The word “philharmonic” means, literally, “loving harmony.” Mrs. Philharmonica was the pen name of an English musician in the 18th century — a still-unidentified harmony-loving woman. who anonymously published at least a dozen compositions. Today’s Beautiful Music is a performance of one of them: Mrs. Philharmonica’s Chamber Divertimento #1.
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 16 Read More »
Agave Baroque is a quintet based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their specialty is playing string chamber music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially unusual repertory. This is Agave Baroque from a performance in January 2020 of the Cancíon a 3 from the Cusco Cathedral Archive. It’s Beautiful Music from Peru!
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 15 Read More »
From the time he was just a little boy, listening to his father make music, Julian Bream was drawn to music. For his 11th birthday, Julian Bream received his own guitar, and showed an instant aptitude for playing it. As an internationally acclaimed performer, he helped put guitar, as well as lute, on the musical
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 14 Read More »
Happy Birthday to American soprano Kathleen Battle! The opera star was born on August 13, 1948 in Portsmouth, Ohio. In celebration of her birthday, today’s Beautiful Music offering features a few of her stunningly gorgeous performances of music by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3-w4QP-104 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrJSOsILYe8
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 13 Read More »
A friend recently tipped me off about a new recording featuring a terrific flutist: Brandon Patrick George. He’s an active soloist, as well as a member of Imani Winds. I look forward to sharing the new recording once I’ve secured a copy for Sunday Baroque. In the meantime, I wanted you to have a little
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 12 Read More »
The phrase “Emerging Artists” has such a positive and hopeful connotation to it, now more than ever. I’m pleased to share this Beautiful Music offering of a recital featuring an emerging artist, harpsichordist Joyce Chen. This is from a recital she performed in 2019 as part of Early Music America’s Emerging Artist program.
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 11 Read More »
And now for something completely different: Bach on the Tuba! The fantastic musician Chris Olka is principal tuba player in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He gives a beautiful and compelling performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite BWV1008.
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 10 Read More »
I’m pleased to share Beautiful Music by Johann Sebastian Bach — KOMM, SUSSES KREUZ — highlighting the intricate and intimate interplay of voice and viola da gamba. Bass-Baritone Dashon Burton and viola da gamba player Lisa Terry are featured in this April 2011 performance in NYC. You will also find links to both artists’ bios.
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 9 Read More »
Many of us are craving the live concerts that are on hold. So today’s Beautiful Music offering features pianist Lara Downes from a 2011 performance at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis. She is playing her fascinating “13 Ways of Looking at the Goldberg: Bach Reimagined.” It is Lara Downes’ exquisite
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 8 Read More »
“Masques” were a type of entertainment popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, often including a mix of music with dancing, singing and acting, Think “multi-media spectacle” in today’s terms. Musica Pacifica plays some Beautiful Music from their DANCING IN THE ISLES recording. These are cheerful and lovely masques you’ll want to wear all day
Beautiful Music in Difficult Times August 7 Read More »
