A Lark Ascending Posted December 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) Delius - Two Aquarelles. Just four minutes of what is probably considered 'slight' music. The first is a typical Delius 'longing at twilight' piece - descending lines that have you reflecting on the things you miss. The second, a jaunty piece in 'Appalachia' style, anticipating Gershwin. Generally to be found tucked away on Delius compilations or multi-composer samplers. Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted December 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down. Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted December 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) Stravinsky - Concerto in D. Answers my own question (well, maybe not upbeat) - typically detached, graceful, balletic. A lovely piece. Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdavenport Posted December 30, 2012 Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down. Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces? Samuel Barber's "Adagio" is another melancholy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted December 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) Yes, the Barber Adagio is very moving - despite being used somewhat manipulatively in all manner of contexts requiring 'sorrow', it still gets to me. This is a lovely CD of little known string music: Concerto for String Orchestra; Elegy, First Suite; Serenade Howells is hardcore English pastoralism so will have many running for the hills (or, more likely, modern urban city centres). Not as original as RVW (he was heavily influenced by him) but Howells produced some beautiful music. Edited December 30, 2012 by A Lark Ascending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Though I prefer these two pieces in their original string quartet form, it is both interesting and enjoyable to hear how they sound when arranged for string orchestra. Schubert - "Death and the Maiden" D. 810 Dvorak - "American" Op.96 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Charles Rosekrans - Telarc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Dvorak - Serenade for Strings. I'm new to this one this year - another of those pieces heard in passing and then tracked down. Wonder why these string pieces tend to dwell on the melancholy? Any upbeat string pieces? I was going to mention this one - I've got this recording, on which the string Serenade (Op. 22) is paired with an equally wonderful wind Serenade (Op. 44): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 The Holberg Suite has long been one of my favorite pieces by Grieg. Will play it this morning along with the string serenades by Dvorak and Elgar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted January 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Yes, I like the Holberg too. Also Dag Wiren's Serenade. Have it on this, a very early CD acquisition: In fact I'll play that now. A bit earlier I played the Britten Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge . Quite light and airy - almost Italian - for most of its course but darkens towards the end, finishing with a most wonderful Mahlerian adagio (similar to music at the end of both his vocal 'Nocturne' and 'Death in Venice'). Surprised no-one has mentioned Mozart's 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' yet. Edited January 2, 2013 by A Lark Ascending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 A short piece that is on that Scandinavian themed disc above. Sibelius: Rakastava, Op. 14 - an early piece, but has all the Sibelian melancholy and sense of vast spaces that you expect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Just pulled off the shelf Mendelssohn's String Symphonies. Will have to play them soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted February 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 Henze - Fantasia for Strings Played this today. Another beautiful string piece. Mainly slow and mournful but more upbeat, Stravinsky-esque central and final sections to provide contrast. The Air-Pastorale-Air section sounds quite English! Beautiful return to the mournful for the ending. Part of it was used in 'The Exorcist', it seems, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Peter Warlock - Capriol Suite, Serenade for Strings Two lovely pieces. The Suite are based on Elizabethan dance music; the short Serenade is very Delian. Music for a late summer eve (or for anticipating a late summer eve). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Д.Д. Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 A lot of good stuff here. Track list with samples here: http://www.deccaclassics.com/en/cat/single?sort=newest_rec&PRODUCT_NR=4782759&SearchString=20th+century+classics&UNBUYABLE=1&per_page=100&flow_per_page=100&presentation=flow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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