The hottest Classical Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Music Topics

The Zakir Hussain Remembrance Edition

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎶 Music Classical Fusion Cultural Collaboration
  1. Zakir Hussain was a master of the tabla, a traditional Indian drum. He started learning at just three years old from his famous father, showing early talent.
  2. Hussain blended classical tabla music with modern influences and worked with big names like George Harrison and the Grateful Dead. He made the tabla more popular by bringing it to new audiences.
  3. His love for music started as a baby when his father sang tabla rhythms to him. This deep connection shaped his incredible career in music.

Prelude no. 1 in C major---music you should know by name

Disaffected Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Theory Instruments Performances
  1. Bach's Prelude no. 1 in C Major is a beautiful and well-known piece of music that many people recognize, even if they don't know its name.
  2. The piece is part of a collection called the Well-Tempered Clavier, which showcases different musical keys and tuning systems.
  3. You can hear similarities between Bach's Prelude and the song 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina', showing how classical music influences modern songs.

Christian Wolff

Dada Drummer Almanach • 86 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎶 Music Composition Performance Jazz Classical
  1. Music exists through performance, meaning it comes alive when played by musicians. The written score is important, but it doesn't define the music completely.
  2. Christian Wolff contributed to a style of music that allows performers to interpret and play it in different ways. This makes each performance unique.
  3. Wolff was part of the New York School of composers, which focused on new musical ideas and included famous figures like John Cage. Their work influenced how we think about music today.

Hermanos Gutiérrez

Flow State • 707 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎶 Music Instrumental Classical Folk
  1. Hermanos Gutiérrez are two guitar-playing brothers from Ecuador raised in Switzerland, influenced by a variety of music genres.
  2. Check out their albums: "Eternamente" from 2021 and "El Bueno Y El Malo" from last year.
  3. Enjoy their instrumental music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, and Tidal.

Hiromi

Flow State • 275 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music Composer Jazz Classical Performances
  1. Hiromi is a talented Japanese pianist, composer, and bandleader.
  2. She moved to the U.S. to study at Berklee and caught the attention of Ahmad Jamal.
  3. Check out her albums Spectrum and Duet for a mix of blues, jazz, pop, and classical music.
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Zakir

Get Down and Shruti • 14 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🎶 Music Classical Fusion Performance Collaboration Instruments
  1. Zakir Hussain was a master tabla player known for blending various music styles. He mixed Hindustani classical music with other genres like jazz and rock, creating a unique sound.
  2. His upbringing was unique because he received support from his family, including his mother and wife, to explore different musical paths. This openness allowed him to learn from diverse musical backgrounds and artists.
  3. Zakir's concerts were not just performances; they were experiences. He had a special way of connecting with audiences, making them feel engaged, whether he was playing solo or with other musicians.

Dianna Lucia Dragonetti: How Beautiful Are the Feet

Do Not Research • 219 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🎶 Music Classical
  1. The post discusses the performance of 'How Beautiful are the Feet' from Handel's Messiah at Trinity Lutheran church of Manhattan on May 14, 2023.
  2. The oratorio was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, and the post shares details about this English-language work.
  3. Dianna Lucia Dragonetti is mentioned in the post, possibly connected to the performance or the discussion about the composition.

1791 Mozart's Last Year. H. C. Robbins Landon

The Common Reader • 318 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎶 Music Classical Composers History
  1. Mozart was incredibly productive in his final year, composing a wide range of major works despite his young age and limited time.
  2. Vienna in 1791 was considered a musical paradise with wealthy households having their own orchestras, providing ample opportunities for composers like Mozart to thrive.
  3. Nobles and patrons played a crucial role in supporting composers like Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart during this era of plenty in the music world.

On Mahler

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Analysis History Influence
  1. Gustav Mahler's music feels unique because it's complex and doesn't fit into traditional categories of melody and harmony. His pieces blend several melodies together in a way that feels seamless.
  2. He composed music without being tied to the piano, using multiple staves instead. This means he imagined his music without testing it out, much like coding without running the program until it's done.
  3. Despite not having a large amount of music, Mahler's works are filled with deep emotions and beauty. His few compositions leave a lasting impact that few others can match.

Mikhail Glinka's Doubt

Variations on a Theme • 39 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical
  1. The song _Doubt_ by Mikhail Glinka was featured in a novella by Dostoevsky, creating a unique connection between literature and music.
  2. In Dostoevsky's novella _The Eternal Husband_ the story unfolds in a complex web of relationships and hidden letters, leading to comedic situations.
  3. The arrangement of _Doubt_ for a cello quartet is accessible to intermediate to advanced players, offering a nice musical challenge.

Music for stillness

Silentium • 159 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music Instrumental Classical
  1. The post is about music for stillness and an invitation to silence.
  2. The featured music is Arvo Pärt's Symphony No. 4 'Los Angeles', which is described as being touched by the Divine in every note.
  3. Readers can keep exploring by starting a 7-day free trial on Silentium's website.

You're Gonna Die Too, Friend

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Literature Analysis Ancient Classical
  1. Book 21 of the Iliad presents chaotic and intense battle scenes that highlight the brevity of human life and the themes of mortality, violence, and heroism.
  2. Achilles' memorable speech to Lykaon reflects his nihilistic acceptance of fate and mortality, showcasing a transition in his grief from mourning to a thirst for vengeance.
  3. The language used in Achilles' speech also delves into the symbolism of the heroic body, emphasizing the inevitability of death even for heroes with perfect physical forms.

Music in a Barn

The Analog Family • 139 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🎶 Music Classical Performance Culture Tradition Events
  1. Performing Handel's 'Messiah' in a barn creates a unique and memorable experience. The mix of classical music with the sounds of animals adds a fun twist to the concert.
  2. The Christkindl Market features traditional German holiday foods and crafts, making it a charming place for families to enjoy Christmas together. It's a community-focused event that feels authentic and uncommercialized.
  3. Despite the chilly conditions and rustic setting, the atmosphere of the barn concert is magical. The audience leaves feeling uplifted and connected to the holiday spirit.

Fantastic Builders and Where to Find Them, 4th Installment

Building the Builders • 11 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🎶 Music Classical History Artists Composers Therapy
  1. Sergei Rachmaninoff overcame a deep depression, which lasted three years, after a failed performance of his first symphony. His struggle inspired him to create his famous 2nd piano concerto.
  2. Rachmaninoff dedicated his 2nd piano concerto to his therapist, Dr. Nikolai Dahl, who helped him regain confidence through supportive therapy and hypnosis.
  3. Rachmaninoff's experience shows that personal challenges can lead to great achievements. Instead of being stuck in self-doubt, he learned to move forward and create music he loved.

Racism and Reckoning in Classical Music

Variations on a Theme • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎶 Music Classical Racism Art Culture History
  1. Classical music industry faces financial challenges and struggles post COVID-19 shutdowns, impacting organizations nationwide.
  2. Issues of racism in classical music industry raised by scholars and media, impacting musicology programs and leading to controversial discussions on composers' legacies.
  3. Classical music institutions are grappling with maintaining tradition while adapting to popular culture demands, facing challenges in attracting audiences and dealing with internal controversies.

Did Bach Improvise?

Curiosity Sink__ • 2 HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎶 Music Classical Improvisation Education Artistry History
  1. Classical composers like Bach and Beethoven were known to heavily improvise, showcasing a skill akin to jazz improvisation, indicating a long history of improvisation in music.
  2. The invention of written notation wasn't to restrict music to rigid interpretations, but to preserve and transmit musical ideas when recordings were unavailable, highlighting the evolution of music preservation.
  3. Encouraging improvisation over classical compositions can bring new life to old melodies, allowing for personal expression, creativity, and the creation of unique musical interpretations.

Cello Sonatas

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎶 Music Classical
  1. The cello sonatas are arranged by difficulty level, from Level I to Level XII, with Level IX featuring commonly played pieces like Beethoven's Sonatina in D minor.
  2. Each difficulty level includes a variety of sonatas from different composers, offering a diverse selection for cellists to explore and practice.
  3. Cellists can progress through the difficulty levels to challenge themselves with more complex and nuanced sonatas, and explore a wide range of musical styles and techniques.

Unaccompanied Cello

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎶 Music Classical
  1. Unaccompanied cello pieces are arranged by difficulty levels from I to XII.
  2. Famous composers like Bach, Gabrieli, and Britten have pieces featured in the higher difficulty levels.
  3. Solo cello compositions range from classical suites by Bach to contemporary works by composers like Penderecki and Ginastera.

Greensleeves (What Child is This)

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎶 Music Classical Christmas History
  1. Greensleeves, also known as 'What Child is This,' is a traditional English song from the 16th century associated with Christmas.
  2. The song has an interesting history, with its lyrics tying to the idea of Lady Green Sleeves, and it was associated with Christmas as far back as 1686.
  3. Different lyrics variations are connected to the song, with one popular version being William Chatterton Dix's 'What Child Is This.'

Cello Solo with Piano Arrangement

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎶 Music Instruments Classical
  1. This post provides a list of cello solos with piano arrangements categorized by difficulty levels I to II.
  2. The difficulty levels range from beginner pieces like Bach and Schirmer, to more advanced works by Bartok and Carl Fischer.
  3. The Suzuki Cello School series offers a progressive learning path for cellists from basic to advanced levels.

A Quartet of Musical-Movies (Ch. 15)

Ink-uilab • 0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎶 Music Classical Film Literature Verse
  1. The newsletter highlights the beauty of Hindustani Classical Music through four different films.
  2. Physician-writers have made significant contributions to literature, blending their medical knowledge with their artistic endeavors.
  3. Authors like Atul Gawande and Siddhartha Mukherjee have used their medical experiences to write non-fiction books.

Hello Gold Mountain | The Philadelphia Orchestra

Wu Fei's Music Daily • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎶 Music Classical Concert Composition
  1. The Philadelphia Orchestra is performing Wu Fei's orchestral composition Hello Gold Mountain to celebrate their historical trip to China in 1973.
  2. Alison Friedman highlights the difference between propaganda and art in a recent interview, emphasizing the emotional journey of art.
  3. Wu Fei is busy with preparations for the concert, including panel discussions, master classes, and podcast recordings leading up to the event on Sep. 21.

Cello Show Pieces

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎶 Music Classical
  1. Cello show pieces are organized by difficulty levels, from I to XII, with a variety of composers and compositions.
  2. Pieces like 'Song of the Birds' by Casals, 'Fantasy Pieces' by Schumann, and 'The Swan' by Saint-Saens are recommended for advanced players in Levels V to IX.
  3. The highest difficulty levels (X to XII) feature challenging works like 'Introduction and Polonaise Brillante' by Chopin and 'Pezzo Capriccioso' by Tchaikovsky.