By Mista-3/5/2021
It\’s the month of March. Usually, it\’s supposed to get warmer…right? Ah well, not this year. It\’s been unbelievably cold these past several weeks. Since it\’s too cold outside for a walk(read: I prefer being sedentary and sitting whilst munching on snacks), it\’s always a great idea to listen to some music.
Now, the modern fellows and ladies certainly have their own intriguing playlists with their loud shredding guitars and the heavy banging of drums and the seemingly constant….crashing, but I assure you….classical music is definitely worth a listen. \”Classical\” is an umbrella term-the music itself is divided into time periods, each with their respective representative composers:
Baroque(1600-1750) Ex. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi
Classical(1750-1830) Ex. Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
Romantic(1830-1900)Ex. Chopin, Tchaikovsky
Modern(1900 and onward)Ex, Prokofiev, Shostakovich
In respect of the current month of March, the names of Vivaldi and Chopin stand out in particular, for both were born in the month. Besides their general lives, there are also a few of their signature pieces(which I have put down due to personal preference)
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) was an Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher, impresario, and Roman Catholic priest. Born in Venice, the capital of the Venetian Republic, Vivaldi is regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe, being paramount in the development of Johann Sebastian Bach\’s instrumental music. He composed many instrumental concertos, for the violin and a variety of other musical instruments, as well as sacred choral works and more than forty operas.
Recommended works:
Four Seasons
Violin Concerto in E Minor, RV278
Cantate \”Cessate, omai cessate\”
La Stravaganza
Violin Concerto in E Minor, RV281
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era who wrote primarily for solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown as a leading musician of his era, one whose \”poetic genius was based on a professional technique that was without equal in his generation.\”
Recommended works:
Op 23. Ballade No.1 in G Minor
Fantaise-Impromptu Op.66
Op. 35. Piano Sonata No.2 in Bb Minor(Funeral March)
Waltz in Ab major
Étude Op. 25, No. 11 in A minor(Winter Wind)