The Baroque sonata form often contained a 3/4 or 6/8 meter movement, and horns would feature prominently. The horn can also sustain a pedal tone or sound the root of a chord to support the other four instruments.

There was lots ‘o repertoire written for woodwind quintet in the 20th century. There is a woodwind quintet nestled in with a string quartet, augmented percussion, and celeste in Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw. Britten wrote the score for “eleven solo instruments,” and organized his twelve-tone row into triadic tonal centers so the ear hears common practice harmony.

Three of the woodwind quintet members double on other instruments. Flute/alto flute/piccolo, oboe/English horn, clarinet/bass clarinet and C clarinet. Britten’s orchestration is amazing. He creates a broader palette of pleasing sound than any other 12-tone composer.

The opera is based on the Henry James novella, and is every bit as scary. There are only four characters: a young boy and his older sister, the new governess, and two very sinister servants, a woman and a man. It’s a plum role for a boy soprano, and is not often performed.

I had a stupendous senior year in college. Actually two years. Sonoma State University in the late 70’s, faculty all Berkeley ph.d.s, slathered in non-western and experimental music. A lucky, lucky woman. I’ve been fortunate in having an arts management career on both the east coast and the west coast. Austin is not as fertile ground for me, or at least not yet. I’ve been fortunate in what I’ve found, and tonight I am very grateful for that.

This is the cool-down for The Good Musician, and I have learned quite a bit, especially about the pedagogy of blogging. Quite a challenge with a day gig, performing, and a tour. I’ll still write about music in my other blog (shameless promotion– http://friedokraproductions.blogspot.com), but you’ll have to put up with the rest of my nonsense if you dare.

Post from: The Good Musician

Notenspur Music Trail opens fall 2008. It’s a 4.7 km signposted walking trail through musical wonderland. Sort of a pilgrimage to experience the homes and churches of an exceptional musical city. Leipzig was home to so many greats, poets as well as musicians and artists. But the city excels in nurturing music.

This relatively small area–the centrum being only a few dozen blocks or so, is lush with memories and memorabilia of J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartoldy, Clara Schumann, Richard Wagner, Edvard Grieg, Gustav Mahler, et al. In amongst the plazas are the Leipzig Opera House, the ultra-modern Gewandhaus, and other cultural buildings.

Here are some photographs from Leipzig for your visual pleasure. Sample the music of the composers, educators, and performers who bloomed in Leipzig. All photos by The Good Musician.

Thomaskirche–Bach’s final posting. He is buried in the kirche.

A statue of the man himself, courtyard at thomaskirche.

One of these days I’ll learn how to mess with sizing images…

Post from: The Good Musician

Budapest is smaller than Prague, and sadly received more damage during World War II. This is a lovely church in Budapest.

Image details: A Church In Budapest served by picapp.com

Here’s a view of Budapest and the Danube–waltz, anyone?

Image details: Budapest and danube river served by picapp.com

This is the Prague cathedral.

Image details: Prague Cathedral served by picapp.com

With the Church of St. Nicholas in the foreground, you can see at least three other equally magnificent edifices.

Image details: Prague Emerges As A Major European Tourist Attraction served by picapp.com

Can’t wait.

Post from: The Good Musician

You can download Czech music mp3s here.

More about Czech music here.

From Radio Prague, an exceptionally well written piece on the history of music in general, and Czech music in particular.

Visit the Czech Music Information Centre to learn more about contemporary Czech music.

A really cool music festival site with tiny scrolling trams and bicycles.

Post from: The Good Musician