Bach, Beethoven, Brahms ( & Mozart ? )

Yes, it AMAZES me that some conductors are able to conduct entire symphonies and/or operas without a score. Don't they ever get memory lapses? What amazing musical minds they have!

Thanks for the new posts.

Today is a day where we get to mention a birthday: Handel, way back in 1685. 

Ah, Handel! Probably best known for his Messiah, he wrote so much more. There are a slew of oratorios, operas, cantatas, as well as keyboard music that he brought into the world. Happy Birthday, Handel!!

Thanks for the post and for the info Snapdragon.

March is a busy  month for our list of birthdays with a total of 7 names showing up. March 2cnd starts us off this month with Smetana ( from 1824 ).

Happy birthday, Bedrich Smetana. You've brought some beautiful music into the world and have done the (now) Czech Republic proud. Your Ma Vlast and Battered Bride are among my favorites.

Thanks for the post and the info Snapdragon. I luv to listen to " Die Moldau " as that beautiful piece takes me back in my memory to my early childhood years in the Black Forest. There is a very nice version of that work over on YouTube by the Chamber Orchestra Of Europe led by N. Harnoncourt.  

Also I must mention that March 4th ( today ) has 2 names from the birthday list falling on the same day, vastly different years however. Antonio Vivaldi was born in 1678 and then for fans of the " Old 88 keyboards " we have Chopin in 1810. 

I got one for you.  Back in the 70's, a British rock band---"YES" created the album "Close To The Edge". I'm reading a book now that makes comparisons to Sibelius's Symphony #5  Its written in 4 movements with recapitulation in Sonata form. It begins in 12/8 and then slips into 3/2.  YES was inspired by nature. Symphony #5 is famous for its "swan theme" in the 3rd movement. Some people in England refer to Yes's creation as liturgical for its use of the pipe organ at St.Giles Cripplegate Church in London.

Hmmmm, interesting information, Ron. I can't in my wildest dream imagine a comparison of a rock band to Sibelius' Symphony #5, but as I haven't heard the rock band, I can't form any opinion. However, I'd be hard pressed to make the effort to do so.

Aligning with classical music mostly in the early 70s was a way of getting people to take very shallow things quite seriously.

Thanks for the posts.

Well it is the 18th now over in Europe so we can add another name to our list: Rimsky-Korsakov ( from 1844 ).

I work at a professional orchestra, tomorrow we are playing Bartok concerto for orchestra. The last movement is extremely challenging. 

We are also playing Rococo Variations, the soloist is Johannes Moser. He is probably one of the best cello players today. His sound is absolutely amazing. 

Want to hear a really beautiful piece? 

I wanted to, and did. Thank you, Pashak.

Well it is the 22cnd over in Europe now so I want to mention a very important day for someone special. This guy is sort of the father of us all ( in regards to music that is   lol ). The year was 1685 and today is the birthday of JS Bach. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Pml0vWMnk

Simple, but profound. To think that his music was almost lost to us! Thanks to Mendelssohn for reviving it. Oh, what a darker world this would be without Bach's glorious music!