Selections from the classical repertoire with commentary about the pieces, their composers, and their historical context.
Podcast
Happy birthday to Edvard Grieg, Norway's favorite troll!Tue, 06/05/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulEdvard Grieg, no more than 5 feet tall and rarely weighing more than 100 pounds, was a cultural giant of Norway. His birthday was June 15, 1843. He is the composer of the still-popular Piano Concerto in a minor, and of numerous pieces of nationalistic significance for his native country. Today's show features some incidental music, the "Peer Gynt Suite #1" that includes the lyrical "Morning Mood," and the rollicking "In the Hall of the Mountain King." The curtain is raised on today's show with an overture by that all-time master of overtures, Rossini. Included today are Beethoven's tour de force for piano, orchestra, and chorus that foreshadows his "Ode to Joy." For cello fans, included is a concerto by Vivaldi; for guitar lovers, we have solo works by Tarrega and a quintet by Boccherini. Aram Khatchaturian, and Monteverdi also make an appearance today. We conclude with Lalo's "Symphonie Espanole". |
Dr. Paul's Classics May 29th, 2012Tue, 05/29/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul |
Czech this out! A Carnaval and The MoldauTue, 05/22/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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Ride with the Valkyries!Tue, 05/15/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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Pianos, cellos, trumpets, and guitars!Tue, 05/08/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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"Something Russian!", she told Dr. PaulTue, 05/01/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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Papageno sings of his longing on Dr. Paul's ClassicsTue, 04/24/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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Beethoven's 'Spring' Sonata for piano and violinTue, 04/17/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. Paul
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A flute concerto on authentic period instrumentsTue, 04/10/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulHeadlining today's show is one of Mozart's wonderful flute concertos. Pay special attention to the slow second movement. The flute sings with the plaintive sound of a human voice longing for a lost lover. The bittersweet effect is emphasized by the mellow sound of an authentic period instrument, as pictured here, fashioned out of wood. Prokofiev's sly soundtrack to the Russian film, "Lt. Kije," is also heard today, as well as some short, sweet cello pieces by Vivaldi as played by the incomparable Yo-Yo Ma. The second half of the show includes "Moments Musicaux," a piece for piano solo composed by Schubert and played by Daniel Barenboim. As the show nears its conclusion, hold on to your seats for the chorale pieces from Orff's "Carmina Burana." The show's final curtain is heralded by the mellow "Vocalise" by Rachmaninov. |
Beautiful arias, piano music, and Pachelbel's Canon in DTue, 04/03/2012 - 1:00pm | Dr. PaulToday's most well-known selections include Pachelbel's iconic Canon in D Major, as well as Rachmaninov's second piano concerto. Sergei Rachmaninov, as a young buck, is pictured here. But hidden among these "famous" pieces are musical gems of breathtaking beauty. These include two languid, lyrical movements gleaned from Mozart's 27 piano concertos; two extraordinarily lovely arias sung by that master of the human voice, Luciano Pavarotti; an aria from a Vivaldi opera transcribed for the cello and played by Yo-Yo Ma; and a lively flute concerto by Stamitz. All in all, two hours of memorable listening pleasure. |
Yes, today's show starts with pieces by two Czech composers: Dvorak's Carnaval Overture, and Smetana's ever-popular tone poem about his country's river, "The Moldau," pictured as it wends its way through a Czech city. Included are some standard wonders of classical music: Guitar concertos by Guiliani and Vivaldi, Mozart's regal Coronation Concerto for piano, Khachaturian's well-known concert Waltz from Masquerade, as well as lovely arias by Bellini and Tosti. Included are some miniature piano solos played by Van Cliburn: Liebestraum, Minute Waltz, and Fur Elise. Jump on board and float with Dr. Paul through Europe's musical countryside. Photo by Patrick-Emil Zorner
After today's spectacular overture by Franz Von Suppe, you will hear Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries"! Valkyries are Norse goddesses that collect the slain Norse warriors from the field of battle and carry them off to Valhalla, home of Odin and the other Norse gods. Hear their blood-curdling cry of "Hotohoyo!" as they sweep the battlefield in search of the dead. In honor of upcoming weddings, Dr. Paul plays Wagner's Wedding Chorus. Listen and relive your own wedding, or imagine your future. The second hour is dominated by the monumental Piano Concerto #1 by Tchaikovsky, whose concluding movement is like an out-of-control, onrushing train.
Yes, today Dr. Paul features music that showcases a wide variety of instruments.
Yes, Dr. Paul's wife, Erin, asked him to play "Something Russian." And so, Dr. Paul obliged by airing the entire piano trio in a minor by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, subtitled "In memory of the great artist." This elegaic piece was written to honor the memory of the recently deceased Anton Rubinstein, one of Tchaikovsky's mentors. You'll find it at the top of the second hour. It is beautiful, sweeping, and very Russian, like the onion-domed cathedral shown here. To start the show there is the usual overture, this time by Beethoven, then the "Archduke" piano trio, also by Beethoven. This trio was written for the son of the emperor of Austria (the archduke), who was a student and close friend of the composer. The first hour closes with a tone poem by Aaron Copland.
In the second half of today's show, we have Papageno the birdman (pictured here from a production of The Magic Flute), singing about how he's a bird catcher, and would like to catch himself a bird-wife. Papageno is one of Mozart's most endearing and enduring operatic characters. Follow 
Franz Von Suppe's stirring overture to "Pique Dame" ("Queen of Spades") raises the curtain on today's show with a bang. Beethoven's "Spring" sonata for piano and violin follows with quiet, playful beauty as in the 1884 painting "Der Fruhling" ("The Spring") by Hans Makart pictured here. Also on tap is a violin concerto by Alessandro Rolla, a contemporary of Mozart and an acquaintance of Paganini and Verdi. You will also enjoy a playful duet by Mozart from The Magic Flute, a classic Italian baroque cello concerto by Vivaldi, and a 20th century symphony by Prokofiev. In the mix are also some guitar solos played by the incomparable John Williams.
Comments
As always, your play list offers a fine respite from life's noise and challenges.
With lots of cello music! It's a wonderful thing to say, "I'd love to hear more cello" and than have you make it so the very next week. Thanks!
Was listening to your September birthdays show and heard you mention yours is coming up this month. Which day?? Whichever, enjoy!
Beth
Wonderful Christmas show, brother. Craig
Hey Paul,
This Eric Sate (not sure of spelling)..."haunting"...I'm practically crying! Well, music should be emotive, I guess. Craig
Craig,
Haunting is a good word to describe Satie's music.If you listened to my commentary, you'll remember that he was involved in mysticism and esoteric religious practices. And he was a recluse for the latter decades of his life. His music is haunting because he was probably haunted by devils of his own making.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Glad for Friday morning replay. The Hawaiian singer was awesome...nice spin on "classical" genre. I think you're show is great...though we tend toward chamber/concerto sounds...the symphonic and other sounds are great and good to learn about...thanks for sharing this gift. Craig
Craig
Thanks for the kind comment, Craig. Though my taste also tends more to the chamber/concerto side of things, I can't neglect one of the most widely recognized (and loved) aspects of classical music: the symphony. I appreciate the kind word about the Hawaiian song as well. As you can see, I interpret the word classical losely. The interpretation will become even looser, I'm sure, as time goes on.
Paul
Thanks for the lovely Haydn guitar music today...I've long been fond of the London Symphonies and hearing another piece has reminded me how long it's been since I pulled out some Haydn. Thanks, Craig
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