Classical Memories 2 December: Maria Callas

The Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas was born on this day in 1923. The video is Callas performing Habanera at Convent Garden in 1962.

Classical Memories 2 December: Aaron Copland

On this day in 1990 the American composer Aaron Copland died. The clip is Copland’s Appalachian Spring performed by Ulster Orchestra under the direction of Thierry Fisher

Classical Memories 1 December: Ernest John Moeran

On this day in 1950 the English composer Ernest John Moeran died. The video is Morean’s Lonely Water performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Classical Memories 30 November: Franz Xaver Gerl

The Austrian composer Franz Xaver Gerl was born on this day in 1764. The clip is Gerl’s Aria pro Omni Solemnitate à Basso.

Classical Memories 29 November: Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi

On this day in 1643 the Italian composer Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi died. The clip is  Monteverdi’s Zefiro Torna.

Muse to the Music 28 November

The idea of these challenges is to use the given prompts to create a piece of flash fiction (100-500 words) or a poem

The prompt for this challenge is a piece of music, the idea being to share where the music takes you.

This week’s piece is:

Sabre Dance by Vanessa Mae

If you use this prompt please link back

Classical Memories 28 November: Jean-Baptiste Lully

The French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully was born today in 1632. The clip is Lully’s Psyché

Classical Memories 27 November: Guillaume Dufay

On this day in 1474 the Netherlandish composer Guillaume Dufay died. The video is Dufay’s Missa Se la Face ay Pale performed by Cantica Symphonia under the direction of Giuseppe Maletto

Classical Memories 26 November: Emmanuel Bondeville

The French composer Emmanuel Bondeville died on this day in 1987. The clip is Bondeville’s Symphonie Chorégraphique performed by Orchestre National de l'ORTF.

Classical Memories 25 November: Johann Friedrich Reichardt and Johann Georg Pisendel.

On this day in 1752 the German composer Johann Friedrich Reichardt was born. The first clip is Reichardt’s Erlkönig

The German composer Johann Georg Pisendel died today in 1755. The second video is Pisendel’s Sonata in C minor.

Classical Memories 24 November: Scott Joplin

On this day in 1868 the American composer Scott Joplin was born. The clip is Joplin’s The Entertainer

Classical Memories 23 November: Thomas Attwood

Today in 1765 the English composer Thomas Attwood was born. The clip is Attwood’s Trio in C major.

Classical Memories 22 November: Wilhelm Friedemann Bach

Today in 1710 the German composer Wilhelm Friedemann Bach was born. The featured piece is WF Bach’s Concerto in F minor for Harpsichord, strings and B.C.

Classical Memories 21 November: Henry Purcell

On this day in 1695 the English composer Henry Purcell died. The clip is Purcell’s Fairy Queen performed by Vienna Radio Orchestra under the baton of Brian Priestman.

Classical Memories 20 November: Friedrich Heinrich Himmel, Daniel Gregory Mason and Margaret Sutherland

Today in 1765 the German composer Friedrich Heinrich Himmel was born. The first clip is Himmel’s ‘Heil'ge Nacht auf Engelsschwingen’ sung by Roger Whitaker.

On this day in 1873 the American composer Daniel Gregory Mason was born. The second video is Mason’s Suite ‘After English Folk Songs’ performed by NBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Bruno Walter.

On this day in 1897 the Australian composer Margaret Sutherland was born. The final clip s Sutherland’s ‘Concertino for String orchestra’.

Classical Memories 19 November: Pietro Alessandro Guglielmi and Franz Peter Schubert

On this day in 1804 the Italian composer Pietro Alessandro Guglielmi died. The first clip is Guglielmi’s Caravaggio performed by Orchestra da Camera under the baton of Paolo Biancalana.

On this day in 1828 the Austrian composer Franz Peter Schubert died. The second video is Schubert’s ‘Das Wirtshaus’ from ‘Winterreise’ sung by Henk Neven accompanied by Hans Eijsackers.

Classical Memories 18 November: Jean-Baptiste Loeillet and Alberich Zwyssig

On this day in 1680 the Flemish composer Jean-Baptiste Loeillet was born. The first clip is Loeillet’s Trio sonata for violin, violoncello and pianoforte in B minor performed by the Eroica Trio.

On this day in 1854 the Swiss composer Alberich Zwyssig died. The second clip is Zwyssig’s Missa diligam te Domine performed by Konzert des Gymnasiums Neufeld.

Classical Memories 17 November: Alberich Zwyssig

On this day in 1808 the Swiss monk and composer Alberich Zwyssig was born. Zwyssig is most famous for composing  Schweizerpsalm, the Swiss national anthem.

Classical Memories 16 November

Today in 1715 the Maltese compose Girolamo Abos was born. The clip is Abos’ Stabat Mater performed by Ensemble Stradivaria under the baton of Daniel Cuiller.

Classical Memories 15 November: Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck

Today in 1787 the German composer Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck died. The video is von Gluck’s Danse des spectres et des furies from his ballet Don Juan performed by Il Giardino Armonico under the baton of Giovanni Antonini