Classical

005: Glenn Gould, Toccata in Cm (J.S. Bach)

Why do I so respect Glenn Gould? Because his playing is willful, extreme, eccentric. Because it’s utterly engaged.

073: Erik Satie, ‘Gymnopédie No. 1’

Erik Satie hung out with Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc, Milhaud, Stravinsky, Cocteau, Duchamp, Picasso, Braque, Man Ray, Breton, Diaghilev and Rene Clair, but no one entered his apartment for the last 27 years of his life. After his death, 84 identical handkerchiefs were found in his wardrobe.

129: Franz Schubert, ‘Death and the Maiden’

In Renaissance art, the Death and the Maiden allegory depicted irresistible Death seducing a hot virgin without any clothes—think of a slasher movie directed by Ingmar Bergman. In young Franz Schubert’s string quartet, this motif becomes a hyper-energized meditation on his impending demise.

October 18, 2018 by jeff Classical Song Of the week 6

280: Charles Ives, ‘The Unanswered Question’

Founder of a successful insurance company. on weekends he composed modernist music that lay unheard for 50 years and “responded to negligence with contempt”.
My new role model.

March 16, 2018 by jeff Classical Song Of the week 2

161, The Swingle Singers, ‘Sinfonia from Partita No.2 in C Minor’

The 2013 Swingle Singers are great. The 1963 Swingle Singers weren’t bad, either. (Caution: This posting contains a clip of Glenn Gould practicing which may not be suitable for younger audiences.)

January 25, 2013 by jeff A Cappella Classical Song Of the week 5

055: Miles Davis/Gil Evans, ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’

Thanks this week to my friend MK, who has so generously and virulently argued with me over the last couple of weeks about the sanctity and inviolability of classical music. She believes in all her...

June 13, 2010 by jeff Classical Jazz Song Of the week 0

012: Arvo Pärt, ‘Cantate Domino’

In which Jeff gets a lesson in tintinnabulation and religious serenity from the contemporary Estonian liturgical composer Arvo Pärt. A little trip to heaven.

December 26, 2009 by jeff A Cappella Classical Other Song Of the week 6