Steve Reich: Piano Phase Context Steve Reich is known for his contributions to the minimalist movement of the twentieth century. As the title suggests, minimalism is a form of art music that uses minimal musical material to achieve maximum effects. Reich, with other composers such as Philip Glass and John Adams, Read more…
Erik Satie: Je te veux Erik Satie’s instantly recognisable Je te veux was originally scored for voice and piano, however, over the years this well-loved melody has also been scored for chamber orchestra, and most famously – solo piano. Translated into English, the title simply means ‘I Want You’, and the original song Read more…
Franz Liszt: Liebestraum No.3 Franz Liszt was born in 1811 in Hungary, into an already well-established musical family. His father, Adam Liszt, had been in service for Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy. This meant he was in direct contact with prolific composers such as Haydn, Beethoven and Hummel. At a young age, Liszt Read more…
Richard Peaslee: Nightsongs Richard Peaslee was born in New York City in 1930. He studied composition at Yale University, and began to specialise in big band music. With Peaslee’s breadth of knowledge, his style has been described as eclectic due to his use of jazz, folk, electronic and instrumental extended techniques. Read more…
Rebecca Clarke: Sonata for Viola and Piano Remembered today as one of the finest chamber music composers of the twentieth century, Rebecca Clarke’s (1886-1979) Sonata for Viola and Piano is a staple in viola repertoire. Although her compositional output wasn’t large like some of her contemporaries, the works that were composed were praised Read more…
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight Sonata) Composed in 1801, Beethoven’s fourteenth piano sonata is perhaps his most famous. Now known as the Moonlight Sonata, this solo work for piano is regularly performed around the world in recitals, exams, and in homes. The work was dedicated to the Austrian countess, Read more…
Dearest readers, welcome to Classicalexburns – the No. 1 classical music blog in the world! I am glad to find some time on this busy Easter weekend to write a blog on a suite of music I am very fond of. I shall be looking into English composer, Paul Reade, Read more…
Dearest readers, we have made it to Day ‘I’ of my jam-packed October Alphabet Challenge! Today, I shall be delving into the musical world of John Ireland, and his set of three miniatures for piano – Decorations. John Ireland was born in Bowdon, Cheshire in 1879, and was the youngest of Read more…
Dearest readers, the time has come to begin the annual Classicalexburns ‘Alphabet Challenge’, which is usually in August, however, due to my previous MA responsibilities it has been moved to October. If you’re new to my blog, here is some information on the Alphabet Challenge – over the next month Read more…
Dearest readers, it has been a couple of weeks since my last post, but my Masters degree has had to take priority. Not long until I can blog much more regularly! Today’s blog is based on a wonderful Nocturne by Polish composer, Frédérich Chopin. This piece was chosen by my Read more…