BACH TO BOULEZ (pronounced 'back' to Boulez)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Copland Billy the Kid....Concert Suite 1/3
Perhaps some fun music before the pain that may follow in the next posts that follow! This is great music and especially in the gun battle!
Boulez Pli Selon Pli
A great Twentieth Century masterpiece! It takes a lot of hearings to fully understand Boulez' language, so please be patient!
Boulez Sur Incises
If you appreciate the Piano Concertos of Bartok, you might be better able to understand this late masterpiece by Boulez. Give it a try!
Bartok Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion(3)
Give this wonderful movement from the Sonata for two pianos and percussion a try....very exciting! The Sonata was later re-written as a concerto for two pianos, percussion and orchestra.
It won't hurt your ears!
Bartok Piano Concerto no.2
Lately I have been discovering the Piano Concertos of Bartok. For far too many years I have held these works in low esteem.....but now no more! I have discovered how much I truly love all the works of this great master and these concertos are really quite marvelous! It helps to understand his music from a Hungarian point of view. Common in Hungarian folk music is the use of the whole tone scale(i.e. c-d-e-f#-g#-a#-c) and Bartok took full advantage of this tone row. We are more familiar with our major and minor modes that are made up of eight tones(i.e. c-d-e-f-g-a-b-c[major mode]). Listening to Bartok's music without understanding the whole tone scale will leave the listener rather confused. Though the music sounds dissonant, Bartok never abandoned tonality. Getting to know his music is a very rewarding experience....perhaps the most rewarding of any Twentieth Century composer(with the possible exception being the works of the Second Vienna School[Schoenberg, Webern,Berg]).
Give this music a chance....it will not hurt your ears!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A favourite work by Martinu
This is a favourite work by Martinu.....but then again what Martinu work isn't a favourite!
Martinu Cello Concerto #1/1
I bought a Chandos recording of the Cello Concertos of Martinu. I have come to realize that these are not only my favourite cello concertos but most likely my favourite concertos written by anyone in the 20th century. Glorious music, especially in the second movement of this concerto!
Bartok Piano Concerto #1/1
I once said that the slow movement from this concerto is one of the most ugly pieces of music ever written......well, I'm wrong! I recently bought a recording of all the piano concertos of Bartok performed by Peter Donohoe and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. What a difference a great recording provides in improving an appreciation of this music! This is very exciting music and after a few times listening to this concerto you may agree with me!
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