Choose a Performance
Option #1 … J.S. Bach: Magnificat in D
Bach’s Magnificat, composed in 1723, is a twelve-movement work based on the Latin liturgy from Luke, sometimes called the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin. Each separate movement features different vocal soloists or the five-part choir. The performers here do an excellent job, although they are not all particularly famous. Importantly, note that the instrumentalists are playing on instruments from that time period! Listen especially to complex textures and specific form, and comment at least briefly on each of the movements. Please ignore the interview links provided by YouTube (under the video).
Option #2 … W.A. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major, K.459
NOTE: To view the video, click on the link, which will take you to YouTube in a new tab or window. For whatever reason, this video cannot be viewed inside the classroom.
Mozart wrote his first piano concerto when he was only 11 years old and eventually wrote at least 27 of them. Romanian pianist Radu Lupu (who died just this year) studied in Hungary and Russia, and he recorded works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and others; his career also included many live performances and highly respected awards. Conductor David Zinman is an American. This piece is constructed in the 3-movement format, which is typical of all Viennese Classical concerti. Do make sure you listen to each movement all the way through. You might like to take notes while listening.
Option #3 … Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
This symphony in A Major is performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, and conducted by Iván Fischer. The Concertgebouw is one of the great orchestras of the world and Fischer is a top Hungarian-born conductor/composer. This symphony is in the usual 4 movements, with a third movement scherzo (instead of the typical minuet) and a profoundly deep and famous second movement. Notice the first movement also starts with a slow introduction, which is common in some symphonies. You need to write something about each movement and listen to them straight through to get the full impact.
