Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
27 Amazing Musical Moments From 2014
This has been a stellar year for classical music – and we've collected some of our favourite moments in this gallery of the year.
Picture 1 of 27
(C) 2014 by ClassicsFM London.
Andre Rieu Plays Live at Wembley Arena
The King of The Waltz made a triumphant return to London to bring his show to Wembley Arena.
André Rieu live at Wembley Arena
Andre Rieu takes the applause during his festive show at Wembley Arena.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Cole Porter - His Music and His Life
Cole Porter was born June 9, 1891, at Peru, Indiana, the son of
pharmacist Samuel Fenwick Porter and Kate Cole. Cole was raised on a
750-acre fruit ranch. Kate Cole married Samuel Porter in 1884 and had
two children, Louis and Rachel, who both died in infancy. Porter's
grandfather, J.G. Cole, was a multi-millionaire who made his fortune in
the coal and western timber business. His mother introduced him to the
violin and the piano. Cole started riding horses at age six and began to
studying piano at eight at Indiana's Marion Conservatory. By age ten,
he had begun to compose songs, and his first song was entitled "Song of
the Birds".
He attended Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1905, an elite private school from which he graduated in 1909 as class valedictorian. That summer he toured Europe as a graduation present from his grandfather. That fall, he entered Yale University and lived in a single room at Garland's Lodging House at 242 York Street in New Haven, CT, and became a member of the Freshman Glee Club. In 1910, he published his first song, "Bridget McGuire". While at Yale, he wrote football fight songs including the "Yale Bulldog Song" and "Bingo Eli Yale," which was introduced at a Yale dining hall dinner concert. Classmates include poet Archibald Macleish, Bill Crocker of San Francisco banking family and actor Monty Woolley. Dean Acheson, later to be U.S. Secretary of State, lived in the same dorm with Porter and was a good friend of Porter. In his senior year he was president of the University Glee club and a football cheerleader.
He attended Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1905, an elite private school from which he graduated in 1909 as class valedictorian. That summer he toured Europe as a graduation present from his grandfather. That fall, he entered Yale University and lived in a single room at Garland's Lodging House at 242 York Street in New Haven, CT, and became a member of the Freshman Glee Club. In 1910, he published his first song, "Bridget McGuire". While at Yale, he wrote football fight songs including the "Yale Bulldog Song" and "Bingo Eli Yale," which was introduced at a Yale dining hall dinner concert. Classmates include poet Archibald Macleish, Bill Crocker of San Francisco banking family and actor Monty Woolley. Dean Acheson, later to be U.S. Secretary of State, lived in the same dorm with Porter and was a good friend of Porter. In his senior year he was president of the University Glee club and a football cheerleader.
Porter
graduated from Yale in 1913 with a BA degree. He attended Harvard Law
school from 1913 to 1914 and the Harvard School of Music from 1915 to
1916. In 1917 he went to France and distributed foodstuffs to
war-ravaged villages. In April 1918 he joined the 32nd Field Artillery
Regiment and worked with the Bureau of the Military Attache of the US.
During this time he met the woman who would become his wife, Linda Lee
Thomas, a wealthy Kentucky divorcée, at a breakfast reception at the
Ritz Hotel in Paris. He did not, as is often rumored, join the French
Foreign Legion at this time, nor receive a commission in the French army
and see combat as an officer.
In 1919 he rented an apartment in Paris, enrolled in a school specializing in music composition and studied with Vincent D'indy. On December 18, 1919, married Linda Lee Thomas, honeymooning in the south of France. This was a "professional" marriage, as Cole was, in fact, gay. Linda had been previously married to a newspaper publisher and was described as a beautiful woman who was one of the most celebrated hostesses in Europe. The Porters made their home on the Rue Monsieur in Paris, where their parties were renowned as long and brilliant. They hired the Monte Carlo Ballet for one of their affairs; once, on a whim, they transported all of their guests to the French Riviera.
In 1923 they moved to Venice, Italy, where they lived in the Rezzonico Palace, the former home of poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning.
They built an extravagant floating night club that would accommodate up
to 100 guests. They conducted elaborate games including treasure hunts
through the canals and arranged spectacular balls.
Porter's first play on Broadway featured a former ballet dancer, actor Clifton Webb. He collaborated with E. Ray Goetz, the brother-in-law of Irving Berlin, on several Broadway plays, as Goetz was an established producer and lyricist.
His ballad "Love For Sale" was introduced on December 8, 1930, in a revue that starred Jimmy Durante and was introduced by Kathryn Crawford. Walter Winchell,
the newspaper columnist and radio personality, promoted the song, which
was later banned by many radio stations because of its content. In
1934, his hit "Anything Goes" appeared on Broadway. During the show's
hectic rehearsal Porter once asked the stage doorman what he thought the
show should be called. The doorman responded that nothing seemed to go
right, with so many things being taken out and then put back in, that
"Anything Goes" might be a good title. Porter liked it, and kept it. In
1936, while preparing for "Red, Hot and Blue" with Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante, Ethel Merman
was hired to do stenographic work to help Porter in rewriting scripts
of the show. He later said she was the best stenographers he ever had.
Porter
wrote such classic songs as "Let's Do It" in 1928, "You Do Something To
Me" in 1929, "Love For Sale" in 1930, "What Is This Thing Called Love?"
in 1929, "Night and Day" in 1932, "I Get A Kick Out Of You" in 1934,
"Begin the Beguine" in 1935, "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" in 1938, "Don't
Fence Me In" in 1944, "I Love Paris" in 1953, "I've Got You Under My
Skin", In the Still of The Night", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To",
"True Love", "Just One Of Those Things", "Anything Goes", "From This
Moment On", "You're The Top", "Easy to Love" and many, many more.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Aram Khachaturian - His Music and His Life
Friday, November 28, 2014
The 16 Worst Classical Christmas Album Covers
Ho-ho-no! It's time for a look at the very
worst in festive album artwork from the classical music world, from
Roberto Alagna's hair to Arthur Fiedler's moustache and a cameo from
Jeremy Beadle. Brace yourselves...
Roberto Alagna - The Christmas Album
Looks like Michael Bolton's hair and his mum's gloves were on
the Christmas list this year. Season's greetings, Roberto!
(C) 2014 by ClassicFM London
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Christoph Willibald Gluck - His Music and His Life
A prolific opera composer of the classical period, Christoph
Gluck was credited for bringing in concrete reforms to the opera's
dramaturgical practices. His opera compositions were spread over various
operatic genres. Born to a Bohemian (Czech) father in 1714, Gluck
learned music at a tender age of three. After completing his studies in
Prague, he moved to Milan to gain practical knowledge of all the
instruments. His passion for music took him around the world such as
London, Prague, Vienna, and Venice. He was also awarded the 'Order of
the Golden Spur' in 1756 by Pope Benedict XIV. His musical legacy
includes around 35 complete operas and numerous other compositions. He
was also widely credited for his countless ballets and instrumental
works. His disciples ardently followed his styles of music throughout
the Revolutionary and the Napoleonic period. The composer died in 1787
after he suffered a stroke. Read on to know more about this great opera
composer and his life.
Early Life & Childhood
Christoph Gluck was born on July 2, 1714 to Alexander Johannes and Maria Walburga in Erasbach, Germany. A few years after his birth, the family moved to Bohemia in 1717. At a very young age, Gluck was introduced to music by way of the church choir. It is also speculated that he studied logic and mathematics in 1731 at the University of Prague, but failed to receive his degree for the same. And up until 1737, there are no records that talk about his whereabouts, as the accounts are very vague and ambiguous.
Musical Career
Gluck moved to Milan to study and gain practical knowledge of all the instruments under the guidance of G. B. Sammartini in 1737. He moved Sammartini with his sacred music and symphonies. Gluck was also taken aback by the vibrant operas and formed an association with opera houses, such as the Teatro Regio Ducal. In 1741, Gluck’s first opera ‘Artaserse’ was performed here. Gluck was also given the opportunity to perform the same opera for the open of the Milanese Carnival in 1742. Due to its raving success, he continued to compose operas for each of the next four Carnivals in Milan. He was later offered the post of house composer at London's King's Theatre in 1745. But due to the ‘Jacobite Rebellion’, the theatre was closed for a year. After four years, Gluck’s operas, ‘La caduta de'giganti’ and ‘Artamene’ were performed.
The next year Gluck was bestowed with two great opportunities. The first was a commission to compose an opera for Dresden, performed by Pietro Mingotti's troupe. This was for the royal wedding between the Bavaria and Saxony families. The success of his work brought him to the attention of the Viennese court and he was selected to compose ‘Metastasio's Semiramide riconosciuta’ to celebrate Maria Theresa's birthday. He then continued to tour with Mingotti's troupe. After he left the troupe he joined another group in Prague. The second opportunity arose when he was asked to compose an opera for the Prague Carnival in 1750, called the ‘Ezio’. Then, in 1752, he was asked to perform ‘Metastasio's La clemenza di Tito’ for the ‘nameday celebrations’ of King Charles VII of Naples. He composed the famous aria ‘Se mai senti spirarti sul volto’ and was praised for the same by various musicians. When Gluck finally settled in Vienna, he became the ‘Kapellmeister’ in 1754. Christoph was bestowed with the honor of ‘Knight of the Golden Spur’ by Pope Benedict XIV. After he received this honor, Gluck started using the title "Ritter von Gluck" or "Chevalier de Gluck." He began to write ‘opéra comiques’ and with the collaboration of Gasparo Angiolini (choreographer), Gluck produced his revolutionary ballet, ‘Don Juan’. In 1774, Gluck’s influence in Paris started a huge controversy, where the town was divided into "Gluckists" and "Piccinnists” after the famous Italian composer, Niccolò Piccinni. After a period of brief turmoil, Antonio Salieri, Gluck’s protégé, collaborated with him on ‘Les Danaïdes’, which premiered on April 26, 1784.
Important Compositions
Gluck’s music style was criticized by a lot by people who still preferred traditional Italian compositions. Due to influences from various teachers and important musicians, his operas symbolized the beginning of modern, musical dramas that marked the end for ‘opera seria’ styles. Most of Gluck’s compositions were influenced by Italian sacred music. Apart from his major compositions, Gluck composed a few arias, solo motets, and chorals. He also composed 9 symphonies, 6 trio sonatas and 2 trio sonatas.
Personal Life
When Gluck lived in Prague, he married the 18 year old daughter of a rich Viennese merchant on September 15, 1750. She was Maria Anna Bergin.
Death
While rehearsing for ‘Echo et Narcisse’, Gluck suffered his first stroke after which he moved to Vienna. During his last years, he lost interest in composing for opera houses, despite countless offers. His health continued to deteriorate and he suffered three more strokes. On November 15, 1787, Gluck suffered another fatal stroke and passed away a few days later. He was interred at the ‘Matzleinsdorfer Friedhof’ before being moved to a tomb in the Vienna Zentralfriedhof as the former cemetery was converted into a park in 1923.
Christoph Gluck was born on July 2, 1714 to Alexander Johannes and Maria Walburga in Erasbach, Germany. A few years after his birth, the family moved to Bohemia in 1717. At a very young age, Gluck was introduced to music by way of the church choir. It is also speculated that he studied logic and mathematics in 1731 at the University of Prague, but failed to receive his degree for the same. And up until 1737, there are no records that talk about his whereabouts, as the accounts are very vague and ambiguous.
Musical Career
Gluck moved to Milan to study and gain practical knowledge of all the instruments under the guidance of G. B. Sammartini in 1737. He moved Sammartini with his sacred music and symphonies. Gluck was also taken aback by the vibrant operas and formed an association with opera houses, such as the Teatro Regio Ducal. In 1741, Gluck’s first opera ‘Artaserse’ was performed here. Gluck was also given the opportunity to perform the same opera for the open of the Milanese Carnival in 1742. Due to its raving success, he continued to compose operas for each of the next four Carnivals in Milan. He was later offered the post of house composer at London's King's Theatre in 1745. But due to the ‘Jacobite Rebellion’, the theatre was closed for a year. After four years, Gluck’s operas, ‘La caduta de'giganti’ and ‘Artamene’ were performed.
The next year Gluck was bestowed with two great opportunities. The first was a commission to compose an opera for Dresden, performed by Pietro Mingotti's troupe. This was for the royal wedding between the Bavaria and Saxony families. The success of his work brought him to the attention of the Viennese court and he was selected to compose ‘Metastasio's Semiramide riconosciuta’ to celebrate Maria Theresa's birthday. He then continued to tour with Mingotti's troupe. After he left the troupe he joined another group in Prague. The second opportunity arose when he was asked to compose an opera for the Prague Carnival in 1750, called the ‘Ezio’. Then, in 1752, he was asked to perform ‘Metastasio's La clemenza di Tito’ for the ‘nameday celebrations’ of King Charles VII of Naples. He composed the famous aria ‘Se mai senti spirarti sul volto’ and was praised for the same by various musicians. When Gluck finally settled in Vienna, he became the ‘Kapellmeister’ in 1754. Christoph was bestowed with the honor of ‘Knight of the Golden Spur’ by Pope Benedict XIV. After he received this honor, Gluck started using the title "Ritter von Gluck" or "Chevalier de Gluck." He began to write ‘opéra comiques’ and with the collaboration of Gasparo Angiolini (choreographer), Gluck produced his revolutionary ballet, ‘Don Juan’. In 1774, Gluck’s influence in Paris started a huge controversy, where the town was divided into "Gluckists" and "Piccinnists” after the famous Italian composer, Niccolò Piccinni. After a period of brief turmoil, Antonio Salieri, Gluck’s protégé, collaborated with him on ‘Les Danaïdes’, which premiered on April 26, 1784.
Important Compositions
Gluck’s music style was criticized by a lot by people who still preferred traditional Italian compositions. Due to influences from various teachers and important musicians, his operas symbolized the beginning of modern, musical dramas that marked the end for ‘opera seria’ styles. Most of Gluck’s compositions were influenced by Italian sacred music. Apart from his major compositions, Gluck composed a few arias, solo motets, and chorals. He also composed 9 symphonies, 6 trio sonatas and 2 trio sonatas.
Personal Life
When Gluck lived in Prague, he married the 18 year old daughter of a rich Viennese merchant on September 15, 1750. She was Maria Anna Bergin.
Death
While rehearsing for ‘Echo et Narcisse’, Gluck suffered his first stroke after which he moved to Vienna. During his last years, he lost interest in composing for opera houses, despite countless offers. His health continued to deteriorate and he suffered three more strokes. On November 15, 1787, Gluck suffered another fatal stroke and passed away a few days later. He was interred at the ‘Matzleinsdorfer Friedhof’ before being moved to a tomb in the Vienna Zentralfriedhof as the former cemetery was converted into a park in 1923.
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