What are you listening to now?

[Peter]

Listening to Elgar 'The dream of Gerontius'.

[Sorrano]

Listening to Elgar 'The dream of Gerontius'.

I first heard that on the radio and immediately went online to get a copy. It's been too long, though, since I've listened to it.

[Chris]

Today I'm revisiting some Scott Joplin piano rags. This used to be some of my favorite music to play, but I haven't had much time for it in the past several years. Right now it's "Original Rags", played by Guido Nielsen, one of my favorite Joplin pianists.

[Quijote]

Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Op.80. I haven't listened to this in years!

[Peter]

Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Op.80. I haven't listened to this in years!

It's certainly an oddity and I don't think any future composer used this combination as a model?

Listening to Wagner Parsifal.

[Megan]

https://youtu.be/xWpACpP7gsU


London Philharmonic Orchestra

Happy birthday Camille Saint-Sa?ns
The composer was born 187 years ago today! Here’s an LPO favourite moment from his Third Symphony

[Enrique]

Saint Saens, in the premier of The Rite of Spring, stood up and went out of the theater after the first few notes by the fagot.

[Sorrano]

https://youtu.be/xWpACpP7gsU


London Philharmonic Orchestra

Happy birthday Camille Saint-Sa?ns
The composer was born 187 years ago today! Here’s an LPO favourite moment from his Third Symphony

The first time I listened to this I was in a music library, listening with headphones on. Prior to the organ's grand entrance on that powerful C Major chord I had turned up the volume to hear the preceding measures as the music faded. When that chord sounded it knocked me into the next room.

[Megan]

Yes, Sorrano Saint Saen's Organ symphony a very powerful work of genius. I love the whole works, in particular I love the wonderful piano duet part, in the finale, I so wish I could get the music for that part.
I often think that the chromatic range and power of French music is epitomised by Saint Saens.
There are also connections, I think with Berlioz music, the French have a particular ability of synthesising solo and harmonic parts , whereas German music at time is a bit rigid in the distinction between concerto and symphonic forms..

Another wonderful piece of music is Britten's , Peter Grimes and especially the Sea Interludes. Here in the UK there has apparently been an utter fantastic production of this, which I have not seen , but which has brought rave reviews all over the world and raised Britten's status.

[gprengel]

I just made a beautiful discovery of this melancholic little March by Tchaikowsky, which I never listened to before: https://youtu.be/m0zl3UJWHFs Especially the wonderful part at 2:13f is gorgeous!!

[Megan]

I just made a beautiful discovery of this melancholic little March by Tchaikowsky, which I never listened to before: https://youtu.be/m0zl3UJWHFs Especially the wonderful part at 2:13f is gorgeous!!

What an amazing find, I like this very much., I wonder if the CD is still available.
Thanks for that gprengel.

Did Berlioz also do a funeral March ?

[Peter]

What an amazing find, I like this very much., I wonder if the CD is still available.
Thanks for that gprengel.

Did Berlioz also do a funeral March ?

Yes the superb Symphonie funebre et triomphale - listen to the glorious Apotheose at 25'52 and the entry of the choir at 32'18, truly majestic!

[Megan]

Quite magnificent , and rousing, Peter.

Was it Beethoven that first had a choir in a symphony?

[Peter]

Quite magnificent , and rousing, Peter.

Was it Beethoven that first had a choir in a symphony?

Yes.