Signs of Spring
As many of the Primary Classes are studying Spring I thought I would contribute by including references to two different composers who wrote instrumental music about insects that help pollinate gardens.
The first composer is named Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He was consider one of the great Russian nationalist composers of the Romantic period of music. He wrote a composition for orchestra entitled “Flight of the Bumblee” (1899 – 1900). It was originally written as an orchestral interlude for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan.
The second composer is named Frederic Chopin. He was a Polish composer and considered to be one of the best virtuoso pianists of the Romantic period. He wrote primarily solo piano repertoire and entitled Etude Opus 25, No. 9 in G-flat major the “Butterfly” etude. (An etude is a short yet difficult musical composition that demonstrates a particular fingering skill or technique.)
Can you imagine both insects when you hear the compositions played? The Romantic Period of Classical Music includes many compositions that use different instruments and playing techniques to replicate sounds of nature or common experiences.