whskyjack

Quartet in A major, op2 by Richard Strauss

Composed by Strauss, early in his career, when he was 18. Amazing especially when I think of what I was doing at 18

From some research

While Strauss did not, in later life, devote much time to chamber music, in his earlier years he tried his hands at several different types of chamber works composing a string quartet, two piano trios, a piano quartet and several instrumental sonatas.

During his early years, Strauss took Schumann and Mendelssohn as his models. The String Quartet, which dates from 1882, is typical of his style at this time. Later, of course, he came under the influence of the new tonalities of Liszt, Berlioz and Wagner. Although the Quartet is the work of an 18 year old, knowledgeable critics have never considered it a juvenile work. Wilhelm Altmann, the Dean of Chamber Music Critics, writes, “There are so many pleasing features and it is so delightful to play, and so full of sound musicianship, that it will always be sure of a welcome among players and listeners.” Link

Enjoy, Jack

Yesterday August 29th was Charlie Parker’s birthday. He would have been 106. He was also known as Bird or Yardbird. In honor of his birthday I have put together a short play list of some of his music.

Enjoy, Jack

Edward Elgar is an English composer of the late 19th and early 20th century. Best known with most people for his composition Pomp and Circumstance March, the middle section is the processional music for many high school and college graduations.

From Wikipedia:

Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, is a cornerstone of the solo cello repertoire. Elgar composed it in the aftermath of the First World War, when his music had already become out of fashion with the concert-going public. In contrast with Elgar’s earlier Violin Concerto, which is lyrical and passionate, the Cello Concerto is for the most part contemplative and elegiac.

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From Wikipedia:

The Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in A minor, D. 821, was written by Franz Schubert in Vienna in November 1824. The sonata is the only substantial composition extant today for the arpeggione (which was essentially a bowed guitar). The sonata was composed in November 1824, about a month after Schubert had returned to Vienna from his second stay in Zseliz. It has been adapted to other string instruments, especially the cello.

 Martha Argerich – on piano

Mischa Maisky on cello

Enjoy, Jack

A little Mozart for our Sunday morning; to calm the nerves.

Enjoy, Jack

Shakuhachi is the Japanese end-blown bamboo flute used by Fuke Zen monks during suizen (“blowing meditation”). The piece “Tsuru no Sugomori” (The Nesting of Cranes) is among the most revered solo shakuhachi honkyoku (original pieces), traditionally performed to invoke the spirit of cranes building a nest, calling, taking flight, and settling again.

Enjoy, Jack