Day 16 and 17, Jan. 28 and 29 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Here are two fantastic selections from the Romantic period. The first is Debussy's tone poem La Mer which conjures images of the turmoil and peace of the sea. The second is Prokofiev's Lt. Kije suite. This movement is The Troika. My daughters are performing it with the KW Symphony Youth Orchestra on Sat.  Jan. 29th, 2011. Enjoy!

Today's classical music listening challenge is Debussy's La Mer - a great example of program music! http://youtu.be/4240QMQ1jhU

Debussy: La Mer / Abbado · Berliner Philharmoniker

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Watch the complete performance now:http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/concert/31Claude Debussy: La Mer / Claudio Abbado, conductor · Berliner Philharmoniker ...

Prokofiev's Lt. Kije Suite - Troika, http://youtu.be/MECrNVAB-BE  is one of the selections being performed at this afternoon's Youth Orchestra concert.

Cleveland Orchestra: Lieutenant Kije - Symphonic Suite, Op. 60: IV. Troika

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PART 8 of 8, Tree of Trees, IBM Exhibit C by soror Nishi.Cleveland Orchestra - Lieutenant Kije - Symphonic Suite, Op. 60: IV. Troika. Tree of Trees, IBM Exhi...

Day 15, Jan. 27: Classical Music Listening Challenge

Last night at orchestra rehearsal we were discussing this piece. Some of us had never heard of Schubert's octet before - it's not as well-known perhaps as the Mendelssohn octet. However, it is still an awesome piece of music.

Today's classical music listening challenge, Schubert Octet S. 803, 3rd mvt. -The new israeli ensemble http://youtu.be/kjVzaqtWIvQ We were just talking about this at orchestra rehearsal last night.

Schubert Octet S. 803, 3rd mvt.-The new israeli ensemble

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Schubert Octet D. 803, The new israeli ensemble: Ron Selka- Clarinet Gad Lederman- Bassoon Yoel Abadi- Horn Yevgenia Pikovsky- 1st Violin Yelena Tishin- 2nd ...

Day 14, Jan. 26: Classical Music Listening Challenge

A classic for the organ by Bach.

Today's classical music listening challenge -- J.S. Bach - Toccata and Fugue BWV 565 http://t.co/7SjLtrd Awesome!

J.S. Bach - Toccata und Fuge BWV 565

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J.S. Bach - Toccata und Fuge BWV 565 played by Hans-Andre Stamm

Day 13, Jan. 25: Classical Music Listening Challenge

I love Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Today's classical music listening challenge - Elgar's Nimrod from "Enigma Variations", conducted by Daniel Barenboim, Chicago Symphony Orchestra - http://youtu.be/sUgoBb8m1eE Very powerful music!

Elgar - Nimrod (from "Enigma Variations")

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Daniel Barenboim with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, opening the 1997 season at Carnegie Hall in this gorgeously performed dedication to the recently deceas...

Day 12, Jan. 24: Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's classical music listening challenge is Sibelius' 1st symphony which begins with a haunting clarinet solo. Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Bernstein! http://youtu.be/6cujUWGaq34

Sibelius Symphony No.1 (Bernstein) 1/5

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Sibelius Symphony №1 e-moll, Op.39Wiener Philharmoniker,Leonard Bernstein1990

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Day 10, Jan. 22: Classical Music Listening Challenge

Get your tissues ready - this one is a real tear-jerker! Benjamin Zander uses this piece in a Ted Talk about Music and Passion. He cleverly explains the music to his audience then asks them to think about a loved one that is no longer with them while they listen. The effect is palpable. This prelude was also used in the movie "The Notebook" with great effect.

I think Zander is on the right track. If we want to get more people interested in classical music, helping them make connections is really important as well as teaching them about the purpose or background of the music. At school, I will often read a text and set it to music. If the piece chosen is complementary, it really makes the text come alive.

Today's classical music listening challenge is Chopin's Prelude No. 4, Op. 28 http://youtu.be/lt-NZMiCQLg This very sad music was used in the movie "The Notebook" - real tear-jerker! Benjamin Zander used this piece in his amazing Ted Talk on Music and Passion. Check it out athttp://bit.ly/BjwVb.

Richter plays Chopin Prelude no.4 op.28

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Composer : Frédéric Chopin ( 1 March 1810 - 17 October 1849 )Composition : Prelude no.4 op.28Interpreter : Svjatoslav Teofilovič Richter ( 20 March 1915 - 1 ...

Day 11, Jan. 23: Classical Music Listening Challenge

Maxim Vengerov is a wonderful violinist but how does he fare as a conductor? Watch him in this recording of Tchaikovsky's beautiful Serenade for Strings. He certainly is passionate about the music but is it a little too distracting? I get the feeling this group would play just as well without him leading.

Today's classical music listening challenge: Tchaikovsky's beautiful Serenade for Strings http://youtu.be/su5sA35TcR8. I didn't know Maxim Vengerov also conducted? What do you think?

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Mvmt. 1 - Vengerov, VFCO

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Пётр Ильич Чайковский (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo - Allegro moderatoMa...

Day 9, Jan. 21 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Another great romantic composer, Schumann!

Today's listening challenge is Schumann's Symphony No.4 conducted by Leonard Bernstein 1/3 http://t.co/8tJSWM9.

Schumann: Symphony No.4 (Bernstein) 1/3

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Schumann: Symphony No.4 d-moll, Op.120Wiener PhilharmonikerLeonard BernsteinUnitel 1985/1986

Day 8, Jan. 20 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's piece is one I played at music camp many years ago.

Today's classical music listening challenge - Aram Khachaturyan Waltz "Masquerade", http://bit.ly/cwJlQ7 Spine tingling!

Aram Khachaturyan Waltz "Masquerade"

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Orquesta Filarmonica de AcapulcoDirector - Davit Terzyan

Day 7, Jan. 19 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's classical music listening challenge is from the opera Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart. The aria "Il mio tesoro intanto" is sung by tenor Michael Schade who has an exquisite, expressive voice!

Today's classical music listening challenge - "Il mio tesoro intanto" from Mozarts's great opera Don Giovanni - http://youtu.be/-v_4ZSDYdAs. This is sung by tenor Michael Schade who I went to school with at Western. What a beautiful and expressive voice he has!

Il mio tesoro intanto Michael Schade

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Don GiovanniWolfgang Amadeus MozartIl mio tesoro intantoDon Ottavio.....Michael SchadeConductor.......Ricardo MutiViena 20/06/1999

Day 4, Jan. 16 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's listening challenge: Brahms Symphony 3, 3rd mvmt. Beautiful French horn & oboe solos! http://bit.ly/9gGH4K & http://bit.ly/2YUV8w

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 / Rattle · Berliner Philharmoniker

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Watch the complete performance now:http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/concert/22Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 / Sir Simon Rattle, conductor · Berliner Phil...

Day 6, Jan. 18 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's classical music listening challenge: Gustav Mahler - Adagietto from Symphony no. 5 Breathtaking! http://youtu.be/VWPACef2_eY

Gustav Mahler - Adagietto from Symphony no. 5

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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Gustav Mahler's Adagietto from his 5th Symphony in C sharp minor.

Day 5, Jan. 17 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's listening challenge: Brahms Symphony 3, 3rd mvmt. Beautiful French horn & oboe solos! http://bit.ly/9gGH4K & http://bit.ly/2YUV8w

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 / Rattle · Berliner Philharmoniker

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Watch the complete performance now:http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/concert/22Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 / Sir Simon Rattle, conductor · Berliner Phil...

LA Phil Live - Coming to a Theatre Near You

LA Phil live - coming to a theatre near you! http://www.laphil.com/laphillive/

LA Phil LIVE | LA Phil

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Immerse yourself in a full concert performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by dynamic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, live from Walt Disney Concert Hall!

Day 3, Jan. 15 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's classical music listening challenge - Finlandia by Sibelius.http://bit.ly/eYkt5v It was used in the movie Hunt for Red October.http://bit.ly/eeXic8

Sibelius Finlandia

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Finlandia performed by the HSPVA Symphony on December 15, 2007.

Day 2, Jan. 14 - Classical Music Listening Challenge

Today's selection is a piece introduced to me in university - Prokofiev's music from the ballet Romeo and Juliet. Our orchestra performed it on a tour of Ontario. I remember performing it in Toronto and in Ottawa. A number of suites of orchestral music were arranged from the ballet music.

Today's classical music listening challenge: Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet, 2 of my favourite mvmts! http://bit.ly/xD3n3 & http://bit.ly/i7qHku

romeo et juliette Prokofiev

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direction: alexandra cravero, Orchestre des laureats du conservatoire, suite pour orchestre, 1er mouvement,

Day 1, Jan. 13: Classical Music Listening Challenge

Inspired by the wonderful classical music used in the movie "The King's Speech", I have decided to start a classical music listening challenge. Each day, I am planning to promote one work in the multitude of amazing repertoire readily available to audiences throughout the world. I hope to inspire people to give this type of music a chance. In an age where orchestral audiences are dwindling and music programs are being cut in schools, we need to educate people and promote awareness of this incredible medium. Imagine a movie score, without music to enhance it. No words are sufficient to represent the myriad of emotions music can inspire.

I am beginning with one of my favourite Beethoven symphonies - Symphony No. 7. The second movement of this piece is set against a speech made by King George VI in the movie "The King's Speech". It is dramatic and poignant, the perfect match to represent both the difficulties of the Second World War and of the King's struggle to overcome his speech impediment.

Consider taking this challenge even if you aren't a classical music lover. You'll be amazed at the beauty of the music!

Enjoy!

Beethoven's Symphony 7, 2nd mvmt - http://bit.ly/o7Vgf. 

Carlos Kleiber -Beethoven symphony No.7, Op.92 : mov.2

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