The CoffeeHouse Classical

Episode 30: Rachmaninoff and Symphony No. 2, Mvt. III

Do you know this melody? If not, you will after this episode about one of the great melody composers, Serge Rachmaninoff and his iconic Symphony No. 2!

Music: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.2,_Op.27_(Rachmaninoff,_Sergei)
http://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No.1,_Op.1_(Rachmaninoff,_Sergei)

Episode 20: Ralph Vaughan Williams and A Sea Symphony

Behold the spine-tingling symphony about exploration and the sea on this 20th episode of the CoffeeHouse Classical Podcast! We'll delve into the modern British sound and be taken on an aural journey through the seas and beyond!

Music: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcode
http://imslp.org/wiki/A_Sea_Symphony_(Symphony_No.1)_(Vaughan_Williams%2C_Ralph)

Holiday Special: An Easter Playlist

Hello CoffeeHousers! It’s an off week for a new episode, but we thought you might like some inspiration for an Easter holiday playlist for brunch, lunch, dinner, or any time in between! We have for you a selection of pieces written specifically for Easter festivities, and others just for those spring time feelings. Enjoy!

1. Russian Easter Overture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXR0tloMmoo

This is a CoffeeHouse favorite, written by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is in the style of cantors in the Russian Orthodox Church, but this orchestration is so triumphant sounding!

2. Symphony 2: "Resurrection" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpug1NIi2s0

This is the second symphony of Gustav Mahler, so you just can’t go wrong. The resurrection described by the subtitle refers to the musical protagonist Mahler takes with him through all of his symphonies, but it is still fitting for the holiday’s significance.

3. St. Matthew Passion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P21qlB0K-Bs

Bach really nailed it with this oratorio. It’s been described as the finest choral work ever written!

4. The Water Passion After St. Matthew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzR8mjxX7i8

For those listeners who like the St. Matthew Passion and modern music, the Water Passion in for you! This ingenious work by Tan Dun has the original Passion text mixed with innovative orchestration and percussionists playing with water!

5. Cavalleria Rusticana:Overture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idquyGAKyL0 and Easter Hymn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKTWkMC8KQo

These are some excerpts from a one act opera by Mascagni that happens to take place on Easter Sunday.

6. The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPchmU-pB4

Another oratorio, this one by the masterful Joseph Haydn. 

7. The Ballet of the Chicks in Their Shell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HPtSftZ3b0

Based on colored eggs found this time of year, we suggest another Russian work, this one by Mussorgsky. This is a sweet little movement from his larger work Pictures At An Exhibition, with the rest of the movements having no relation to Easter.

8. Irish Suite: The Rakes of Mallow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYpS3ak9erk

Leroy Anderson composed this work based on a folk song. It might remind you of marshmallow peeps found in an Easter basket.

9. Dancing at Stonehenge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4uFEbMRTC0

This is a work for wind band by Anthony Suter. It is a nod to the argument that many modern Easter symbols such as bunnies and eggs are said to have originated from pagan traditions.

10. White as Lilies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQk_KIikKBM

A lovely English song by John Dowland, representative of the holiday as white lilies typically are the flower of choice to represent the occasion.

Episode 18: Clara Schumann and the Scherzo in D Minor

*This episode is being updated and is temporarily unavailable!*

This week we invite you to fall in love with the German romantic pianist, Clara Schumann. Her works are just as stunning as her husband's as you'll hear in our selected focus piece, the Scherzo in D minor. 

Episode 11: Strauss Jr. and the Voices of Spring Waltz

Even as the temperatures dip and snow covers the ground, this episode is full of the happiness of springtime in musical form!

Music: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcode
https://musopen.org/music/9862-the-blue-danube-op-314/
https://musopen.org/music/9895-fruhlingsstimmen-op-410/
https://musopen.org/music/9896-tales-from-the-vienna-woods-op-325/
https://musopen.org/music/9991-viennese-spirit-op-354/

Episode 10: Wagner and the Faust Overture

*This episode is being updated and is temporarily unavailable!*

He's been referenced in many of our previous podcasts. He's written some of the most well known melodies in classical music. He is Wagner, and you can learn about his eccentric life in this episode!

Episode 8: Nielsen and Symphony No. 2 "The Four Temperaments": mvt. I

*This episode is being updated and is temporarily unavailable!*

What does the turn of the 20th century and the ancient Greeks have in common? They both influenced Carl Nielsen's musical voice! Find out more about Nielsen on this episode of the Coffee House!

Episode 7: Brahms and Symphony #3, Mvt I

Why did it take Brahms so long to write his four symphonies, and why are they so fantastic? Find out in this episode!

Music: http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Creative_Commons_Attribution_3.0 http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Creative_Commons_Attribution_Non-commercial_Share_Alike_3.0 http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Creative_Commons_Attribution_Non-commercial_No_Derivatives_3.0 http://imslp.org/wiki/IMSLP:Creative_Commons_Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs_4.0
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.3,_Op.90_(Brahms,_Johannes)
http://imslp.org/wiki/21_Hungarian_Dances_(Piano),_WoO_1_(Brahms,_Johannes)
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1%2C_Op.68_(Brahms%2C_Johannes)
http://imslp.org/wiki/Clarinet_Sonata_No.1%2C_Op.120_No.1_(Brahms%2C_Johannes)

Episode 6: Dvorak and String Quartet No. 12 "American", mvt. 4

Delve into the polyglot world Dvorak created in his music with his exciting "American" quartet!

Music: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/legalcode
http://imslp.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No.12%2C_Op.96_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k%2C_Anton%C3%ADn)
https://musopen.org/music/4571-slavonic-dances-op-46/
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.9,_Op.95_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k,_Anton%C3%ADn)

Episode 5: Beethoven and Symphony #7, Mvt. III

*This episode is being updated and is temporarily unavailable!*

Let's take a look at Beethoven's fantastic life and works by analyzing his Symphony #7, mvt. III, a scherzo-trio movement!