Mozart
Child Mozart in
Schönbrunn Palace
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Ballet Sleeping Beauty
Classical Music Milestone: January 15.
Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Sleeping Beauty” first performed January 15, 1890, staged in St. Petersburg.
The music of Piotr I. Tchaikovsky is popular than ever. From the cascading notes of his Piano Concerto No.1 to the captivating melodies of his ballet music Sleeping Beauty, his works are wrapped with emotional power. His intensity and musical ability are heard in his varied music and songs including that endearing “None but the Lonely Heart.” Thanks to YouTube and uploaded by SuperBalletGirl101, here’s “Garland Dance” from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty. With artists of the Royal Ballet. Royal Opera House, 2006.
Related article:
Sleeping Beauty Ballet Waltz – Royal Ballet (Credit: YouTube, uploaded by SuperBalletGirl101)
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Verdi Opera Aida
Verdi opera Aida is first performed in Cairo’s Khedival Theater, on December 24, 1871.
Aida is a four-act melodrama opera. Composed by Giuseppe Verdi (October 9/10, 1813 – January 27, 1901), libretto is written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, after a scenario by French Auguste Mariette and a French prose version by Camille du Locle. It was composed by Verdi between 1870-1871. The first performance was on December 24, 1871, Opera House, Cairo, Italy, and on February 8, 1872, in La Scala, Milan.
One of the most famous opera by Verdi, Aida was commissioned by Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt. Production was delayed by the Franco-Prussian war and Giuseppe Verdi donated a portion of his considerable fee to the victims of the siege of Paris. Today, Aida is as popular as ever all over the world, including many recordings. Act one has some famous and best-loved scenes. Verdi did not attend this premiere.
Please refer to the cast of characters and synopsis from my earlier article - Verdi Opera Aida
Triumphal March from Verdi Opera Aida
Video Credit from YouTube:
Triumphal March from Aida, uploaded by ClaudioDavidT. Accessed, Dec 26, 2011.
Note: This post is originally published Dec 26, 2007. Updated Dec. 26, 2011 to include video.
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Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez Premiere
Classical Music Milestone: November 9
Composer Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, for guitar and orchestra, premieres in Barcelona, Spain.
The Concierto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo is first performed on November 9, 1940. It is a composition for classical guitar and orchestra. Written in 1939, it is considered his best-known work, and its worldwide success established his reputation as one of the most significant Spanish composers of the 20th century.
Dateline of Concierto de Aranjuez:
- Premiere: November 9, 1940
- Guitarist: Regino Sainz de la Maza
- Orchestra: Orquesta Filarmónica de Barcelona
- Conductor: César Mendoza Lasalle
- Venue: Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain
Music Movements
This concerto is in the traditional three movements:
- Allegro con spirito
- Adagio
- Allegro gentile
The second movement is marked by its slow pace and quiet melody, introduced by the English horn, with a soft accompaniment by the guitar and strings.
Narciso Yepes – Concierto de Aranjuez (2)
Video:
YouTube, Narciso Yepes – Concierto de Aranjuez uploaded by bonsillens
Sources:
- Annala, Hannu; Heiki Mätlik (2008). Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers. Mel Bay Publications.
- Coelho, Victor; Jonathan Cross (2003). The Cambridge Companion to the Guitar. Cambridge University Press.
- Morris, Mark (1999). The Pimlico Dictionary of Twentieth Century Composers. London. Pimlico.
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Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 Premiere
Classical Music Milestone: November 9
Composer Johannes Brahms is soloist in the first performance of his Piano Concerto No.2 at Budapest.
Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op.83 is a composition for solo piano with orchestral accompaniment. November 9, 1881 marks the day that the composer first performed it in Budapest, himself the soloist. It is separated by a gap of 22 years from his first piano concerto.
He began work on the piece in 1878, completing it in 1881 while in Pressbaum near Vienna, Austria. He dedicated this piece of music to his teacher, Eduard Marxsen. The premiere was an immediate success. Brahms performed it in many cities across Europe soon after.
The piece is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (B-flat), 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets (B-flat), timpani (B-flat and F), and strings. (The trumpets and timpani are used only in the first two movements, which is considered unusual.)
Rather than the typical three movements of a concerto in the Classical and Romantic periods, this piece has four, resulting in a lengthier concerto at that time.
- Allegro non troppo (B-flat major)
- Allegro appassionato (D minor)
- Andante (B-flat major/F-sharp major)
- Allegretto grazioso (B-flat major)
Note: Below, I’ve included a 2nd performance with Pollini / Abbado concert, Vienna Philharmonica, as some readers may want a video more with actual performance.
Sviatoslav Richter plays Brahms Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 (1/5)
Video Credit:
Richter plays Brahms’ Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat major, Op.83 YouTube Uploaded by truecrypt –
http://youtu.be/Z4Z2gjSzyDY. Accessed 9 Nov 2011.
Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 Pollini Abbado Wiener Philharmoniker 2.avi
Video Credit:
Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 Pollini Abbado Wiener Philharmoniker 2.avi. YouTube Uploaded by 12clar3412clar34. http://youtu.be/zfQf19EFv38. Accessed 9 Nov 2011.
Sources:
- Brahms’ Orchestra Works (free music score of this composition available. In public domain.)
- Piano_Concerto_No.2_Op.83_(Brahms,_Johannes) Free scores at the imslp.org (International Music Score Library Project)
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