Unleash The Classical Nerd Within

It’s true that I am a bit of a classical music fan. It can make you relaxed, energized, cry, happy and even make you want to dance and it’s all done without a single word being said. Classical music can have the same kind of impact as your favorite song and whether you like Medieval or Contemporary, there is always something for everyone.

I studied Music at university and I’ve had to listen to a wide range of composers throughout and was exposed to so many composers I’ve never heard of. Funny how people expect you to know a certain piece just because you did a degree in Music and assume you would be able to help them out when they say ” whats this piece again? it goes something like this *hums*”…uhhhhh ok then, if I am the know it all, perhaps you just have bad singing.

I’ve compiled my top 10 favorite composers in no specific order. I’ve also put in a few recommendations if you want to have a listen to something different for a change.

1. Dmitri Shostakovich (Russian) – Symphony No. 4,5, 7 and 10. Gadfly Suite: Romance, Jazz Suite: Waltz No. 2,  Tahiti Trot

2. Antonin Dvorak (Czech) – Symphony No. 8 and 9, Cello Concerto in B Minor, String Quartet No. 12 “American”

3. Ludwig Van Beethoven (German) – Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), 5, 7 and 9, Moonlight Sonata, Sonata for Violin and Piano “Spring”, String Quartet Op. 18 No. 1, Romance for Violin and Orchestra in F Major, Appasionata Sonata, Egmont Overture

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian) – Swan Lake Ballet, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Marche Slave, Serenade for Strings in C Major, Symphony No. 5, 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker, String Quartet No. 1

5. Johannes Brahms (German) – Symphony No. 4, Cello Sonata No. 1, Violin Concerto in D Major, Hungarian Dances, Tragic Overture,

6. Frédéric François Chopin (Polish) – Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Prelude No. 4, Mazurka Op. 33 No. 4, Mazurka Op. 63 No.3, Black Keys Etude, Piano Sonata No. 2, Waltz in C-sharp minor Op. 64 No. 2

7. Robert Schumann (German) – String Quartet Op. 41 No. 3, Violin Sonata No. 2 Op. 121, Piano Concerto Op. 54, Fantasy in C,

8. Claude Debussy (French) – Arabesque No. I and II, Nocturnes – Clouds, Festivals, Sirens, La Mer, String Quartet in G minor,

9. Felix Mendelssohn (German) – Italian Symphony, Scottish Symphony, Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64, A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Overture, Songs Without Words.

10. Gustav Mahler (Austrian) – Symphony 3, 5 and 8, Piano Quartet in A minor,

I do realize that most of these are within the Romantic Period, but music from this era just floats my boat!

 

 

Forget All Your Troubles with Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra’s “Relaxin’ After Work” Concert

“Relaxin’ After Work”, the name really does say it all with Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s After Work Chamber Concert where you can sit back, relax and unwind to classical music after a long days work of hustlin’ and bustlin’ in the city. Performances include works from Debussy, Beethoven and the world premiere of James Cuddeford’s composition “Double Shadow” written for double bass and percussion. The concert is part of the orchestra’s three-week interactive event “ArtisTree” and consists of numerous concerts and workshops where people are welcome to participate and to learn more about the overall concert experience.

Cudderford is currently the concertmaster of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra. hailing from Australia, he is one of the most reputable leading musicians today having performed extensively around Australia, Europe and Asia as a violinist in solo performances and chamber groups. Cudderford was also the youngest finalist in the BBC Young Composer of the Year at the age of 15 and had one of his pieces commissioned by the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then, his compositions have been broadcasted internationally and Cudderford is now a recognized contemporary composer and performer.

Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp was written in 1915 and gave its first performance the following year. Filled with melodies seamlessly intertwining with one another, this was very typical of the French composer and this style is seen in many of his works both small and large scale. The blend and complementation of all instruments brings out a unique timbre, almost fantastical or dream-like in nature, surely to relax the most over-stressed worker.

Beethoven’s Serenade in D for Flute, Violin and Viola was written in 1801 and is one of the few original chamber pieces specifically written for the flute. The piece is overall light-hearted, playful and is definitely easy on the ears guaranteed to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.

The hour long concert will be held on Wednesday September 12 at 7pm and will take place at 1/F Cornwall House, Taikoo Place and is open for all to attend.

For more information on the orchestra, visit their official website at: http://www.hksinfonietta.org/