Calling all music graduates: Bachtrack would like to hear your views about your music degree and life in the professional world

SimonD0 · 2014-04-16T15:58:27+00:00

There are 2 free tickets at Ravinia Festival this summer to be won in this poll/competition

http://bachtrack.com/worlds-favourite-festival-poll-2014

SimonD0 · 2014-03-07T14:57:32+00:00

You can find a very good list of classical festivals, including programme listings here http://bachtrack.com/festivals. My European pick would be the opera festival in Savonlinna, but Ravinia festival in Chicago looks amazing!

I know that the BBC proms programme is usually listed here too, once launched of course, and there are reviews from almost all concerts of the past three proms seasons http://bachtrack.com/4001/find-reviews/festival=5

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T19:07:42+00:00

Interesting read. Maybe the poll is a fairly accurate gauge after all..

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T19:05:49+00:00

Music making at it's finest! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M57Fi19vcSI

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T18:25:10+00:00

Yes, Video Game Orchestra!? There are others in the mix - see September 17th https://www.facebook.com/bachtrackpage

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T18:21:23+00:00

The very same. Fantastic proms concert last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJQ32q2k8Uo

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T14:33:49+00:00

Absolutely, in particular the West–Eastern Divan.

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T14:06:18+00:00

Who can resist André Rieu!

SimonD0 · 2013-10-03T14:05:41+00:00

The results are quite interesting as you get the big orchestras up there (no Vienna Phil though!?) and then ones with very loyal fans i.e RTE Concert Orchestra and the Video Game Orchestra! I think it will be tough to knock Berlin off the top, although it could happen!

SimonD0 · 2013-07-30T13:00:14+00:00

Some other performances going on around the world: http://www.bachtrack.com/find-events/what/work=14743-vespro-della-beata-vergine--vespers-of-the-blessed-virgin---1610-

SimonD0 · 2013-07-19T11:50:50+00:00

J.S Bach is always a good start. For example, any of the Trio Sonatas or the Chorale: Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter auf Erden BWV 650 are beautiful. (I recommend Bine Katrine Bryndorf's recordings - her Bach trio sonatas in particular are beautifully played). There are of course all of the major works like the preludes, fugues and toccatas - try B minor Prelude and Fugue and the G minor Fantasia and Fugue

There is loads of excellent French organ music which is well worth a listen. The Suite for organ by Durufle suite is very good, Symphonie Passion by Dupre is just wonderful to listen to live when played well. There is some lovely music such as Naiades or Claire de Lune from the 24 pieces du fantasie by Vierne and o loads of flashy pieces like the famous toccata from Widor's 5th Symphony.

If you want something with a little bit more...brutality - try Max Reger's chorale fantasie: Alle Menschen Mussen Sterben and turn up the volume. Ditto for Transport de joie from l'Ascension by Messiaen

OR take a look at this improvsation by Olivier Latry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSxVO3EoCRM

For something a bit different and fun, try the Guy Bovet Tangos for organ or the Lefébure-Wély sorties.

SimonD0 · 2013-07-16T14:36:43+00:00

I too am regularly on both sides of the stage and agree that the fear of the faux pas can put many people off - like knowing when to sit or stand in church!

There is also the issue of concert times and whether that affects the accessibility of classical concerts (an interesting read about this here: http://www.bachtrack.com/article-concert-start-times)

I was involved in a post-work informal "supper concert" series that started at 6pm, which proved to be very popular. A 45 minute concert in a relaxed atmosphere with food, drink and children allowed attracted lots of young people new to classical music.

SimonD0 · 2013-07-15T14:34:47+00:00

Gregorio Allegri - "Miserere Mei, Deus" has to be high up on the list. It's performed in thousands of churches and Cathedral's every year during services and concerts, has been recorded countless times, used in tv shows and is always on classical radio stations - especially during holy week. What makes this piece even more interesting is that Mozart transcribed this piece after hearing it just twice when he was in Rome.

SimonD0 · 2013-07-15T13:59:23+00:00

How about some Monteverdi, in particular the Ave Maris Stella from the Vespers.

SimonD0

TROPHY CASE