String Quartet 101

Bill Nye brainwave levels

prokofiev

A soundtrack for the Orphan Black/BIoshock AU fic which I've been writing. A mix of songs from the various BioShock soundtracks, plus my own picks of both tunes from the era, and classical pieces that I relate to the characters.
You can find it here if you're interested!
http://archiveofourown.org/works/6808909/chapters/15547432

Beyond the Sea - an Orphan Black/Bioshock AU

Velazquez Quartet

Prokifiev

Playlist created with Playlist Converter http://www.playlist-converter.net

https://www.francemusique.fr/emissions/musicopolis/maurice-ravel-paris-en-1928-1-8335

Maurice Ravel est né le 7 mars 1875 à Ciboure (près de Saint-Jean-de-Luz) et mort le 28 décembre 1937 à Paris. Malgré le soutien de beaucoup de grands musiciens, il échoue plusieurs fois à obtenir le prestigieux Prix de Rome. Il devient cependant très célèbre, considéré après la Première Guerre mondiale et le décès d’Achille Claude Debussy comme le plus grand compositeur français vivant, effectuant même des tournées internationales aux États-Unis ou au Canada. Parmi ses plus grandes œuvres, citons évidemment Le Boléro, Gaspard de la Nuit, Ma Mère l’Oye ou encore L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.

Maurice RAVEL in his musical context  : Paris in the 1930s

favs

Bremner Duthie sings Noel Coward's "20th Century Blues" in '33 (A Kabarett)

20th Century Blues

Guest conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier leads the New England Conservatory Philharmonia and  Xixi Zhou in a performance of Prokofiev's Concerto for Piano no 2 in G minor, Op. 16. Recorded live in Jordan Hall October 2011.

Prokofiev: Concerto for Piano no 2 in G minor-Andantino

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11 – II. Andante cantabile

Like no other piece, the String Quartet in F-Major stands for Maurice Ravel's rise from obscurity to form his own musical language and break free from the comparisons to other impressionists, for example by including rhapsody and rhythmic basque dance music elements, especially in this second movement - Assez vif. Très rythmé. Although highly criticized and even rejected from the Paris Conservatiore in 1904, this chamber music composition today is one of the most popular pieces for the Quartet. 
During their appearance at the Queensland Conservatorium in September 2013, the award winning New Zealand String Quartet interpreted this masterpiece.

Maurice Ravel - String Quartet in F-Major - II. Assez Vif. Très Rythmé

A friggin' Classic.

This mix was digitally remastered from the 2 Track Master.

Original Mix Date: 14/03/2002
Original Release Date: 12/05/2003

Check out the wonderful video by Aeroplanaki:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98u2Cy7osSc&list=PLJT91gNuv6E0CaRn_Tj8D6W9HVGnsBRHO&index=17

From the album "Greatest Wiffs" ***OUT NOW***

Soundcloud 
https://soundcloud.com/skeewiff/sets/skeewiff-greatest-wiffs  

BUY Digital
iTunes - bit.ly/1gyqKle
Juno - http://bit.ly/1k5IeTf

BUY on CD
Jalapeno shop - http://bit.ly/1e0ZmZy
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1gyOH9t 
Juno - http://bit.ly/1cO9FhT

Skeewiff - Coming Home Baby

Diablo (prod. Larry Fisherman)

Gnossienne was a word that did not exist before Satie used it as a title for a composition. The word appears to be derived from "gnosis"; Satie was involved in gnostic sects and movements at the time that he began to compose the Gnossiennes.

However, some published versions claim that the word derives from Cretan "knossos" or "gnossus"; this interpretation supports the theory linking the Gnossiennes to the myth of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur. 

Satie Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Erik-Satie-Essential-Collection/dp/B00J0LBFIG/

Satie iTunes
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/erik-satie-the-essential-collection/918615441

Best of Satie
https://play.google.com/store/music/album?id=Bditbkfgfdqvxx7hansrl6qhy4y

Satie Compilation
https://open.spotify.com/album/0vzKMInu4PzU2Qyi6NgmRK

Erik Satie Album
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7540311

Best of Satie Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk2SNcpTNbs&t=68s

Erik Satie - The Essential Collection

Amazon

Gnossienne No.1

Bioshock 2 - Pairbond

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - String Quartet No.19 in C major, K.465

Samuel Barber - String Quartet Op. 11, II. Molto adagio

Perfect Imperfection

Download

Rhapsody In Blue

-Isaac Albeniz-
Originally composed for piano, this piece is the prelude from a larger body of work. The whole works is his Spanish suite and it was published in French under the title 'Chants d'Espagne'. Not long after it's release it was transcribed for the guitar by Francisco Tarrega and has become one of the most popular songs in the guitar's classical repertoire. It has often been described as 'pure Andalusian flamenco'.

Asturias (Leyenda) - Albeniz

*NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED. I do not own the song used in this video. the song belongs to its rightful owner. DISCLAIMER: I do not own music.Copyright Disclaimer--"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Numb - Linkin Park ( Dubstep Remix )

Welcome To Rapture - Bioshock

G Song (Terry Riley) sample

That's All

Beyond the Sea

Heike Matthiesen plays Torre bermeja in her own transcription

Isaac Albeniz: Torre bermeja , Heike Matthiesen, classical guitar

Wochenend Und Sonnenschein (M. Ager)

Debussy, Fauré & Ravel: String Quartets

String Quartet, M. 35: II. Assez vif - Très rythmé

GO:OD AM

In the Bag

Sevilla Isaac Albeniz

The Volker String Quartet - October 28, 1978

Claude Debussy - String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10: i. Anime et tres decide

Piano Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 28, Allegro tempestoso. Sergei Prokofiev.
Played by Frank Cui

Piano Sonata No. 3 in A minor - Sergei Prokofiev

Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune is the third movement of his Suite Bergamasque, written for solo piano and completed in 1905. The title, meaning “Moonlight,” is inspired by Paul Verlaine’s poem, evoking a serene and reflective atmosphere. The piece epitomizes French Impressionism, focusing on mood and imagery over traditional form.
Structure and Atmosphere

The piece is in ternary form (ABA):

    Opening (A):
    A soft, flowing melody emerges over delicate arpeggios. The music feels weightless, like moonlight shimmering on water. Debussy uses rich harmonies and seventh chords to create a dreamlike quality, with a tender, introspective mood.

    Middle Section (B):
    The dynamics intensify, with fuller textures and soaring melodic lines. This section brings a sense of emotional depth and urgency, contrasting with the calm opening. Arpeggios cascade dramatically, giving the impression of moonlight suddenly brightening or revealing hidden beauty.

    Closing (A):
    The opening material returns, slightly varied, fading into a gentle, whisper-like conclusion. The piece ends as quietly as it began, leaving a sense of stillness and wonder.

Musical Features

    Harmonics: Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales, parallel chords, and non-functional harmony creates a suspended, ethereal soundscape.
    Melody: The lyrical melody floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, expressing both simplicity and emotional depth.
    Texture: Light, transparent textures alternate with moments of lush, resonant fullness, embodying the interplay of light and shadow.

Mood and Interpretation

Clair de Lune evokes the quiet magic of a moonlit night, combining serenity with subtle melancholy. Its poetic quality invites listeners to imagine moonlight reflecting on a calm lake, whispering through trees, or illuminating a tranquil landscape. The music feels timeless, blending stillness with fleeting moments of intensity.

Cultural Impact

This iconic piece has been widely used in films (Ocean’s Eleven, Twilight) and pop culture, often accompanying scenes of romance, nostalgia, or quiet reflection. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke deep emotion while remaining understated.
Performance Notes

Expressive dynamics, fluid phrasing, and careful pedaling are essential to capturing its delicate atmosphere. A balance between freedom and control ensures its dreamlike flow remains intact.

Clair de Lune is a masterpiece of impressionistic music, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners into a realm of quiet beauty and introspection.

Claude Debussy - The Essential Collection

Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune - Debussy

 Xixi Zhou (M.M. '12,) student of Hung-Kuan Chen performs excerpts from Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 during the 2012 Commencement concert. Recorded live May 19, 2012 in NEC's Jordan Hall, Boston.
For more information: http://necmusic.edu

Sergei Prokofiev - Piano Sonata No 7 in B flat major - Precipitato

Final Fantasy X - Hymn of the Fayth

Sergei Prokofiev: Sonata #8, op. 84 Vivace - Allegro ben marcato - Andantino - Vivace

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11 - Moderato e semplice

Recorded in my living room on a rainy autumn weekend.

Erik Satie: Gymnopedies No 1-3

Sergei Prokofiev - String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92, First Movement

Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet No. 3 in D major, op. 18, No. 3

New England Conservatory orchestral conducting major Lio Kuokman leads the NEC Symphony in a performance of selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Recorded live in Jordan Hall April 10, 2013 by recording engineer Jeremy Sarna.

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - Montagues and Capulets

Recital recording at Imagineering Studios, Inc. in Arlington Heights, IL. Contact at 847-640-6411

Sergei Prokofiev - String Quartet No. 2 in F Major, Op. 92, First Movement

VelazquezQuartet