Favorite #5 Poema Singelo by Villa-Lobos

Poema Singelo

Written in 1938 by Brazilian Composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. He was a cellist. No wonder he favors the wonderful bass line. The piece follows ABACA form and this is a clean, relaxed and wonderful lyrical performance by Anna Stella Schic. Listen to the amazing alternating hand technique at minute 1:24 and 2:09!

Favorite Music #2

I don't know if this should actually go under the heading of Favorite Music: This is the Scariest Piece I have ever heard: Right Here. Prokofiev's Toccata Op. 11, played by Vladimir Horowitz. (Also Martha Argerich, I believe, but Horowitz really does it for me.) Prokofiev liked Horowitz's rendition. Prokofiev is one of those rare composers whose music actually has made me cry. I don't really like or expect to be affected that much, and I admire the work of someone whose music can elicit such a strong reaction.

Here is another take on it. Silly Dog Plays Toccata... (OK, that's Just For Fun!) To me the piece sounds like a Black Hawk Helicopter coming over the horizon to serve up some destruction, not a hyper cocker spaniel in a tuxedo pawing at a keyboard- but maybe that's what makes it so funny.

Is it Classical? Is it Jazz?

You need to hear the Impromptu Op. 66, No. 22 by Nicolai Kapustin.

This artist plays beautifully- but it's not a pure jazz sound. That's OK with me, but after hearing Kapustin play it I almost miss the cold, deep soul of jazz, she sounds like she plays with the fire and touch of a classical artist by comparison. I love the music around :50-:60

To hear what I mean, Kapustin himself sounds way more like the jazz player he is here.

Cool piece! I really enjoy composers who blend the jazz with classical traditions.

Like Copland's Clarinet Concerto.

Enjoy!!!

Favorite Music #1

The Happiest Piece I know: Gavotte from the French Suite No. 5 in G major

You have to begin at minute 5:48 to get the Gavotte.

Know one happier? Then I've got to hear it!

Here is a childhood favorite of mine: David Popper's Gavotte.

Here is probably my favorite ever single work of music. You've never heard it before. I think. You have to listen to it fifty times. I love the way the melodies layer over layer over layer...