A Great Loss to the Musical World

The Classical Music Community grieves the loss of this great conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich.

Mstislav Rostropovich, a cellist and conductor who was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in Russia during the final decades of the Cold War, died in Moscow today. He was 80 and lived in Paris, with homes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London and Lausanne, Switzerland.

Here is a video of Rostropovich performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major.

What Keeps Me Busy Nowadays

I love political blogging! It's hard to stay away from this pleasant pastime, but, alas, I must work diligently on what is decidedly my first interest - Music. This self imposed exile must last for at least a month (although I may slip an article in here over this time period).

Right now I'm analyzing Beethoven's First Symphony, finishing a paper, and preparing for both my recital AND my oral exams. It keeps me busy.

Here is the divine First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21, by Ludwig von Beethoven
Directed by Herbert von Karajan


I must add this visualization of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! Let the kids see this and see if they can find the subject of the fugue. It has a specific shape and can be seen in inversion (upside down) and retrograde inversion (upside down and backwards!!!)

I found it!!

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 BWV1047,
Allegro Moderato
Performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra on period instruments!

/I breathe a sigh of relief!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1E4_imS0A

Alas.....frustration!

I have an analysis assignment due on Wednesday, and I cannot find a recording for the music! We are analyzing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2.

Well, if I cannot find it here or online, I will have to find it at the library.......and tomorrow is another busy day.