Lose yourself, but don't get lost

Antonin Dvorak - Serenade for strings
Mov. 4 - Larghetto
Chamber Orchestra of Belgium - conducted by Benjamin Haemhouts
Live recording @ Concertgebouw Amsterdam
20-03-'13

Dvorak - Serenade for strings - Mov. 4

Brentano Quartet

More info: http://www.outhere-music.com/en/albums/the-late-string-quartets-op-130-grosse-fuge-op-133-aecd-1438

L. van Beethoven - Quartet No 13, Cavatina

Schubert - Serenade "Leise Flehen Meine Lieder"

This piece originates from Robert Schumann's 'Album für die Jugend' - a collection of 43 short works that were composed for his three daughters. The opus 68 'Album für die Jugend' is, unlike 'Kinderszenen', meant to be played by children, although the collection is divided in two parts - and the second is marked 'Für Erwachsenere', from no. 19, 'Kleine Romanze', onwards. 

'Wilder Reiter', or - as it is more commonly referred to, 'The Wild Horseman', is the eight piece of the collection. It is a short and easy, albeit wonderful piece due to its evocative, enthralling composition. It is essentially a lesson in staccato phrasing (one can really imagine the horseman trotting about), and teaches the pianist how to lead the cantabile with both hands, while accompanying with the other. The first section, where the melody is led by the right hand, is repeated. What follows is an intermezzo, if you will, where the left hand leads the melody - an inverse variation on the first section. The piece concludes with a third repetition of the first section. 

I am fascinated by the images that the piece conjures. Is the horseman clad in medieval armour, riding past you in a jousting roundabout? In measures 5 through 8 I deliberately retained some intensity in favour of conveying how the horseman has galloped past the listener (who is of course, stationary), and is making another pass. The second section, measures 9 through 16, seem to indicate the 'wild' in the horseman. Is he perhaps struggling to contain the horse, who has run amok? But then the first section is repeated, and the controlled, frivolous atmosphere reassures and consoles the listener. 

illustration: Géricault - 'Head of White Horse', ca. 1810, Musée du Louvre, Paris

R. Schumann - Wilder Reiter (The Wild Horseman) op. 68 no. 8 in A minor

The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe Read By Sir Christopher Lee

Though the origin is unknown, the melody used is very well known in Great Britain since at least 1740. The original first line was: “God save great George the King.”  The September 1745 performance which led to its greater popularity held the title: “God Save the King.”  

As many know, this became an unofficial American anthem in 1831, with the lyricist probably unaware that the melody he was using was the British national anthem. No references to a king in this new version were included. The United States is a republic.

Another composer who wrote earlier variations on “America” was Charles Ives. Charlie was 17 years old at the time and in 1891, wrote a variation for organ. While a serious exercise, his father didn't allow him to perform it often, as “it made the boys laugh out loud” in church. (Charlie’s music was ahead of its time, to say the least!)

Now a 2025 variation on “America" emerges for string quartet. Entitled "Where, America?" it describes an unfolding period which our nation has not experienced in its past. It is confusing, disorienting, and to the composer, disappointing. 

It depicts a once strong America, unbalanced.  Where did our inclusiveness, compassion and civility go? Where is the country so many worked hard to establish and nourish for the past 250 years? Where will its principles and values move in the future? The music reflects the composer's struggle to understand, while seeking answers to these questions. 

Where, America?

An arrangement for Bach's little fugue in g minor for 5 guitars and an chamber orchestra. featuring Ample Sound's amazing instruments - AGL, AGT(extention), AGM, ABJ, ABP, AGG. 
Visit their awesome page - 
http://www.amplesound.net/en/index.asp 
my fb page - 
https://www.facebook.com/freddiehangoler.composer

Enjoy! 

Little Fugue In G Minor  - Ample Sound demo

Beethoven Symphony No. 7, II Allegretto

Tchaikovsky

Serenade For Strings in G Major - Valse

Ludwig Van Beethoven - silence

cHaiKoVsky (piZziCaTo aNd pAnFLutE)

Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, Handel, Messiah, Overture.  Jennaya Robison, conductor.

Handel, Messiah - Overture

Chopin Nocturne No. 10 In A - Flat Major Op 32/2.

Hungarian Dance no.5

Jerusalem Theater, January 2nd, 2013. Live broacast from the Radio Kol Hamusica. jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Frederic Chaslin, conductor.

BEETHOVEN 5th Symphony, JSO Frédéric Chaslin

American conductor, teacher, clinician, and soprano, Jennaya Robison.  

Handel, Messiah - Overture

jennayarobison

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