Today we look at the premiere of a piece commissioned by Princess Edomnd de Polignac. Her original request was for “a piece for soloists, choir, orchestra (perhaps with Polish text) – a king of Polish requiem.” Karol Szymanowski composed his Stabat Mater, premiered on this day in 1929.
Category: On This Day
On This Day – January 10
This celebrated cellist won 6th prize at the 1966 Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition, studied with Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky, and has recorded with numerous artists from all over the world. Mischa Maisky, born on this day in 1948.
On This Day – January 9
Today we look at a film composer who composed one of the most well known TV theme tunes. They’re creepy, they’re kooky, he’s Victor Mizzy, born on this day in 1922.
On This Day – January 8
Today we look at one of the early masters of violin writing, an Italian violinist and composer in the Baroque period. Arcangelo Corelli, died on this day in 1713.
On This Day – January 7
Today we celebrate a member of Les Six, who composed music in all major genres including art song, chamber music, oratorio, opera, ballet music and orchestral music. He has been described as “half bad boy, half monk” by critic Claude Rostand. Francis Poulenc, born on this day in 1899.
On This Day – January 6
Today we look at a romantic composer who wrote over 200 works. His most famous are his three violin concerti. Max Bruch, born on this day in 1938. Continue reading “On This Day – January 6”
On This Day – January 5
Today we look at a concerto that inspires humanity. Written for Paul Wittgenstein who lost his right arm during World War 1, it reminds us that music eats at us, and if something gets in the way of us doing it, we will find a way to do it no matter what. Ravel’s Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand, premiered on this day in 1932. Continue reading “On This Day – January 5”
On This Day – January 4
Today we look at a composer who is often over looked, but produced some fantastic works. Son-in-law and student of Antonin Dvorak, he was also a fantastic violinist and formed the Czech Quartet. Josef Suk, born on this day in 1874.
On This Day – January 3
Continuing on in the Opera tradition, today we look at an opera buffa or comic opera. One of the last operas composed by this composer, it returns to the stock characters of the commedia dell’arte. Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, premiered on this day in 1843.
On This Day – January 2
Today we look at an opera that shows early attempts of the styles that would characterise the composers later works. Inspired through a stormy sea crossing, and a retelling by Heinrich Heine in a satirical novel "The Memoirs of Mister von Scnabelewopski" this opera focusses on a ship captain, condemned to sail until Judgement Day. Der fliegende Holländer, or The Flying Dutchman, by Richard Wagner, premiered on this day in 1843.
Ben Clapton 