Tag: Classical Music guide

Classical Music: where to start ? Part 3

22nd March 2026

Bachhaus Eisenach, Germany

Starting with a titan of Classical Music – Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany 1685 – 1750).

From such a wide and canonical repertoire, I’ve selected something a little different; a sonata extract but played on a traditional Swedish instrument, the nyckelharpa. Andante indicates a moderate tempo, a walking pace.

The next selection is the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, a one-act opera, a contrast to Wagner’s gargantuan musical dramas. Pietro Mascagni (Italy 1863 – 1945) composed this major work in 1890.

Zbigniew Preisner (Poland born 1955) is closely associated with Polish film director Krysztof Kieślowski for whom he composed several soundtracks (notably the ‘Three Colours’ trilogy).

Requiem for my Friend from 1998 is a tribute to the director.

The first time I heard our final selection, I thought it was from a film soundtrack, possibly a Michael Nyman piece. I was therefore very surprised to discover that it was 200 years old.

The Piano Trio No. 2 was one of Franz Schubert’s (Germany 1797 – 1828) last compositions. I’ve selected the second movement, another Andante, inspired by a traditional Swedish folk song.

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Classical Music: where to start ? Part 2

15th March 2026

The Vienna State Opera

Part Two starts with a guitar transcription of a piano suite by Enrique Granados (Spain 1867 – 1916), Spanish Dances, Number 2 ‘Oriental’ Op 37.

I usually hear this played by two guitarists, but I was very impressed by this solo performance by Sawa Yamamoto.

The second piece is a sinfonia, an instrumental introduction to an opera or oratorio. The composer is the German-born George Fridrick Handel (1685 – 1759), who became a naturalised British subject.

Vespers are evening prayers, held at sunset. One of my favourites is from Sergei Rachmaninoff (Russia 1873 – 1943). Here we have number VII Hexapsalmos from his Vespers Op 37.

Listening to a whole symphony can be a tad challenging, so here is one short section from Brahms (Germany 1833 – 1897), the third movement from his 3rd Symphony

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.