(January 2020) Episode 248 of the “opus project” is PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY. Mr. Saccharine Strings. Tchaikovsky is the Queen (band) of classical composers: very talented, wildly popular, played often, but merely gives a sugar (plum) rush that turns out to be empty calories.
Favorite piece: 1812 Overture
Favorite symphony: #5
Favorite balletic theme: Swan Lake
Compared to expectations: ↓
(November 2019) Episode 240 is GUSTAV MAHLER. He composed only songs and symphonies but, wow, what symphonies. Each one is a full course meal with several helpings — like a final culmination of the recipe refined by Beethoven (including the vocal elements), or an opera of his idol Wagner condensed into 75 minutes (without the theatrics).
Favorite piece: Symphony #5
Compared to expectations: same
(September 2019) Episode 231 is ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK. Of the Romantic era but grounded in classical construction, Dvořák was an Everyman who succeeded in a number of forms. His compositions exude strength and confidence. I favor the symphonies; the most famous one (“New World”) is among the best all-time. A highlight is his integration of folk themes, through which he promoted national patriotism. Of noteworthy historical interest, the compositions that emerged from his time in the U.S. resulted in the reflection of African American and Native American music back onto American white society (who were not otherwise exposed in a segregated America).
Favorite piece: Symphony #9 (“New World”)
Favorite Chamber piece: String Quartet #12 (“American”)
Favorite folk adaptation: Slavonic Dances
Favorite small piece: Miniatures in G minor
Favorite overture: Carnival
Favorite opera: The Devil and Kate
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2019) Episode 215 of my “opus project” is FRANZ SCHUBERT. Arguably the most productive composer ever — more than 1,000 works even though he died at age 31 (this was a loooooong episode). The majority of these are secular songs (lieder), the genre for which he is probably the most famous, although they are not my cup of tea. Bridging the Classical and Romantic eras, he composed in pretty much every genre; I enjoyed his chamber music the most. But despite his genius and continued inclusion in contemporary repertoires, it is curious that few of his works endure in the public consciousness, with the obvious exception of Ave Maria and maybe the fish song.
Favorite piece: Symphony No. 9 (Great C major)
Favorite string quartet: No. 13, Rosamunde
Favorite quintet: Quintet in A major
Favorite large chamber piece: Wind Nonet “Franz Schuberts Begräbniß-Feyer”
Echoes of Beethoven’s 7th, 2nd movement: Eight Variations on an original theme in A♭ major for piano duet
Compared to expectations: same
(February 2019) I have completed episode 201 of my “opus project.” This edition: RICHARD WAGNER. Opera is my least favorite form in classical music, and since opera is Wagner’s specialty, this episode was a grind. But a greatest hits collection of his top overtures and preludes is worth having. The Tannhäuser Overture is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever.
Favorite piece: Tannhäuser Overture
Favorite opera (for the music): Parisfal
Compared to expectations: ↓
(December 2018) I have completed episode 194 of my “opus project.” This edition: FELIX MENDELSSOHN. Solid and dependable, you really can’t go wrong with some Mendelssohn. Lacking the personal life drama of other composers, his music won’t adorn a biopic, but he wrote some very famous stuff (ever heard the wedding march?). This side of Mozart and Schubert, he was quite prolific for someone who died in his 30s.
Favorite piece: Symphony #5 in D major/minor
Favorite piano concerto: #2 in D minor
Favorite violin concerto: #2 in E minor
Favorite chamber piece: String Quartet #6 in F minor
Favorite song (without words): “Spring Song”
Compared to expectations: same
(November 2018) I have completed episode 191 of my “opus project.” This edition: SERGEI RACHMANINOFF. Wow, could this guy put a hurt on a piano. I wonder whether they have to euthanize the piano after Piano Concerto #3 is played. But don’t discount his orchestral and chamber work too. I think of him as the last Romantic composer, capping the long, famous line of Russians in this tradition.
Favorite piece: Piano Concerto #3
Favorite symphony: #2
Favorite solo piano : Piano Sonata #2
Favorite choral piece: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Favorite song: Vocalise (wordless, with a melody that might have been taken by Paul Simon in Bridge Over Troubled Water)
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2018) I have completed episode 186 of my “opus project.” This edition: EDVARD GRIEG. In August we were in Bergen, Norway, hometown of Edvard Grieg, so I was delighted to start this episode there. Other than Peer Gynt, I was not so familiar with his work, but I was pleasantly surprised despite my relatively low interest in Romantic era classical music. Piano is his strong suit, and the array of arranged and original Norwegian songs shows how he helped inspire Norwegian patriotism (that led to independence in 1905).
Favorite piece: Peer Gynt
Favorite chamber piece: String Quartet in G minor
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2017) I have completed episode 141 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: ARNOLD SHOENBERG. In the first half of the 20th century, he developed new ways of thinking about and composing music — e.g. atonality, twelve-tone technique — that became highly influential and much debated. You won’t hear his work on classical radio stations, but it challenges the ear and mind, which is why I like it.
Favorite work: Serenade (Opus 24)
Favorite opera: Moses und Aron
Compared to expectations: ↑
(April 2015) I have completed phase 52 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete works. This episode: JOHANNES BRAHMS. My one word review: meh. I didn’t know much about Brahms going in, but since he’s in all the top 10 composer lists, I thought it would be worth it. It wasn’t. Rarely does something in his music reach out and grab you. Or me at least. Think I’ll stay away from the 19th century for a while.
Favorite piece: Symphony #3, I suppose.
Compared to expectations: ⇓
Opus Project 