Thursday, March 31

My favorite composers and their pieces I highly recommend:

J.S. Bach , Toccata in D Minor – Is there a better organ solo?

Mozart, Le Nozze Di Figaro -  Saw a great performance of the Marriage of Figaro at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis.

               Beethoven, Ode to Joy – The chorus in his ninth symphony is as uplifting as Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

               Vivaldi, The Four Seasons – Three sections for each season for a total of twelve.  Love the calendar like symmetry.

               Debussy, Clair De Lune – mathematical perfection

               J. Straus II, An Der Schonen Blauen Donau – As featured in the theme to 2001, A Space Odyssey, the Berlin Philharmonic with Herbert Von Karajan recording.

               Schubert, Ave Maria – very spiritual

               Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man, Appalachian Spring and Rodeo: Hoe-Down – I cannot think of a more American sound.

               Bernstein, West Side Story – Was stage manager for the University of Michigan production in 1982.

               Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue – I cannot think of a more New York sound.  Woody Allen’s Manhattan filmed in black and white was a tribute to New York and Gershwin’s music.  It came out right after Annie Hall and completed the three film series that included, Play It Again Sam.