Classical Music: where to start ? Part 7

27th April 2026

Chopin’s heart in the Church of the Holy Cross, Warsaw.

Going back to the Renaissance, Josquin des Prez (1450s – 1521) was born in either modern day Belgium or northeast France. Nymphes des Bois is a five-part vocal pieces, regarded as a lament for a former composer, Jehan Ockeghem.

Now one of the most famous Classical pieces, the Canon in D. To make this a little more interesting, I’ve chosen a version performed solely by brass instruments.

A great composer, and a great artist, Rubinstein’s version of Chopin’s (Poland 1810 – 1849) famous Nocturne Op 9 No 2.

Chopin left Poland when he was 20, and spend the rest of his short life in Paris. However, he requested that his heart be returned to Poland after his death, and it is today in the Church of the Holy Cross, in Warsaw.

Another famous artist, Chloe Chua, who is still under 20 [born in 2007]. Born in Singapore but currently based in Berlin, Chloe plays the third movement from Max Bruch’s (Germany 1838 – 1920) Violin Concerto No 1.

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Classical Music: where to start ? Part 6

19th April 2026

Carnegie Hall, New York, considered the first classical venue in the ‘New World’

To start, a beautiful piece performed by a beautiful artist. Maurice Ravel’s (France 1875 – 1937) solo piano piece is from 1899.

From France to Spain, a composition by Joaquín Rodrigo (Spain 1901 – 1999). Here, Flamenco legend Paco de Lucía performs this exemplary guitar concerto.

“Let no one sleep” is the translation of ‘Nessun Dorma!‘, an aria from Giacomo Puccini’s (Italy 1858 – 1924) opera ‘Turandot‘. As with Mozart’s Requiem, Turandot was unfinished at the time of the composer’s death.

Now we leave Europe, the Old World, with Antonín Dvořák (Czech 1841 – 1904) for the 4th Movement of his 9th Symphony, written in New York, 1893.

Classical Music: where to start ? Part 5

5th April 2026

Some Renaissance flute music to start, from Erasmus Widmann (Germany 1572 – 1634). I know very little about this composer, I discovered him serendipitously whilst searching for some Mediaeval music. Helena is from a collection of Galliards (lively dances).

Now to the ballet, and Sergei Prokofiev (Russia 1891 – 1953) with his iconic Dance of the Knights.

Gregorio Allegri (Italy 1582 – 1652) composed his Miserere circa 1638, and legend states that it was performed exclusively at the Sistine Chapel, and then only during Holy Week (in April). Now, this has been refuted, other copies were available outside the Vatican, and other performances took place, even in London.

A further legend has it that a young Mozart heard the piece once, possibly twice, and transcribed the entire work, note perfect. Again, this is questioned by historians but it remains a wonderful story and, as the film says, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” [1]

Gustav Mahler (Austro-Bohemia 1860 – 1911) mostly wrote symphonies, and song-cycles. His symphonies are often large-scale; his 8th Symphony had over 1 000 performers on its premiere.

The famous Adagietto is delicate, mystical and hauntingly beautiful. As mentioned in the previous blog, I hear a distinct influence from Beethoven’s final String Quartet in F Major Op 135.

[1] From the John Ford film ‘The Man who Shot Liberty Valance’ 1962.