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A Classical Music Mothers Day Weekend – Classical Music With Big Mike
As we enter the Mother’s Day weekend, I would like to wish a very Happy and Blessed Mother's Day to all, especially to all the wonderful Moms out there. On a personal note, me and my sister Susan and my brothers Sandy and Brad, as always, remember the blessing of our Mom, Reenie, who is…
Happy Birthday Brahms and Tchaikovsky – Classical Music With Big Mike
May 7th is the birth date for two of the giants in the Romantic Era of music, Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Brahms was born in the year of 1833 and seven years later in the year, 1840 was born Tchaikovsky. Both of these composers were known for their big orchestral sound filled with…
Puccini Sans Opera – Classical Music With Big Mike
Giacomo Puccini was one of the greatest Italian composers in the Romantic Era who is widely known for his magnificent luscious operas and the beautiful melodic arias they have produced. With a hat/tip to All Classical Portland, a Tune in Radio station I was listening to on my morning walk this Sunday March 25, 2023,…
Dvorak’s Largo For Cello and Piano – Classical Music With Big Mike
During my morning walk on Saturday [from June of 2017], I heard this beautiful version of the "going home" theme from the Largo movement of the Czech Romantic composer, Antonin Dvorak's wonderful "New World" Symphony, played on "All Classical Portland". The version I heard was for cello and piano. This is one of my favorite movements…
The Three Great Eras Of Classical Music – Classical Music With Big Mike
When one talks about classical music [the generic term] they are usually talking about the three great eras of music: Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. So, classical music is differentiated from the Classical era, as classical music is comprised of music from all those three eras and not just the Classical era. 1. Baroque Era: This…
Dvorak’s Use of Dynamics Enhances His New World Symphony – Classical Music With Big Mike
In classical music, dynamics means the volume [soft/loud] used in a piece of music. The two basic dynamic markings are soft, marked p [meaning piano], and loud marked f [meaning forte].Pianissimo, pp means play very softly. Fortissimo, ff means very loud. To have a phrase played the softest as possibly can be played is marked ppp [piano…
Happy Birthday Sergei Prokofiev – Classical Music With Big Mike
Happy Birthday Sergei Prokofiev On April 23, 1891, the Russian pianist, composer and conductor, Sergei Prokofiev, was born in Ukraine [at that time Russian Empire] and he died on March 5, 1953 in Moscow, Russia [Soviet Union]. From Wikipedia: Sergei Prokofiev: "A graduate of the Saint Petersburgh, Conservatory, Prokofiev initially made his name as an…
The Papa’s Piano – Classical Music With Big Mike
Franz Joseph Haydn, the great Austrian Classical Era composer, is known as Papa Haydn because he is considered the father of the classical symphony. Haydn composed 104 classical symphonies. A characteristic of a Haydn symphony is its bright, happy, playful nature. Audiences of the time loved their Papa Haydn because of the good feeling when listening to…
Chopin Magic – Classical Music With Big Mike
Chopin Magic 'Could it Be Magic', was the name of the pop song written by composer and singer Barry Manilow. It was magic, as it's opening was taken directly from one of my favorite Romantic Era composers, especially for piano music, Frederic Chopin. Barry Manilow Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, was the quintessential…
Happy Birthday JS Bach – Classical Music With Big Mike
The quintessential Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was born 339 years ago in Germany on either March 21, 1685 or March 31, 1685 - this time dispute relates to the change of calendars [Julian to Gregorian] during that time period. Because most musicologists celebrate Bach's birthday on March 31, this blog also will celebrate his…
Happy Birthday Franz Joseph Haydn – Classical Music With Big Mike
Franz Joseph Haydn: "(born March 31, 1732, Rohrau, Austria—died May 31, 1809, Vienna), [was an] Austrian composer who was one of the most important figures in the development of the Classical style in music during the 18th century." On this coming Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 we say Happy 292nd heavenly Birthday to this giant…
Bravo Cadenza! – Classical Music With Big Mike
Cadenza comes from the Italian word meaning cadence. It is generally an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played by the soloist in a concerto, usually in a "free" style, allowing for a virtuosic display by the soloist.Cadenza refers to that portion of a concerto in which the orchestra [tutti] will stop playing, leaving the soloist…
Happy #180 Heavenly Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Classical Music With Big Mike
Thia Monday, March 18, 2024 would be the 180th birthday of the Russian Romantic composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This from Wikipedia: "Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov[a] (March 18, 1844 – June 21, 1908) was a Russian composer, and a member of the group of [19th Century Russian] composers known as The Five [Rimsky-Korsakov, Mily Balakirev, Cesar Cui, Modest…
Radetsky March on Johann Strauss I Birthday – Classical Music With Big Mike
Thursday, March 14, is the birthday of Johann Strauss I. This from Wikipedia: "Johann Baptist Strauss I ... also , Johann Strauss Sr., the Elder, the Father, (March 14 1804 – September 25 1849) was an Austrian composer of the Romantic Period. He was famous for his light music, namely waltzes, polkas and galops, which…
Oboe Relaxation – Classical Music With Big Mike
I have come across a piece that is so pleasant and relaxing, I wanted to share it with you. It is Richard Strauss' Oboe Concerto in D-Major. Richard Strauss was a German composer and conductor in the late Romantic/early Modern eras of music. This was one of the last works Strauss composed - in 1945. …
Happy Birthday Samuel Barber – Classical Music With Big Mike
From Britannica-Samuel Barber: "Samuel Barber, (born March 9, 1910, West Chester, PA, died January 23, 1981, New York, NY), American composer who is considered one of the most expressive representatives of the lyric and Romantic trends in 20th-century classical music. "His [Samuel Barber] style was distinctive and modern but not experimental. He established his reputation…
Happy Birthday C.P.E. Bach – Classical Music With Big Mike
Maybe J.S. Bach's most famous child composer was his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, born in Weimar, Germany on March 8, 1714. C.P.E. Bach [March 8, 1714 - Dec. 14, 1788] From Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach - Wikipedia: " ... was a German Classical Period musician and composer, the fifth child and second surviving son…
Sheralyn’s Two Favorite Classical Music Pieces on Our Anniversary – Classical Music With Big Mike
I hope you don't mind this personal post on my classical music web site. On this Friday, March 8, 2024, will be my wife, Sheralyn, and my, 42nd Wedding Anniversary. How blessed I have been and on the other hand I must ask, what was she thinking of? :-) March 8, 1982 A few years…
Happy Birthday Maurice Ravel – Classical Music With Big Mike
One of the most beloved French composers was Maurice Ravel, born Ciboure, France on March 7, 1875. So, Ravel was born 149 years to the day on this Thursday, March 7, 2024. From Ravel-Wikipedia: "Joseph Maurice Ravel was a French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with impressionism along with his elder contemporary…
Happy Birthday Vivaldi #346 – Classical Music With Big Mike
Antonio Vivaldi born March 4, 1678, in Venice, was an Italian virtuoso violinist and one of the top Baroque composers. So, he was born 346 years to the day on this Monday, March 4, 2024. Antonio Vivaldi [March 4, 1678 - July 28, 1741] From Biography - Antonio Vivaldi Web Site: "Antonio Vivaldi was ordained…
Happy Birthday Chopin – Classical Music With Big Mike
From the Chopin Bio Web Site: "Frédéric Chopin was born Fryderyk Franciszek Szopen on March 1, 1810, in the small village of Zelazowa Wola, Duchy of Warsaw (now Poland)." Chopin, a child prodigy, was a great virtuoso pianist and composer for the piano during the Romantic era of music. Born in Poland he moved to…
Happy Birthday Gioachino Rossini – Classical Music With Big Mike
The great Italian composer of the Romantic Era, known for his operas [especially his comic operas], Gioachino Rossini was born on the last day of February [29th] in the year 1792 in Pesaro, Italy. He died November 13, 1868 near Paris, France. From Britannica Bio-Rossini: "[Rossini's operas] The Barber of Seville (1816), Cinderella (1817), and…
Mozart’s Soothing Kegelstatt Trio – Classical Music With Big Mike
On this hopefully peaceful Monday, I hope you will enjoy one of my favorite chamber music pieces that exudes a peaceful character, Mozart's trio for piano, clarinet and viola known as the Kegelstatt Trio. W.A. Mozart [Jan. 27, 1756 - Dec. 5, 1791] One of the reason it is one of my favorite chamber music…
Happy Birthday Handel – Classical Music With Big Mike
Today, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, marks the 339th birthday of the great Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel. George Frideric Handel [Feb. 23, 1685 - April 14, 1759] The great German born [who became a British citizen] Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel, was born 338 years ago on Feb. 23, 1685. Of course, the quintessential Baroque…
Ignaz Moscheles-Classical Pianist/Composer – Classical Music With Big Mike
In April of 2015, I was listening to my local classical music station in Houston when I heard this piano concerto I had never heard before. It had the structure of a classical era concerto and it sounded a little like a piece from the Italian composer Muzio Clementi or the Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel. But…
Poems From the Middle Ages Used In Carl Orff’s Epic Cantata, Carmina Burana – Classical Music With Big Mike
One of special treats the fetching Mrs. B and I experienced in Jones Hall in downtown Houston, was when we attended, a couple of years ago, Carl Orff's epic haunting cantata,Carmina Burana. It was performed by our Grammy Award winning Houston Symphony Orchestra [and chorus].This from Wikipedia: "Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed in…
Happy Birthday Franz Schubert – Classical Music With Big Mike
On January 31, 1797 classical music composer, Franz Schubert, was born in Vienna, Austria. This child prodigy of the late classical, early Romantic era of music died at the age of 31, and despite his short life this true genius was a prolific composer of many forms of classical music. He completed many overtures, symphonies,…
Happy Birthday Mozart – Classical Music With Big Mike
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, is the 268th heavenly birthday of one of my favorite composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The quintessential classical composer was born Jan. 27, 1756 in Austria. Sadly, Mozart died at the young age of 35, on December 5, 1791 in his home in Vienna, Austria. Mozart was a child prodigy on piano…
Great Openings In Classical Music – Classical Music With Big Mike
For those of you [old enough like me] who loved the pop, rock and roll, and Motown music back in 60's and 70's, there were songs that just by the first few notes or first phrase everyone knew what the song was and who sang it [without any words having to being sung]. Great songs…
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Epic Tone Poem, Scheherazade – Classical Music With Big Mike
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a great Russian Romantic Era composer who was known for his great symphonic orchestrations. Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov [March 18, 1844 - June 21, 1908] Maybe Rimsky-Korsakov's most beloved piece and his most played piece in concert halls is his luscious, melodic tone poem, "Scheherazade". From Brittanica- Scheherazade: "Scheherazade, orchestral suite by Russian…
Happy King Day! – Classical Music With Big Mike
Monday, Jan 15, 2024, marks the 95th heavenly birthday of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.; the whole nation celebrates and honors this great patriot with the official federal holiday of Martin Luther King Day. Martin Luther King, Jr. [Jan 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968] From the Biography Martin Luther King Web site: "Martin Luther…
Handel’s Mesmerizing Sarabande – Classical Music With Big Mike
For the last few days I have kept hearing this ad or promotion on TV and it had this music so mesmerizing and beautiful I wanted to go to You Tube and play it immediately. I was pretty sure it came from Handel, but I couldn't remember the name of it. I finally found it.....it his Handel's…
A Great Composer That I Had Never Heard Of – Classical Music With Big Mike
A Great Composer That I Had Never Heard Of I enjoy sharing great classical music that I love and sharing what little knowledge that I have about the music and the composers. Trust me, I am not saying that with modesty, but it is the truth, because I am just a fan of classical music…
Relaxing Schubert Impromptu – Classical Music With Big Mike
Here is some light, relaxing music by one of my favorite composers Franz Schubert, his piano impromptu #3 in G-Flat Major. Franz Schubert [1797 -1828] Like Mendelssohn, this late Classical-early Romantic Era composer from Austria was known for his beautiful melodies. This impromptu in the form of a serenade is representative of Schubert's beautiful melodic relaxing…
Vivaldi Winter – Classical Music With Big Mike
Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer famous for his many violin concertos. Along with Johann Sebastian Bach, George Fredrick Handel, and G Philipp Telemann, Vivaldi was one of the greatest composers in the Baroque era of music. "The Four Seasons" was his best known and best recognized set of four short violin concertos. Each…
Happy Birthday Beethoven! – Classical Music With Big Mike
On Dec. 16*, 1770, one of the giants in classical music, the great composer and pianist, Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. Historians are in some dispute on the exact date of his birth. *His birthday is celebrated on the 16th because he was baptized on Dec. 17, and most think that means…
Daniel Silva’s ‘The Cellist’ For Classical Music Lovers – Classical Music With Big Mike
What's this, you may ask, a book recommendation on this all classical music, all the time web site? Yes, and it may be a surprising book as it is by the New York Times #1 best selling author of the Gabriel Allon, Israeli spy master thriller series, Daniel Silva, called "The Cellist". I am not…
Mendelssohn, But Not Felix – Classical Music With Big Mike
I was listening to All Classical Portland about a week ago [in February of 2018] and heard this string quartet I hadn't heard before and I thought to myself, 'that sounds like Mendelssohn'. I was right, it was Mendelssohn. But I was also wrong, as it wasn't Felix Mendelssohn [one of my favorite composers] who…
Happy Birthday Cesar Franck – Classical Music With Big Mike
Today, December 10, 2023, would be the 201st birthday of French composer, pianist, and organist, Cesar Franck. Cesar Franck, born in Liege, Belgium, who lived and worked most of his life in Paris, France, was a pianist, organist, music teacher and composer in the late Romantic era of music. While not a prolific composer he…