Today we are looking at the first piano virtuoso, considered still by many to be the greatest pianist in history. Inspired by the violin virtuoso Paganini, Franz Liszt left behind a large body of works which still stand today as the most difficult of the piano repertoire. Franz Liszt, Born on this day in 1811. Continue reading “On This Day… October 22”
Author: Ben Clapton
I'm a violinist, teacher, composer and arranger from Ellenbrook, Western Australia. I love my family, coffee, AFL and running.
On This Day… October 21
Today we look at a dominant figure on the international landscape. He conducted, amongst other fine orchestras, the Bavarian State Orchestra, the Royal Opera House at Covent Gardens, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he conducted 999 performances before his untimely death. Sir George Solti, born on this day in 1912. Continue reading “On This Day… October 21”
On This Day… October 20
Today we take a slight departure and look not at a composer, nor a piece, but a venue. This venue is one of the greatest performing arts venues built in the 20th century. It has become one of the greatest Australian landmarks, and is now listed amongst UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is of course, the Sydney Opera House, which opened on this day in 1973. Continue reading “On This Day… October 20”
On This Day… October 19
When talking about the world of violin concertos, there are two that dominate. Tchaikovsky’s concerto in D major is incredible, but just as important is the subject of today’s post. Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in d minor, premiered on this day in 1905. Continue reading “On This Day… October 19”
On This Day… October 18
Today we look at Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Written for cellist Robert Hausmann and violinist Joseph Joachim, it was the last work that Brahms wrote for orchestra. Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102, premiered on this day in 1887. Continue reading “On This Day… October 18”
On This Day… October 17
Today we look at one of the largest figures in the world of Romantic Piano. One of the greatest Polish composers, Frederic Chopin, died on this day in 1849. Continue reading “On This Day… October 17”
On This Day… October 16
In my most recent WA Youth Orchestra concert, we performed the piece that we look at today. Our conductor talked about the special moments that we could have in our musical careers, and the Last movement of this symphony was one of them. Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique, Symphony Number 6, premiered on this day in 1893. Continue reading “On This Day… October 16”
Money Money all around, and not a cent to spare
Today is Blog Action Day, in which over 10,000 blogs have signed up pledging to write about this years topic, which is Poverty. The goal is to raise awareness about this issue, in the variety of forms that each blog comes in. It’s taken me a little while to figure out what I shall write about on this blog (you can check out my work blog posts at the Churches WA Website). Continue reading “Money Money all around, and not a cent to spare”
On This Day… October 15
Today we look at a piece that did a lot to introduce the magnificent instrument of the orchestra to young people. It also ended up being one of his most popular works. Benjamin Britten’s <em>The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra</em>, premiered on this day in 1946.<!–more–>
Originally written as accompanying music for a BBC documentary <em>Instruments of the Orchestra</em>, it was actually premiered on this day by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1946 (the documentary used the London Symphony Orchestra, and was premiered on the 29th of November, 1946). Britten started composing this work in mid-December, 1945, and continued writing up to midnight, New Years Eve, 1945.
The piece itself consists of a theme (from Purcell’s <em>Abdelazar</em>) and variations, with each variation introducing a new instrument, and a final fugue in which all the instruments are put together. The instruments are introduced by family – winds, strings, brass and percussion. The fugue is based on an original theme, and once every instrument has entered, the brass are used to return Purcell’s original motive.
There are two different versions, one with narration and one without. The narration was written by Britten’s friend Eric Crozier, and designed to be spoken by the conductor or a separate narrator.
Today we have a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra, with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting.
Did you like the performance? Do you prefer this, or other popular children’s pieces such as Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, or Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf? Let me know in the comments, or write a post on your own blog, linking back to this post, and I’ll add a link below.
On This Day… October 14
Today we look at one of the major pieces of the violin repertoire. Antonin Dvorak’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 108, premiered on this day in 1883. Continue reading “On This Day… October 14”
Ben Clapton 