Appreciating lesser known composers

[agitato]

I was listening to Sibelius' violin concerto for the 10th time in the past few months and continue to be amazed at this masterpiece. The third movement is way cool: 

I noticed this ostinato rhythm played by the strings almost throughout the third movement .... 'da dada da dada'  which is similar to the base ostinato in one of the pieces from Starwars. (Episode 1, Trip to the Naboo temple)...not implying anything here, just that great pieces of music share some similarities.

And this is my favorite moment of the piece: 

 

Sibelius demonstrates his incredible humor, wit and mastery of all aspects of music in this work. He does all this while staying tonal despite being part of the 20th century. And what a great performance! It took me many years to warm up to Sibelius, and thankfully I did at last.

Unfortunately my circle of friends do not appreciate classical music, so you are all the closest friends that I have that can share my joy when hearing great music. I thought of starting a thread where others could maybe post other music they enjoyed ... perhaps there are lessons here for orchestration and composition... so maybe its somewhat relevant to the forum.

Anand 

[mw design]

I recommend YT Channel called "UnsungMasterworks" wow what great Compositions of less known Composers.

https://www.youtube.com/user/UnsungMasterworks

I now listen to the wonderful Playfullness of Cyril Scott - Symphony No.1 and ofcourse the romantic melodies, the Transition on 1.30 Minutes is just beautiful.

[Paul McGraw]

Hi Anand,

A mervelous composition. Sibelius could write with enormous skill. I like many of his compositions. Isn't it odd that he did not compose for the last 30 years of his life. I can't help but wonder about the great masterpieces he might have written during those years.

Paul

[agitato]

@Paul McGraw said:

Hi Anand,

A mervelous composition. Sibelius could write with enormous skill. I like many of his compositions. Isn't it odd that he did not compose for the last 30 years of his life. I can't help but wonder about the great masterpieces he might have written during those years.

Paul

wow I didnt know that he didnt compsose for the last 30 years ... What a pity !

Sibelius has such a distinct and unique sound from others. (same is true of most great composers) The only way I can picture his sound is the ocean and the universe....even if it is a small ensemble string quartet..his 'tonal landscape' is entirely unique, much like Mahler or Strauss or Rachmaninoff or Ravel have their own tonal landscape that one can instantly identify.

This amazes me about classical music...the rigorous training in counterpoint forms the basis for each compsoer finding his or her own unique voice.

Speaking of female composers, I recently bumped into Nadia Boulangers work. Fantastic composer but sadly not that famous:

Anand

[agitato]

@mw design said:

I recommend YT Channel called "UnsungMasterworks" wow what great Compositions of less known Composers.

https://www.youtube.com/user/UnsungMasterworks

I now listen to the wonderful Playfullness of Cyril Scott - Symphony No.1 and ofcourse the romantic melodies, the Transition on 1.30 Minutes is just beautiful.

This channel is very cool. Thanks.

Never heard of Jaoachim Raff...great symphony!

I have my own YT collection of unsung composers. Will put a link.

[mw design]

Joachim Raff got also my Attention, wow the "Winter" Symphony No.11 , what a lovely Play on II. Allegretto at 11.29min.

[agitato]

Anyone heard of a composer called Rued Langgard?? Never heard of him until YT suggested me this:

Pretty incredible music...can see where earl hollywood music came from.

(btw I changed the title of this thread to "lesser known composers' instead of "great composers")

Anand

[Fabio Biolcati]

@agitato said:

Anyone heard of a composer called Rued Langgard??

One of my favourite. Enjoy.