http://ht.ly/6K1IX

DCDRecords Oct 02, 11:30am via HootSuite
If you enjoy classical music, please join the conversation for #ClassicsaDay – details here http://ht.ly/6K1Tg October’s theme is #BachaDay

 October 1, 2011

RalphGraves Oct 01, 4:20pm via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is Bach. Details about #BachaDay here http://ht.ly/6K1H4
  
villa_lobos Oct 01, 1:23pm via web
#BachADay & #HeitorADay Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude 22, arranged for 8 cellos by Villa-Lobos, on a Yale Cellos disc @DelosMusic

RalphGraves Oct 01, 10:30am via HootSuite
If you enjoy classical music, please join the conversation for #ClassicsaDay – details here http://ht.ly/6K1QZ October’s theme is #BachaDay

RalphGraves Oct 01, 7:30am via HootSuite
Join us for #ClassicsaDay - October’s theme is #BachaDay http://ht.ly/6K1ZG That includes JS Bach and all his kin – even PDQ!