Thank you for highlighting Orff, whose music seems fallen out of his time, as if it were drawing from deeper, more ancient sources (a bit like Bruckner, though very different in style and effect). The carmina are rough and wonderful, definitely worth listening to the entire composition.
So much Cleveland Orchestra material, and none of it conducted by George Szell, who is the reason that orchestra is what it is?
I'll just add to this Szell's recording of the Schubert Great Symphony (no.9), which is notable for treating the Andante as an Andante, not as an (interminable) Adagio the way so many conductors do.
Perhaps he could do a "great composers for dummies" series on some of the greats, e.g., Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, etc., and their best known works, and how best to appreciate them.
For instance, I like to think that I know quite a bit of Bach because I was born, baptized, and confirmed Lutheran, and since 1996, have attended a Lutheran church with one helluva music program! (Along with being able to sing most of the choral parts of the "Christmas" portion of Handel's "Messiah" from memory--both the tenor and bass!) But then again, I've been called delusional before!
The final installment of this series is all Pop and Rock music, what I call "Guilty Pleasure" music. No Phil Spector music per se, but I am sure that Spector would have loved to have produced the Richard Harris single "MacArthur Park," with its 35-piece orchestra.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes MacArthur Park. I was going to say something truly unkind about the author but I just discovered to my surprise that he is still alive.
I LOVE MACARTHUR PARK! And, I think it is very misunderstood. So, hold tight, and a week from now you can read the backstory. It's not just a word salad.
The girl he wanted to marry dumped him, and then she had the frammis to invite him to be a guest at her outdoor wedding... in MacArthur Park. Where they used to go to eat lunch.
Which summoned up his memory of someone else's large family birthday party that was interrupted by a squall.
So basically what the song says it's about. Next you are going to say "My beautiful balloon" is also a misunderstood masterpiece and is about a, wait for it, balloon?
I listen to Holst's The Planets whenever I get a chance. I've always thought about seeking out his other works, and this has given me a good reason to do so. I will continue expanding my musical horizons. Thank you!
Nothing else of Holst’s really sounds like the Planets. Rather atypical, as he never used such a large orchestra again. You might try Hymn of Jesus, a setting from the Apocrypha. The Charles Groves recording from the 70’s sounds great, and is streaming from the usual suspects. Also, the two suites for military band are delightful.
Here's a nice performance of Delius's small-scaled masterpiece "The Walk to the Paradise Garden" from his opera "A Village Romeo and Juliet." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltjivLebqbs
Thank you for highlighting Orff, whose music seems fallen out of his time, as if it were drawing from deeper, more ancient sources (a bit like Bruckner, though very different in style and effect). The carmina are rough and wonderful, definitely worth listening to the entire composition.
So much Cleveland Orchestra material, and none of it conducted by George Szell, who is the reason that orchestra is what it is?
I'll just add to this Szell's recording of the Schubert Great Symphony (no.9), which is notable for treating the Andante as an Andante, not as an (interminable) Adagio the way so many conductors do.
One of my Desert Island recordings is the Oistrakh/Cleveland/Szell Brahms Violin Concerto.
But I don't use it as an audio test track. So, these lists are filtered, but for the purpose.
BTW, I should have mentioned the Telarc Robert Shaw Atlanta Carmina Burana CD, which did much to publicize Carmina Burana via stereo stores.
ciao,
john
When someone asks me about the musical concept of the Circle Of Fifths, or if (Orff?) I hear it mentioned, how do I respond?
Vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, tequila! (And brandy's gotta go someplace--she was such a fine girl!)
Yes, remember to tip your bartender! And apologize if he or she cracks their head open if they can't catch themselves!
My go-to Beethoven symphony set is Szell, but for the performance, not the sound.
And I wrote earlier that as long as Mr. Marks kept writing these, I would keep thanking him. So, thanks again!
Perhaps he could do a "great composers for dummies" series on some of the greats, e.g., Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, etc., and their best known works, and how best to appreciate them.
For instance, I like to think that I know quite a bit of Bach because I was born, baptized, and confirmed Lutheran, and since 1996, have attended a Lutheran church with one helluva music program! (Along with being able to sing most of the choral parts of the "Christmas" portion of Handel's "Messiah" from memory--both the tenor and bass!) But then again, I've been called delusional before!
Well, the course that I am ready to teach is:
15 Albums for Cultural Literacy in American Music.
What do people think if I cover one album a week for 15 weeks?
john
That'd be cool!
Does Aaron Copeland fall somewhere in there? Can't argue with "Appalachian Spring!"
In place of Copeland, I suggest Roy Harris's Symphony No. 3, which has the advantage of being wonderful but unknown.
john
Sounds great. I do not have enough listening time to keep up in near real time, so any pace you choose would work.
I keep waiting for something from Phil Spector.
The final installment of this series is all Pop and Rock music, what I call "Guilty Pleasure" music. No Phil Spector music per se, but I am sure that Spector would have loved to have produced the Richard Harris single "MacArthur Park," with its 35-piece orchestra.
john
Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes MacArthur Park. I was going to say something truly unkind about the author but I just discovered to my surprise that he is still alive.
I LOVE MACARTHUR PARK! And, I think it is very misunderstood. So, hold tight, and a week from now you can read the backstory. It's not just a word salad.
john
Somebody is still pissed about leaving the damned cake outside, and it got wet!
Put the damn thing in a carrier, then! Sheesh!
The girl he wanted to marry dumped him, and then she had the frammis to invite him to be a guest at her outdoor wedding... in MacArthur Park. Where they used to go to eat lunch.
Which summoned up his memory of someone else's large family birthday party that was interrupted by a squall.
Cut the guy some slack, OK?
He thought it was FOREVER.
john
Sorry! I hope you didn't just give away some of the final installment!
So basically what the song says it's about. Next you are going to say "My beautiful balloon" is also a misunderstood masterpiece and is about a, wait for it, balloon?
I listen to Holst's The Planets whenever I get a chance. I've always thought about seeking out his other works, and this has given me a good reason to do so. I will continue expanding my musical horizons. Thank you!
Nothing else of Holst’s really sounds like the Planets. Rather atypical, as he never used such a large orchestra again. You might try Hymn of Jesus, a setting from the Apocrypha. The Charles Groves recording from the 70’s sounds great, and is streaming from the usual suspects. Also, the two suites for military band are delightful.
Oh, that is good to know. Thank you for the advice.
i recommend liadov and scriabin for interesting listening
Holst kind of ranks with Sibelius ;)
Amen! Great comment.
I'd also recommend exploring Frederick Delius.
john
Here's a nice performance of Delius's small-scaled masterpiece "The Walk to the Paradise Garden" from his opera "A Village Romeo and Juliet." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltjivLebqbs