Part of the reason I started A Pianist’s Musings was because I wanted to keep a journal (of sorts) on music that interests me. I figured if I could write about the music I was listening to, maybe I could share it with others and help someone else discover some wonderful new music. With that […]
Read More
Spring is right around the corner! To celebrate, here is a list of some classical music inspired by spring: “Spring” from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi (1678-1741) This famous work is part of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons: four violin concerti that evoke images and moods for the corresponding season in nature. “Spring” was published with a poem […]
Read More
In honor of International Women’s Day yesterday, I’ve compiled a list of some awesome women composers throughout the Romantic Era and early 20th century: Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847) The oldest of four children (including brother Felix Mendelssohn), German pianist and composer Fanny Mendelssohn was extremely gifted and known for her musical abilities as a child. […]
Read MoreHello dear readers! I’ve decided to try something new – I started a music vlog on my YouTube channel: I’m really excited about this video. I know it’s not perfect, but I love trying new things and sharing what I love with others. This vlog will be a series of discussions on classical music ranging from […]
Read More
When I first heard “Fly”, I was amazed. I love the simplicity and the minimalism mixed with the electronics. I love the different moods and atmosphere the piece creates. I love how the work is piano-centric, yet the other layers work with the piano to paint the full picture. Background Ludovico Einaudi wrote “Fly” for […]
Read More
I recently had the opportunity to attend a concert put on by guitarist Jon Sharp and singer Rebecca Fromherz. They performed a variety of wonderful pieces, and I’ve put together a list of some of my favorites from the concert: Sunday Morning Overcast by Andrew York (1958) This calm, cheerful piece paints the image of a […]
Read More
Happy Friday! On deck for today: a film/classical mash-up of Beauty and the Beast and “Aquarium” from Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals. But first, some background. The Carnival of the Animals In 1886, French composer (and organist/pianist/conductor) Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) composed and premiered his fun and humorous chamber work The Carnival of the Animals. Each of the 14 […]
Read More
In 1940, Prokofiev started writing his ballet Cinderella, Op. 87. Five years later, the work premiered after the composer took time to create his epic opera War and Peace as a response to the German invasion of Russia in 1941. The music in Cinderella is witty, beautiful, and sometimes strange. While I am not going to discuss the full […]
Read More
After hearing about the sudden passing of Jóhann Jóhannsson, I wanted to pay him tribute by compiling a (non-comprehensive) list of his works. The Icelandic composer was best known for his blend of electronic and classical genres. He received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and awards for many of his film scores, and his solo […]
Read More
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, so let’s listen to some more music inspired by love. Check out part one here, and let’s jump in: Le Voir Dit by Guillaume de Machaut Background Composed from 1361-65, Le Voir Dit (“A True Story”) is one of the most epic romances written by one of the most important Medieval composers: Guillaume […]
Read More