A Note from Mozart. Watch the FINAL episode of Carlos@18. Perhaps one of the most famous pieces of music written for strings is Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Some consider it a serenade, but why? There are not enough movements, it lacks the shape of a serenade, and there are no winds. But Mozart (allegedly) wrote a note on the side of the score that read “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (“A Little Night’s Music”). No matter how you define it, this is one of the best pieces of music you will encounter. Also in this episode, Polish composer Henryk Górecki’s Three Pieces in Old Style for string orchestra.
A Note from Mozart. Watch the FINAL episode of Carlos@18. Perhaps one of the most famous pieces of music written for strings is Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Some consider it a serenade, but why? There are not enough movements, it lacks the shape of a serenade, and there are no winds. But Mozart (allegedly) wrote a note on the side of the score that read “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (“A Little Night’s Music”). No matter how you define it, this is one of the best pieces of music you will encounter. Also in this episode, Polish composer Henryk Górecki’s Three Pieces in Old Style for string orchestra.
Watch NowTake an octave leap with Beethoven in this episode of Carlos@18! Only recently have the works by female composers finally begun to be showcased in concert halls around the world. The current episode of Carlos@18 features world-renowned British composer Anna Clyne’s Stride. This beautifully crafted and personal piece was heavily influenced by Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata. Clyne says, "I chose a few melodic, rhythmic and harmonic fragments from each of the three movements and developed these in the three corresponding sections of Stride. The title is derived from the octave leaps that stride in the left hand in the first movement of Sonata Pathétique."
Take an octave leap with Beethoven in this episode of Carlos@18! Only recently have the works by female composers finally begun to be showcased in concert halls around the world. The current episode of Carlos@18 features world-renowned British composer Anna Clyne’s Stride. This beautifully crafted and personal piece was heavily influenced by Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata. Clyne says, "I chose a few melodic, rhythmic and harmonic fragments from each of the three movements and developed these in the three corresponding sections of Stride. The title is derived from the octave leaps that stride in the left hand in the first movement of Sonata Pathétique."
Watch NowWhen you think of a serenade you may think about music that is a bit lighter in character and pleasing to the ear. Twentieth-century Swedish composer Dag Wirén delivers on that serenade expectation! Wirén’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 11 is certain to bring a smile to your face and may induce spontaneous whistling. But, don’t be fooled, it is a well-crafted composition with colors, detail, and depth.
When you think of a serenade you may think about music that is a bit lighter in character and pleasing to the ear. Twentieth-century Swedish composer Dag Wirén delivers on that serenade expectation! Wirén’s Serenade for Strings, Op. 11 is certain to bring a smile to your face and may induce spontaneous whistling. But, don’t be fooled, it is a well-crafted composition with colors, detail, and depth.
Watch NowOn occasion, how composers and their works are recognized in musical history can sometimes take an unexpected or unfortunate turn. The talented composer Samuel Barber is perhaps best known for his work "Adagio for Strings." Although it was not Barber’s intention, the piece became America's semi-official music for mourning. In the case of Nikos Skalkottas, his talent as a composer was recognized early on by Kurt Weill and Arnold Schoenberg. However, few of Skalkottas' compositions were played in his homeland (Greece) during his lifetime, and he was little known as a composer.
On occasion, how composers and their works are recognized in musical history can sometimes take an unexpected or unfortunate turn. The talented composer Samuel Barber is perhaps best known for his work "Adagio for Strings." Although it was not Barber’s intention, the piece became America's semi-official music for mourning. In the case of Nikos Skalkottas, his talent as a composer was recognized early on by Kurt Weill and Arnold Schoenberg. However, few of Skalkottas' compositions were played in his homeland (Greece) during his lifetime, and he was little known as a composer.
Watch NowComposer Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte is a refreshing blend of traditional harmony, contrasting dissonance, and impressive string effects. Shaw wrote Entr’acte after hearing a string quartet play Haydn’s Op. 77 No. 2. As she describes it, “I love the way some music (like the minuets of Op. 77) suddenly takes you to the other side of Alice’s looking glass, in a kind of absurd, subtle, technicolor transition.”
Composer Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte is a refreshing blend of traditional harmony, contrasting dissonance, and impressive string effects. Shaw wrote Entr’acte after hearing a string quartet play Haydn’s Op. 77 No. 2. As she describes it, “I love the way some music (like the minuets of Op. 77) suddenly takes you to the other side of Alice’s looking glass, in a kind of absurd, subtle, technicolor transition.”
Watch NowDuring the 18th century, serenades were played to honor an important person, and usually performed in the background at large, festive gatherings. The unique scoring for strings and timpani sets 1776’s “Serenata Notturna” apart from Mozart’s other serenades, as does its three movements, instead of the usual six to eight. Its playful writing transforms music expected to be in the background into foreground listening pleasure.
During the 18th century, serenades were played to honor an important person, and usually performed in the background at large, festive gatherings. The unique scoring for strings and timpani sets 1776’s “Serenata Notturna” apart from Mozart’s other serenades, as does its three movements, instead of the usual six to eight. Its playful writing transforms music expected to be in the background into foreground listening pleasure.
Watch NowDuring the 18th century, serenades were played to honor an important person, and usually performed in the background at large, festive gatherings. The unique scoring for strings and timpani sets 1776’s “Serenata Notturna” apart from Mozart’s other serenades, as does its three movements, instead of the usual six to eight. Its playful writing transforms music expected to be in the background into foreground listening pleasure.
During the 18th century, serenades were played to honor an important person, and usually performed in the background at large, festive gatherings. The unique scoring for strings and timpani sets 1776’s “Serenata Notturna” apart from Mozart’s other serenades, as does its three movements, instead of the usual six to eight. Its playful writing transforms music expected to be in the background into foreground listening pleasure.
Watch NowExperience the world of folk-inspired music in the latest episode of Carlos@18. Wonderful rhythms and lush sounds are featured in American composer William Grant Still’s Danzes de Panama, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants on Dive and Lazarus.
Experience the world of folk-inspired music in the latest episode of Carlos@18. Wonderful rhythms and lush sounds are featured in American composer William Grant Still’s Danzes de Panama, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants on Dive and Lazarus.
Watch NowComposer, violinist, and educator Jessie Montgomery, whose music the Washington Post calls “turbulent, wildly colorful and exploding with life,” wrote Starburst in 2012. Her piece is paired with Rossini’s String Sonata No.6, a joyful, stormy, and spirited early work by the Italian composer in which you can hear the beginnings of his later masterwork The Barber of Seville.
Composer, violinist, and educator Jessie Montgomery, whose music the Washington Post calls “turbulent, wildly colorful and exploding with life,” wrote Starburst in 2012. Her piece is paired with Rossini’s String Sonata No.6, a joyful, stormy, and spirited early work by the Italian composer in which you can hear the beginnings of his later masterwork The Barber of Seville.
Watch NowThe celebration of Carlos Kalmar’s 18-year legacy as Music Director continues with Seeger and Strauss: American Modern and German Romantic. Carlos conducts members of the Oregon Symphony as they play pioneering modernist Ruth Crawford Seeger’s rarely performed mini-masterpiece, along with Richard Strauss’s rewarding string sextet.
The celebration of Carlos Kalmar’s 18-year legacy as Music Director continues with Seeger and Strauss: American Modern and German Romantic. Carlos conducts members of the Oregon Symphony as they play pioneering modernist Ruth Crawford Seeger’s rarely performed mini-masterpiece, along with Richard Strauss’s rewarding string sextet.
Watch NowBetween the ages of 12 and 14, Felix Mendelssohn wrote 12 string symphonies, and Music Director Carlos Kalmar says “they are all such an enormous display of talent, it is pretty much unbelievable.” In Symphony No.9, “you hear darkness and you hear light at the same time-it’s astonishing.”
Between the ages of 12 and 14, Felix Mendelssohn wrote 12 string symphonies, and Music Director Carlos Kalmar says “they are all such an enormous display of talent, it is pretty much unbelievable.” In Symphony No.9, “you hear darkness and you hear light at the same time-it’s astonishing.”
Watch NowOur premiere episode of Classical Sessions: Carlos@18, honoring Carlos Kalmar’s 18-year legacy as Music Director.
Our premiere episode of Classical Sessions: Carlos@18, honoring Carlos Kalmar’s 18-year legacy as Music Director.
Watch NowA world premiere by percussionist Sergio Carreno, featuring Intel's Curie chip technology.
A world premiere by percussionist Sergio Carreno, featuring Intel's Curie chip technology.
Watch Now