classical
Beat showcases all things classical; get your fix of Beethoven, Bach and beyond with plenty of Pomp and even more Circumstance.
"Der Freischutz", an opera by Carl Maria von Weber
Carl Maria von Weber was born in Eutin (in what is now northern Germany) on 18th November 1786 and died in London (during a visit) on 5th June 1826. He is best known today for a handful of operas, including Der Freischutz and Oberon, his second clarinet concerto, which is one of the finest works in the clarinet repertoire, and the orchestral "Invitation to the Dance". A contemporary of Beethoven and Schubert, he was one of the progenitors of the Romantic movement in European music.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
Cosi Fan Tutte, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart cannot be held totally responsible for the absurdities of the plot of this delightful "chamber opera", because the libretto was the work of Lorenzo Da Ponte, an interesting character in his own right. He was an Italian Jew who converted to Catholicism, changed his name, moved to Vienna, and ended his days in New York as a naturalised American. Cosi Fan Tutte, which appears to have come from nowhere but Da Ponte's own head, has caused justifiable angst in modern times, with its suggestion that women are fickle and easily led astray.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
The Barber of Seville, by Gioacchino Rossini
Gioacchino Rossini was born on 29th February 1792, and thus only had a birthday once every four years! He wrote 40 operas between 1810 and 1829, after which he retired from composing operas for the remaining 39 years of his life before his death on 13th November 1868.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
Aida, by Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi was born near Busseto, Italy, in October 1813 and died in Milan in January 1901. He wrote more than 30 operas, Aida being one of the most celebrated. The book was written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, and the opera was commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt. The first production was in Cairo on 24 December 1871 and it has been an operatic standard ever since at opera houses all over the world. However, some of the most remarkable performances have been in the open air with the Pyramids as the backdrop, which would seem to be the most appropriate setting of all.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
Classically Trained Pianist wants his Multiverse Zenkora to become Household Name like Marvel, Harry Potter, or Star Wars
Composer Wesley Chu introduces us to the Zenkora Universe Music. Will out. Always. Indeed, music is irrepressible. Even though there were no live music shows during the pandemic, people found ways to perform virtual shows, while other musicians recorded new material remotely. Or, like classically trained pianist, Wesley Chu, who has performed in front of the Queen, the Pope and Nelson Mandela, they continued to dream up new ways to make music a centerpiece of the post-pandemic world.
By ashley collie5 years ago in Beat
The Classical Era in Music
The term “classical” is often used to mean what might otherwise be called “serious” music, to distinguish it from pop, rock, folk, jazz or any other classification. These terms are never satisfactory, however, and often give rise to confusion.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
The Romantic Era in Music
The Romantic era in music is generally taken to mean the period from about 1820 to 1920, which was a century during which a massive amount of music in all genres was produced, and it must also represent the greatest concentration of “famous” composers, if by that is meant those whose works are performed regularly today and which are instantly recognisable.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
The Enigma Variations, by Edward Elgar
The Enigma Variations is one of the most popular orchestral works written by the English composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934). It comprises a theme and 14 variations, the last one also doubling as the work’s finale. It was composed in 1898-9 and was first performed in London on 19th June 1899 when it was an immediate success.
By John Welford5 years ago in Beat
