Ludwig van Beethoven

As requested, this week’s musician is Beethoven, a composer who was important in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras.

Here are some of his famous works:
– Symphony No.3 in E flat, op.55 – ‘Eroica’
– Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (listen to this fun version with commentary on what’s happening in the music)
– Symphony No.7 in A, op.92
– Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125 – ‘Choral’ (“Ode to Joy” at 14:20)
– String Quartet No.14 in C sharp minor, op.131
– Violin Concerto in D, op.61 (soloist starts at 3:45)
– Violin Sonata No.9, op.47 – Kreutzer Sonata
– Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor (Fur Elise)
– Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2: Sonata quasi una fantasia (Moonlight Sonata)
– Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major “Emperor” (last completed piano concerto)
– Piano Sonata No.30 in E, op.109
– Fidelio, op.72 (opera)

(Franz) Joseph Haydn

This week’s musician is an important composer from the Classical Period: Joseph Haydn, whose birthday is this Wednesday (March 31)! One of his famous works, The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross, is fitting for Good Friday this week.

Some of this famous works:
– Surprise Symphony (No. 94) (Watch the whole symphony)
– The Paris Symphonies, Nos 82-87 (No. 86)
– The London Symphonies, Vol 1 (Nos 95, 96, 98, 102, 103, 104)
– String Quartets, Op.64 Nos 1 – 6
– String Quartets, Op.76 Nos 1 – 6 (No. 3 “Emperor”)
– The Seven Last Words Of Christ On The Cross (FOUR versions: originally an orchestral work, commissioned in 1786 for a Good Friday service in Spain –> adapted it in 1787 for string quartet –> approved a version for solo piano in the same year –> adapted in 1796 as an oratorio, with both solo and choral vocal forces)
– Missa In Angustiis (Nelson Mass)
– The Creation
– The Seasons
– Cello Concerto No 1
– Trumpet Concerto

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

May be an image of 1 person Today is the birthday of our musician of the week, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a famous composer from the Classical Period (right after the Baroque Period). We are listening to some of his famous works:
Eine kleine Nachtmusik (German: “A Little Night Music”)
Symphony No.41 In C (nicknamed “Jupiter” after the chief Roman god; watch the VSO’s performance starting at 14:37)
Piano Sonata No 11 (last movement “Rondo alla Turca”)
Piano Sonata No. 16
Variations on Ah Vous Dirai-je Maman (later known as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
Overture from The Marriage of Figaro (a comic opera about pranks before Figaro’s wedding)
Queen of the Night Aria (featured in this Volvo commercial) from The Magic Flute (his last opera, about a damsel in distress and the handsome prince who rescues her), see this recording of a boy singing these high notes!
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (clarinet was the first band instrument I learned in grade 6!)