Classical Music With Big Mike
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Covers articles for classical music lovers or for those interested in learning about classical music from a non-professional, but just from a big fan of classical music. It's about the composers, the music, and insights into classical music and the three great Eras, Baroque, Classical and Romantic.
Classical Music With Big Mike
6d ago
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. Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, was the quintessential Romantic composer. There ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
2w ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
2w ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
3w ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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. ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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 ..read more
Classical Music With Big Mike
1M ago
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 ..read more