The classical music blog

 -Grimaldi Harpsichord- -This instrument was made by Carlo Grimaldi, Messina, Sicily in 1697.  The outer lid is covered in gold leaf with a pattern in black paint.  Also, It has this incredible carved and gilt stand. The original instrument has a note range of 4 octaves, from GG-c'''.  In addition, the keyboard naturals are with ebony topped accidentals. Finally, This instrument has a powerful rich sound with beautiful strong bass, so it perpects for basso continuo as well as the italian solo reportory or a room for concert.  Also, In the recent era, harpsichord makers add note ranges to GG-d". References:  https://www.gb.early-keyboard.com/Grimaldi.htm

 -Italian harpsichord, c. 1620 in Russell, Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments, Edinburgh- The city or region where an anonymous instrument was made can be determined by analysing the size of measurement unit.  Until Napoleon invaded to the Italian Peninsula, the major cities in Italy used its own measurement units, and the size of these units was varied from place to place. Thus, the braccio, piede, canna, palmo, etc. And their subdivision into the oncia, soldo or pollice were the characteristic of the major areas where instrument and all other items were built. So if one can determine the unit of measurement which was used in the design and construction of instrument, one can know the origin of the main areas through these units. According to a number of reference works on metrology, the palmo, had a length of 261.01 mm, was divided into 12 units, it's resulted in 21.835mm.  Other length of the canna, was 2096.10mm, was divided into 96 units so that these two resul...

 - Piano Trio No.38 in D major, Hob. Xv:24 (Haydn)- This Concerto was written in 1795. During Haydn's second trip to London, one of a set of three (H. XV:24-26) dedicated to Haydn's friend, the widow Rebecca Schroeter. According to Robert Philip, this work is unusual compared with other later piano trios in that it is serious in tone throughout, "with almost Beethoven-like earnestness".  The style of piano writing, with the rich chords, octaves in the bass and lively elaboration in the right hand, was much influenced by the sonorous while Haydn was in London. Structure The trio has three movements. 1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Allegro, ma non dolce The first movement is a large scale movement that is full of dramatic pauses, changes of mood and unexpected accents.   Also, The second is a brief and solemn dance, based around an insistent Baroque style dotted rhythm figure. It leads into the finale without a break. The finale is a grave minuet like movement with the triple...

 -Piano Concerto No.2 in G major, Op.44, Tchaikovsky - The Piano Concerto was written in 1879-1880, and dedicated to Nikolai Rubistein.  However, Rubistein never played the work, as he died in March 1881, and the work has never attained much popularity. The premiere performance took place in New York City, on 12 November 1881, and the soloist was Madeline Schiller, and Theodore Thomas conducted the work at the New York Philharmonic orchestra.  The first Russian performance was in Moscow in May 1882. Instruments The work is played in Flutes, oboes, clarinet, horns, trumpets, and solo piano. By 1879, the first Piano Concerto was becoming increasingly popular in the Western. Movements: The movements of The piano concerto is in three. - 1.Allegro /2. Andante non troppo (in D major) /3. Allegro con fuoco / The second movement contains prominent solos for the Violin, and Cello, making the work in effect concerto for piano trio and orchestra,  In late 1800 and early 1900 Er...

 -The String Quartet No.14 in D minor, D 810, Schubert- The String Quartet, known as Death and the Maiden, is a work by Franz Schubert who has been called "one of the pillars of the chamber music reportoire". It was composed in 1824, and after composer suffered from a serious illness and he died. The Quartet was first played in 1826 in a private home, and was not published until 1831, three years after Schubert's death. His composition life In fact, 1823 and 1824 were hard years for Schubert. In addition, in 1823, he was very sick, and he had to be hospitalized by his serious disease in May, but he was without money to go to the Hospital or to publish many works.  Nevertheless, however, despite his bad health and poverty, and depression, Schubert continued to turn out the tuneful and light, and beautiful music in Vienna. Inspiration The Quartet takes its name from the Lied "Der Tod und Das Mätchen", D 531, a setting of the poem of same name by Mattias Cladius, ...

 -Piano Concerto No.5 in D major, K. 175- The Concerto was composed and written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1773 at the age of 17. It's Mozart's first original piano concerto, and his previous efforts were based on works by other composers.  In 1782, he revised the sheets and composed a new Rondo which is adding a Flute to the instrumentation (K. 382). 2.Instrumentation The work is played for 2 oboes, 2 horns, 2 trumpets in D major, and timpani and strings were the only Concerto with trumpets and timpani until No.10, K.365.  3.Movements  The structures of this work has three movements - Allegro / Andante ma un poco adagio (in G major) / Rondo: Allegro This Concerto was a favorite of Mozart's letters.  In addition, The autograph manuscript, which was last reported to be in the possession of F.A. Grassnick in 1862, is now lost. Link: Piano Concerto No.5 in D major, K. 175, Mozart References:  1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No._5_(Mozart) 2....

 -The string quartet No.14 in G major, K. 387- The Concerto was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1782 in Vienna.  In the composer of inscription and autograph was written and edited in 1782-1783. Also, This is the first work in Haydn's six String quartets, and he wrote during few years in Vienna and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. Movements Average performances of the whole string quartet vary in length from 26-33 minutes. As the later Mozart's string quartet works, this quartet has four movements - Allegro vivace Assai / Menuetto / Andante cantabile / Molto Allegro  First, The first movement, in G major, contrasts fairly diatonic passages with chromatic runs.  Second, The minuet is followed by slow movements in subdominant C major. The fugal theme of four whole notes in final points ahead to the finale of Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony of 1788" Link:  The String Quartet No.14 in G major, K 387, Mozart Reference: 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._1...

 -Violin Concerto No.4 in D major, K.218, Mozart- This Concerto was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775 in Salzburg. The autograph of this work is preserved in the Jagiellonian Library, Krakow. In fact, Mozart was a Violinist who had reasonable skills, and each of his five Violin concerto was originally composed for his own work.   However, when Mozart relinquished his position with court orchestra, he revised and updating his works. In conclusion, The concerto was played by Mozart for a violin, oboes, horns. 2.Structure The Concerto has the usual fast-slow-fast tempo around 23 minuets. The movements has three - 1. Allegro /2. Andante cantabile (A major) / 3. Rondeau (Andante grazioso - Allegro ma non troppo). Opening of the first movement, Allegro is featuring a march rhythm and a bugle-like gesture. Link:  Violin Concerto No.4 in D major, K.218, Mozart Reference: 1.https://www.allmusic.com/composition/mc0002382564 2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_...

 -The Violin concerto No.3 in G major, K.216- 1. Basic Explaination: The Concerto was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg between April and December in 1775 when he worked in Church. Like to other works, this last work of five groups abstains luxurious piece as circus.  Also, in this concerto, the sole part is formed the prohibited and restricted skill in the artwork.  Nevertheless, This work offered sufficient opportunity that lights to musician as Violinist. Thus, he called it the "Strasbourg Concert" to his father. 2.Instrumentation: This work is played for solo Violin, two flutes (second movement only), two oboes (tacet in second movements), two horns in G and D major, strings. 3. Movements The movements of the work is in three movements - 1.Allegro /2.Adagio in D major / 3 .Rondeau: Allegro. First, Allegro is in Sonata form, and opening in G major theme that's played by the Orchestra, and the first movement wasn't completely written.  Second, The Ada...

 -The Divertimento in G major, Hob XVI/8, L.1- This Divertimento was written in 1766 by Joseph Haydn. The keyboard Divertimento resembles the Sonata, but its purpose was more for entertainment.  Haydn's Divertimentos tend to have three movements in a quick-slow-quick form, but the 18th Century Divertimento can have up to nine movements.  The opening and closing Allegro movements are usually in Sonata form and gallant.  Also, On December 6, 1766, Haydn references six new Divertimenti that he had composed to the Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. The work has four movements. - 1. Allegro /2. Minuets /3. Andante /4. Allegro Link:  The Divertimento in G major Hob.XVI/8, L.1 It's originally played on harpsichord. The first movement is Sonata form in 2/4 time with pattern with tonic to dominant.  The second movement is a minuet without trio, in standard 3/4 time.  The third movements is short, 9 measure andante.  The Allegro finale is in 3/8 time and is 24 meas...

 -The piano Sonata in D major Hob XVI/33, L.34- This sonata was written in possibly 1777 by Joseph Haydn. The first Sonata was first officially published in London in 1783, but copies of this work had been circulating for several years earlier. In addition, Haydn's the early Keyboard sonatas are scored for either harpsichord or fortepiano. After 1770 show about dynamic and timbral on the fortepiano, finally, The keyboard Sonatas were written. Three movements of the work is in Allegro / Adagio (D minor) / Menuet. The first movement is in 2/4 time and 193 measures in length. It opens with arpeggios, and it used of double notes, octaves, etc.  The second movement is in D minor in 3/4 time and 52 measures. In finale, The last movement is fragmentary. Link: The piano Sonata in d major Hob.XVI/33, L.34 Reference 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_Hob._XVI/33

 -The Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042, Bach- This Concerto was composed and written by J.S. Bach in 1717 - 1723. It's based on the three movements, and Bach based the work on the Venetian Concerto model.  However, his own works has some un-Italian form of the music. For example, The Allegro, is a first part, was given an A-B-A structure.  Like in many of Bach's works, arias, the soloist frees himself from the Ensemble "before his turn" . The structure of this Concerto is three movements - 1. Allegro /2.Adagio /3.Allegro Assai. For example, Allegro from is in E major and in ritornello form. Second, Adagio is based on C-sharp minor with a ground bass.  In finally, Allegro assai is in E major with an overall structure of Rondo. While there are two 18th Century scores, but autographs of this work aren't existing.  However, J.S. Bach reused the Concerto for his harpsichord Concerto in D major, BWV 1054. Link:  The Violin concerto in E major, BWV 1042 Refere...

 -Keyboard Concerto No.11 in D Major- It was written between 1780 and 1783, and it was published in 1784. As Haydn’s last keyboard Concerto, the solo part is originally played and listed in 1782-1784 as for harpsichord and fortepiano. However, This Concerto is more similar to Mozart’s piano Concerto works than Haydn’s piano Concerto works because it’s later composition. In addition, Mozart acknowledged the important role of Haydn in development of music, in correspondence, often referred to him as “Papa Haydn”. The form and structure of this Concerto is three structure – Vivace / Un poco adagio / Rondo all’Ungarese. The first and second movement contain cadenzas.Vivace movement contain “tutti”, In Un poco adagio, the movement is changed to A Major. On the other hand, The playful finale is pure. References: Keyboard Concerto No.11 in D Major, Haydn