Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959) Rhapsody- Concerto for Viola The birth of Bohuslav Martinu was a joyous occasion in the small Bohemian town of Policka (Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic). His father was the fire watcher and bell ringer for St. James Church, and on the public holiday of December 8, 1890, young Bohuslav was born in the […]
Arturo Marquez (b Álamos, Sonoma, Mexico, 1950 – ) Danzón No. 2 Above the quiet accompaniment of lazy piano chords and a slow and steady basic Latin rhythm from the claves, a solo clarinet sings. It’s a nostalgic song, a bit lonesome, and utterly beguiling. This opening to Marquez’s Danzón No. 2 perfectly […]
Gustav Mahler (Born, 1860, Bohemia (now Jihlava, Czech Republic); Died, 1911, Vienna) Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp minor Part I. – Trauermarsch (Funeral March) – Stürmisch bewegt, mit größter Vehemenz (In turbulent motion. With greatest vehemence) Part II. – Scherzo: Kräftig, nicht zu schnell (With strength, but not too fast) Part III. […]
Gustav Mahler (b Kalischt, near Iglau, Bohemia (now Jihlava, Czech Republic), July 7, 1860; dVienna, May 18, 1911) Symphony No. 4 1. Bedächtig. Nicht eilen – Recht gemächlich (Deliberately. Unhurried – Very leisurely) 2. In gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast (In a leisurely manner, without haste) 3. Ruhevoll (Calm) (Poco adagio) 4. Sehr behaglich (Very contentedly) […]