next three choices

Since you liked String Quartet No.1 in D Major Op.11: II Andante Cantabile (Tchaikovsky), we collected examples of chamber music. This time we have three pieces from 3 different time periods.

An der schonen, blauen Donau (The Beautiful Blue Danube), Waltz, Op. 314, a song by Johann Strauss II, Wiener Philharmoniker, Willi Boskovsky on Spotify

J. Strauss II - An der schonen blanen Donau 

Johann Strauss II is an Austrian composer and conductor. Unlike many other major classical composers, he gained fame throughout Europe while he was still alive. He was referred to as “The King of Waltzes”, “The Sun of Vienna”, “Vienna’s other Emperor.” Many contemporary composers have regarded Strauss Jr. as the greatest composer alive. Johannes Brahms even expressed jealously that he was not the composer of this piece. Despite being held in such high esteem by other composers, his focus on dance music such as waltzes and polkas, considered vulgar forms of music tends to be regarded less as forms of art.

This Viennese waltz was composed in 1867, and considered Austria’s second national anthem. This is always played at the conclusion of the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual New Year Concert, followed by the “Radezky March.”  

Gorgeous

Fills our hearts with hope when this waltz plays.





Ravel - Pavane pour une infante defune (6 min)　

Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19, a song by Maurice Ravel, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic on Spotify

French composer Ravel wrote this music for the piano in 1899, while he was still studying at the Conservatorie de Paris.  This short yet elegant work has been arranged in various forms, including an orchestra version by Ravel himself.

Pavane is a style of dance music popular in European courts during the 16th to 17th centuries.  This piece is a nostalgic homage to Spanish culture and legacies.

Soothing  

Beautiful. Lyrical.



Holst - The Planets “Jupiter” (8 min)

Holst: The Planets, Op. 32: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity: Allegro giouoso, a song by Gustav Holst, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult on Spotify


”The Planets” is arguably the most famous work by the British composer Gustav Holst’s most famous works.  This orchestral suite consists of 7 movements, each named after astrological planets; Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This was never meant to be astronomically accurate depiction of those planets.

Of the 7 movements, Jupiter (sub-titled “the Bringer of Jollity”) is the most well-known piece. It even became a hymn for the Church of England. This movement has three parts, of which the middle part is very popular. This suite has also inspired and influenced film music by composers such as John Williams and Hans Zimmer.

Gorgeous

This is the perfect example of orchestral music depicting profound themes such as space.