Classical Music
Mozart’s Requiem
December 2022 The time seems right to write about Mozart`s Requiem, as there have been several performances recently and some discussion. A Requiem Mass in Catholicism is a Mass in honour of the dead. Mozart was very depressed at the time of writing it, partly because he thought it was heralding his own death and…
Handle’s “The Messiah”, arranged Mozart
From a talk to the University of the Third Age on Baroque music Mozart was a great admirer of Handel. Mozart’s reason for arranging of Handel’s Messiah was not because he thought he could improve on Mozart, but because, 50 years later, Handel’s music was out of fashion and Mozart was attempting to arrange it…
More On Cellos And Gambas
SOME INFORMATION ON ‘CELLOS AND GAMBAS’ AND A NOTE ON THEIR USE From feedback received I can see I need to explain a bit more. Both instruments function as providing the bass for the higher pitched string instruments The ‘Cello is a stringed instrument belonging to the violin family and is bass of that family.…
Handel’s Messiah And Mozarts Version
When I first heard that Mozart had created a version of The Messiah I was very surprised. But it is correct and I was filled with curiosity to find out about it. I am a person of great curiosity. Some people say I am also a curious person but don’t know whether to take that…
The Lost St. Mark Passion Ybachand How It May Be Re-Constructed
An interesting musical detective story In music, a PASSION is an Oratorio about the capture, torture, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Two of Bach’s finest works are John and Matthew Passions (Remember it is not St Matthew’s passion but “The Passion of our Lord” according to St Matthew.) Critical opinion that these two Passions along…