What was going on in the world in 1684 that produced a trio of composers the following year unrivaled in music history? The two more celebrated composers are to come, but first up is the curious case of Domenico Scarlatti, favored son of Alessandro Scarlatti who we covered a several weeks ago. From what we … Continue reading Baroque Music X: Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Author: ethanlitwin
Life-long New Yorker. Graduate of Duke University and Georgetown Law. Solicitor of England and Wales. Recognized by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, Global Competition Review, Super Lawyers and others as one of the leading antitrust litigators in the United States. Former Chairman and current Board member of Gingold Theatrical Group. Former Young Patron Board member at the Met Opera.
Interlude: The Power of Great Art
Playwright, lyricist, theatre critic and all-round Renaissance guy David Cote asked his many followers the other day to identify "a work of art that had an actual, direct, political consequence . . . [a] work of art that led to political change." Perhaps such a work exists, but the power of great art, in my … Continue reading Interlude: The Power of Great Art
Rameau’s Harmony
Rameau’s importance to the development of opera notwithstanding, his claim to fame lies in his music theory. Rameau’s harmonic innovations, and especially his development of a fundamental bass, form the basis of modern theories of tonality. Rameau’s 1722 Treatise on Harmony (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traité_de_l%27harmonie_réduite_à_ses_principes_naturels) more or less governed musical composition until Debussy more or less threw it … Continue reading Rameau’s Harmony
Lists for the New Year
Two quick hits for New Years’ Eve. First, a playlist. Nothing too fancy about this one—just those songs I want to hear tonight. Something old, with a bit of swing and nostalgia. Only one of these songs will feature on this blog properly. But who said music can’t be simple and fun? https://open.spotify.com/playlist/189hm5EStw2kNVYEkuHGQ7 Finally, because … Continue reading Lists for the New Year
Interlude: A bit of fun
Several weeks ago, I linked to a great album from the Icelandic pianist Vikingur Olafsson, which contrasts the music of Rameau with Debussy. That Conversation is well-known, since Debussy composed a work entitled Hommage a Rameau. It is an ironic Conversation, since Debussy, more than any other composer, was responsible for undermining Rameau's theory of … Continue reading Interlude: A bit of fun
A Gertus History of Music 