Lovely Joan (Ralph Vaughn William's Fantasia)
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Lovely Joan (Ralph Vaughn William's Fantasia)
Swan song performed by Yo Yo ma (poor audio quality, could not find a better version)
http://youtu.be/TgRAA-ew0H4
Fugue continued....
All the collection of Bach's prelude and fugue are consolidated into two books named 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' (it was previously having a different name). Bach's prelude and fugue is the most difficult thing in the world to understand and play even for experts. Just imagining playing in a keyboard or piano with just two hands which has multiple voices (not vocal) aka. counterpoints. Normally this is taught at the high school level or in the college. If playing itself is so difficult, just imagine how a composer would have composed this piece. Fugue is a big milestone in western classical music history. And one of the main reason why Bach is considered the composer of the world for any age/time.
Please listen to this piece (recommended by my teacher). This is from Book 1 BWV 847 and is in C-minor.The Fugue starts at 1:35 of this video. Played by 'Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy' on Piano. You can see its complexity when you observe closely, but it will not sound complex, very soothing to listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nNbzo7KP-o
Bach cannot be equalled!
V_S Please Continue!!
I have just come upon this thread and am awaiting the weekend to fully enjoy the past posts :D
I've always wanted to know the history behind such and such classical period, but it seems like such a daunting task to undertake alone...for too long I have listened to classical music without knowing any of its history
So Thank You For This!!! :ty: :ty:
Thank you Que. Sure will share whatever little I know and understand as I come across. I too love the history of WCM, in-fact any classical music and how it evolved.
Dear V_S,
Finally found the time to read through all your posts,
Though the music certainly takes center stage
your recounts of history were truly engrossing to read,
please do continue :)
I didn't know Baroque extended to music as well
I have heard of it in Art and Architecture but not music...
I'm always a sucker for documentaries about music/art eras...but have not found any as such...
Here comes the next instrument which is widely used next after lute in renaissance and baroque period. It is viol or viola da gamba. Unlike we think from the name, viol does not belong to violin family (double bass, cello, viola, violin), but viola does, but both are not same. Still viol is a bowed string instrument like violin family. Viols are tuned in fourth (on staff notation, C to F is called fourth), while violas are tuned in fifth (C to G). There are also some differences in tuning different viols like the bass viols, tenor viols and treble viols, like it is not always tuned in fourth. Still today they have viols, we also have an equivalent in violin family, double bass which is also tuned in fourth like viols. I believe the range of bass viols is one octave below than guitar.
Some say the string instrument like violin first appeared in Northern Italy, but some say the bowed string instruments originated in Central Asia and moved to Europe while transferring itself some to India and China on its way. Whichever is true, the evolution is truly magnificent.
Another instrument which is very popular in renaissance and baroque period is harpsichord. I think it originated in Austria in 1300s. It looks and functions likes a grand piano with keyboard, but the sound is generated by plucking it. But it gave its first appearance in 1300 itself as a hand-held string instrument and gradually evolved by adding a small keyboard to it. By 1600 its range and size was increased so we need to sit before and play like a piano. It gained prominence during renaissance and baroque period. Obviously it gradually ceased and paved the way for piano by 1800s.
Now it's time to listen to one of the greatest duets involving both the above instruments, viola da gamba sonata with harpsichord in G Major from the greatest composer Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1027, I. Adagio) performed by Joanna Blendulf & Hanneke van Proosdij. Can't believe what vibrations these instruments invoke in me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgqrKFT7u0U
A perfect example of how a bass viola da gamba should be played. Just dissolve in the sound and emotion this instrument conveys. Remarkable performance by Abel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80mF23zen6s
Thanks to the youtube uploader for this wonderful share.
:clap: V_S for this one
Thanks k_g for your compliments. I am honoured.