Antonio Vivaldi is the first composer on this list whose name and music are likely familiar to everyone. That was not always the case. Despite his profound influence on Bach and many others, Vivaldi’s compositions fell out of a favor (his virtuosity as a violinist was his primary calling card, not his compositions) and were pretty … Continue reading Baroque Music VII: Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Category: Baroque Period
Interlude: At the side of the road
This morning, I was listening to Jakub Jozef Orlinski's remarkable new album, Anima Aeterna, which not surprisingly for this gifted young countertenor, features a wealth of Baroque masterpieces. On this album, however, Jakub has drawn from the music of Baroque composers who, for lack of a better phrase, have been left by the side of … Continue reading Interlude: At the side of the road
Baroque Music VI: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
And now, another composer who died too young. Giovanni Pergolesi died at 26, but his music was truly mature and sublime. Deeply influential both in his time and in later centuries, Pergolesi was a major influence on composers from J.S. Bach (who was 25 when Pergolesi was born) to Stravinsky. Bach famously incorporated Pergolesi’s Sabat … Continue reading Baroque Music VI: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Baroque Music V: Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
When we think of the great musical families in history, Strauss and Bach loom large. But one of the earliest family dynasties in music history arose in Naples during the middle Baroque Period: the Scarlattis. While Domenico Scarlatti's fame would eventually exceed that of his pater familias, I would argue that Alessandro remains one of … Continue reading Baroque Music V: Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Purcell and Opera
For me, Purcell is all about opera. Finally, at the close of the 17th century, we finally get a composer who can rival Monteverdi in presenting searing emotion in song. Here are two of Purcell's more famous arias, performed by two great contemporary mezzo-sopranos, Susan Graham and Anne Sophie von Otter: Henry Purcell, Dido and … Continue reading Purcell and Opera
A Gertus History of Music 