Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Usually I have sought to bring you lesser-known items from the various artists I post here. However, it was almost impossible to find any of Verdi's works that were not likely to be known... and were not full-length. Another piece of Verdi music here that you will almost certainly have heard at some point in life. This is from Il Trovatore, and one wonders how much training was required to play the anvils! 

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Verdi wrote so many wonderful operas. Rigoletto is a popular one, and this wee ditty from it is one of the most famous of his 'tunes'. I am including it because it brings back memories from Sydney... although the three tenors only performed together in Melbourne, Pavarotti visited Sydney four times. I was working for Playbill in 1991 and got to help out with the merchandising at the venue (you wouldn't believe the number of large white kerchiefs we sold!)... but then, the big perk: getting to sit and watch him perform. You don't forget things like that! This is fitting because he, too, was born in October...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

For this month's birthday composer, I have chosen one of my absolute, all-time favourites... Giuseppe Verdi. Even if you think you don't know his work, you probably do. A bit like Mozart, his works are played in all sorts of varieties and in some peculiar places, so even if you don't know the name (although - why not?!), you will almost certainly find some of the music familiar. 

I first became aware of Verdi's choral works when exercising my singing prowess in a couple of different choirs and amateur dramatics. Believe it or not, I've sung the aria you are about to hear! Those were the days, and my vocal cords would be well-challenged now. Cheers!

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

It's "fifth wheel" time once more, and today Joni has picked a gentle piece by Władysław Szpilman. He is the 20th-century pianist and composer who was the subject of the film, The Pianist.

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Capping off our mini Holst fest, here is the longest of the choices, but also the earliest work, coming a full 15 years before The Planets... it is not as rounded and satisfying as the later work, but is still unmistakably Holst.

Now, do you think I got through an evening of researching items for this little bloggy without being offered up all sorts of renditions - or sections of - The Planets Suite? And do you think I could resist? Tsk... is the moon green cheese.... Anyway, the algorithm threw me an item I think you would all enjoy. BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with Prof Brian Cox giving narration and a 21st-century perspective on the music. Go on, do yourselves a favour!

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

For the third Holst lesser-known items, I bring you the St Paul's Suite. This has the opus number of 29. The Planets was Opus 32... and in this one you can definitely hear the precursor to that later work. Some frenetic, dancing parts, light and dark, softness to still the whole piece, then back to full majesty... and always that underlying lyrical pull...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

The second in this miniseries on Holst's 'other works' brings you a military piece that definitely carries some of the quality found in The Planets. If you know that work as well as I do, I'm sure you will pick up those motifs and musical signatures. Add to it that this performance by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra is positively sublime, and I am certain you will enjoy these ten minutes. Each player seems fully invested in their part, and the conductor is proud and trusting of his musicians. 

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

A September baby who has long been one of my favourite composers is Gustav Holst. He was a third-generation Briton, his grandfather having migrated there from St Petersburg in the 18th Century. The paternal family was of mixed Swedish, Latvian and German ancestry, and on the maternal, principally English. When I was 11 and showing a strong interest in classical music, I was given my first-ever LP for my birthday... The Planets! I still have the disc, though nothing to play it on. Oh my word, how tempting it was to give you four movements from that incredible suite. 

But NO! Without doubt, that was his masterpiece, but Holst wrote lots of other music, all of easy listening and unchallenging to the ear. This could be taken as being a bit "muzak", and, perhaps, that's true. Nevertheless, it is that very inoffensiveness, the lyrical and undemanding quality, that can make these pieces worth having on one's playlists. Great for working to, like knitting, editing photos, writing blog posts........... Let's start with the shortest of my four choices for the month. A bittersweet love song. Watch how the different parts are providing offset lyrics, and only occasionally are all four voices in verbal unison.

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

In a way, I am saving the best till last... for here we can listen to Erwin Schulhoff himself! Yes, recordings of him at the piano have survived and make for very interesting listening. If this bit I share today teases your ears for more, then hop on over to this listing for more!

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

This week's offering from Erwin Schulhoff is part of his string quartets collection. In this case, a 'Czeca', one of the five dances. It is lively and will definitely get the blood flowing! Again, if you would like to listen to a more complete selection of the string quartets, you can click to the listing here.

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Last week, you were introduced to a jazz piece by Erwin Schulhoff. I didn't share much about the composer, and won't say much here, but offer a link to this fine article which gives a full biography. 

There is no doubt that some of the items I have listened to in deciding what to share with you this month have been challenging to the ear (and musical intellect), but there are lots of gems, and, gradually, I have come to appreciate the style of this little-known composer. Here is a cheeky little Gavotte to entertain you today... and if you like the violin sonata format, you can listen to more of these on this listing.

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Although there are not five Wednesdays in August, I am going to start with another guest piece chosen by Joni. Some 1920's classical jazz. It was to be part of the "fifth wheel" series, but there were only four months with five Wednesdays this year! So this was a "spare wheel" 😁 It also triggered a little deeper search on my part on this composer, so he is going to be showcased this month.

I admit that jazz is far from being my first choice in listening, certainly not for relaxing. However, I appreciate the musicality of it, and when it is of concert quality like this, then I give it due deference. The first item on the list is definitely challenging, but after a minute or so, it drops into "Blues" and then a lush "Tango" influenced piece... give it a go and tell me, yes or no?

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Our second offering for the "fifth wheel" guest occasional series from Joni. The Poiesis Quartet were the eventual winners of the Banff competition, and their final concert was sublime (I cannot recommend it highly enough!) On the way up, though, like all other contestants, they had to go through the curated pieces by which they could all be measured. Here is one such piece...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Completing the little foray into the works of Leoš Janáček, we have a short but very sweet piece, again with violin and piano. 

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Continuing our mini-season of the works of Janáček, today's item is a duet that shows his inclination to experimentation with pre-existing forms, yet retaining a strong classical connection...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

This week's offering is a little more challenging to the ear, but still very lyrical. Listen for the instruments talking to each other, asking and responding...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Okay, I've decided that I will still use birthday months as a prompt, but pick one composer, then provide several different pieces to enjoy. The composer will be one that I probably don't listen to a lot myself, so it will be a good exercise for my ears and brain to sort out what to include! 

For July, the pick is Leoš Janáček. Although quite a well-known name, I rather think I may have been exposed to some of his more avant-garde items earlier in life, which coloured my view and I have, perhaps, avoided him since. It was, therefore, rather a joy to curate this month's offerings for your delectation. Let us begin with an item that falls well into the general listening category and is not at all difficult...

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

The last of our birthday composers (for now, at least) is Alois Haba, born on the 21st of June, 1893, in Vizovice, Czech Republic. His is of the early Modern classification of musical styles; still lyrical, but displaying that more explorative (eccentric?) tendency of the Modern era. I enjoy things that demand my full attention in listening... how about you?

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Next off the line of June composers is Joseph Martin Kraus, born on the 20th of June, 1756, in Miltenberg, Germany. His style falls, then, into the true Classical category... think the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. Personally, I feel a little towards the Classical period a bit like I do about contemporary "pop" music. It absolutely has its place, but I very much pick and choose and need to be in the mood! This short item gives you a taste of the rather florid style of this composer. How about you? Does it inspire you to go find more?

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Another name that had previously escaped my notice (though I wonder how, because I've loved everything I've listened to in searching for a share here!) is that of José António Carlos de Seixas (commonly referred to simply as Carlos Seixas), born on the 11th of June, 1704, in Coimbra, Portugal. I'm definitely adding this fellow to my playlists! So delicious were some of the very short pieces discovered, I am giving you two... first a regular harpsichord item, followed by a keyboard item transcribed for guitar, and a rollicking piece it is... what say you - are you a lover of the Baroque?