GaySA Radio

This week and last I have been preparing to travel and then travelling, so I will not be doing any sort of formal discussion today. Instead we will simply listen to some music of the contemporaries of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. I will announce the items, but what I would like you to pay attention to is the strong similarity of style between these composers. This is because all were writing durin...

I am preparing to travel and then travelling this week and next, so I will not be doing any formal discussions today and next week. Instead, we will listen to some music from the contemporaries of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. I will announce the items, but I would like you to pay attention to the strong similarity of style between these composers. This is because all were writing during the 18th c...

We are still on the path to compare and be able to identify the music of the three classical giants, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Today we look at Thematic, Rhythmic and Emotional developments in Beethoven’s music. We start with the famous Symphony 5 with the “fate” motif, and in this symphony, we will find examples of the features I call Beethoven’s fingerprints. After that a much easier work, a...

Beethoven as a composer bridged between two periods in the history of music. He was taught and influenced by Haydn as well as Johann Baptist Schenk, Emanuel Aloys Förster, Anton Salieri, and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger. Beethoven held the music of Mozart in high regard, although it is unknown if the two ever met. We are on the path to compare and be able to identify the music of the three classic...

Beethoven as a composer bridged between two periods in the history of music. He was taught and influenced by Haydn as well as Johann Baptist Schenk, Emanuel Aloys Förster, Anton Salieri, and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger. Beethoven held the music of Mozart in high regard, although it is unknown if the two ever met. We are on the path to compare and be able to identify the music of the three classic...

We are progressing in our exploration of musical fingerprints today by looking a third time at the music of Franz Josef Haydn, a Classical Period composer. This we will do for at least one more week, leading up to comparing the style of Haydn with that of Mozart and Beethoven. Today there is a Symphony, a Piano Sonata, and a Piano Trio – the first a little sad, the others extremely warm and humoro...

We are progressing in our exploration of musical fingerprints today by looking a second time at the music of Franz Josef Haydn, a Classical Period composer. We will do this for at least one more week, leading up to comparing the style of Haydn with that of Mozart. Today there are two Symphonies and a String Quartet. And a couple of jokes. I hope you will be with me for the journey! Franz Josef Hay...

We are progressing in our exploration of musical fingerprints today by looking at the music of Franz Josef Haydn, a Classical Period composer. We will do this for at least one more week, leading up to comparing the style of Haydn with that of Mozart. I hope you will be with me for the journey! Franz Josef Haydn: String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3, Hob. Lll:77 Emperor Performed by the Emerson...

Two A major Concerto’s by Mozart today. Mozart’s Concertos for Piano and for Clarinet, are both in A major. This is one of Mozart’s “happy keys”, along with E flat major and C major. In the context of the Doctrine of the Affections, each musical key was believed to have its own inherent emotional qualities, and composers used these keys deliberately to evoke specific emotions or moods in their com...

So, let us imagine that you are listening to a piece of music, but you cannot place it. What is its name? We reviewing some music from an earlier programme, looking at musical fingerprints in this episode, things that can help us find out what that piece of music is. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E major Kk380 Performed on Harpsicord by Scott Ross · Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade in G ma...

Today I am going to give you three characteristics of the music of Bach and Händel by which you will be able to tell them apart. These are: Style and Complexity, Harmonic Language, and Form and Structure. These are illustrated by Fugues, Theme and Variations, and Suites from each composer for direct comparison. So, lend me your ears and let’s investigate! Johan Sebastian Bach: Art of Fugue, BWV 10...

Today’s programme is part 2 of 3 in which we look at the structure called the Suite, which was an instrumental staple of the Baroque period, and a forerunner of the Classical symphony. The Suite is based on stylized dances of the period (or earlier), and consequently are quite easy listening. In part 1 we looked at those by Bach; now in part 2 those by Handel and also a concerto by Vivaldi which f...

Today’s programme is part 1 of 3 in which we look at the structure called the Suite, which was an instrumental staple of the Baroque period, and a forerunner of the Classical symphony. The Suite is based on stylized dances of the period (or earlier), and consequently are quite easy listening. In part 1 we look at those by Bach; in part 2 those by Handel and also a concerto by Vivaldi which fits th...

Today’s programme is about the most advanced and exciting product of the Baroque period – the Fugue. We already did the lesson section last week, but I’m repeating that section by request (the first 16 minutes). Fugue is not an easy concept, so this is another opportunity to get to grips with Fugue. I’m about to make it easy to understand! This week the music is not only for piano – I have fugues...

Today’s programme is about the most advanced and exciting product of the Baroque period – the Fugue. Yes, it’s complicated. But I’m about to make it easy to understand! And give you many opportunities to practice listening to this challenging but enjoyable music. I can’t wait to share this with you! Johan Sebastian Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Preludes and Fugues 1 - 8, BWV 846 – 853 a...

In the next programme in the series, we are looking at Musical Fingerprints Part 11. What are these? These are the unique characteristics of individual composers, instruments, periods of music, musical styles and specific compositional types that an observant listener will immediately identify. In today’s programme I am going to play 6 mystery items for you. My challenge to you will to identify th...

What are these? These are the unique characteristics of individual composers, instruments, periods of music, musical styles and specific compositional types that an observant listener will immediately identify. Today we look at Keyboard music of the Harpsicord and Fortepiano Even if this is something you already know, join me anyway for music by Bach and Mozart. Johann Sebastian Bach: Italian Conc...

In the next programme in the series, we are looking at Musical Fingerprints Part 3. What are these? These are the unique characteristics of individual composers, periods of music, musical styles and specific compositional types that an observant listener will immediately identify. Today we look at four Sonatas for Violin with Keyboard accompaniment. Even if this is something you already know, join...

In the next programme in the series, we are looking at Musical Fingerprints Part 10. What are these? These are the unique characteristics of individual composers, instruments, periods of music, musical styles and specific compositional types that an observant listener will immediately identify. Today we look at the Keyboard music of the Piano in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Even if this...

Today is about recognizing the sound of a Baroque orchestra, vs a Classical orchestra, vs a Romantic orchestra, vs a Modern (20th century) orchestra. Even if this is something you already know, join me anyway for music by Bach, Haydn, Schumann, and Bartok. And a surprising item for piano by György Ligeti: Musica Ricercata - VI. Allegro molto capriccioso György Ligeti: Musica Ricercata - VI. Allegr...

Today we look at Keyboard music of the Piano in the twentieth century. Many people think that this music is unlistenable, but I would like to surprise you with some truly interesting music. I will highlight these –ism genres: Impressionism, Expressionism, Nationalism, Neoclassicism, Experimentalism (also called Aleatoric or Avante Garde, or Chance Music), and Minimalism. Even if this is something...

We are still listening to Ballet music, but we have moved on to the twentieth century, where the Romantic fixation with lush sound, expressive melodies and emotional stories gives way to a wider variety of influences. Amongst these are modernism, neo classicism, jazz and avante garde. The contemporary choreography frequently reflects more abstract experimentation in movement and form, allowing the...

Get out your Tutu, Leotard, and Pointe Shoes! The most romantic of all Romantic music today! Part three of the three part dip into the world of Ballet music. Today we hear Adolphe Adam’s Ballet Music from Giselle and Pyotr Ilych Tcahaikovsky’s Ballet Music from Swan Lake Prepare to be entranced. Adolphe Adam: Ballet Music from Giselle Performed by the Nuremberg Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Han...

More of the most romantic of all Romantic music today! Prepare for part two of a three part dip into the world of Ballet music. Today we hear Pyotr Ilych Tcahaikovsky’s Ballet Music from The Nutcracker Suite, and also Léo Delibes’ Ballet Music from Coppélia. Prepare to be entranced. Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky: Ballet Music from The Nutcracker Suite Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted...

The most romantic of all Romantic music today! Part one of a three part dip into the world of Ballet music. Today we hear Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, and also Les Sylphides, which is Chopin’s music as arranged by Alexander Glazunov. Prepare to be entranced. Pyotr Ilych Tcahaikovsky: Ballet Music from The Sleeping Beauty Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan &...