Victor Alexeeff began his conservatory studies at the age of 7 in Toronto. He showed great promise as a young pianist, having begun lessons at the age of 4, encouraged by his grandfather. At the age of 9, he appeared on the album "A Tribute to Walt Disney", and throughout his studies he appeared on numerous television and radio programmes. He received numerous scholarships as a student. He is renowned for his performances of works by Chopin and Prokofieff. As well as completing formal piano studies and developing his reputation as a pianist, Victor explored and developed other interests and skills, which became integrated within his eclectic musical career. A major part of this is composition; he composes for film, television, and other outlets - his credits include such diverse projects as scoring for "Criminal Minds" and creating the music for a 700m tunnel at the Detroit International Airport . He has also performed experimental and rock music, and is a music producer. Recently, he has released a new album: "Classics Unleashed". This album explores what the music of Bach, Vivaldi, and Beethoven might have sounded like were they composing in the 21st century with digital elements at their fingertips. Using modern technology, Victor reimagines the great works of these legendary composers. Victor's compositions: Prelude in C Minor, BWV 847: Allegro by J. S. Bach (reimagined) Symphony No. 7, Op. 92: II. Allegretto by Ludwig van Beethoven (reimagined) Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Victor's top 5 classical music works: Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Holst: The Planets Debussy: La Mer Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto #3 Prokofieff: Piano Concerto #2 Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Welcome back to guest writer AleahFlute/Aleah Fitzwater! In her last post, Aleah introduced us to "7 Strange Classical Composers". This time, learn about the music of the Balkan region of Europe - an area with many cultural, religious, and historic influences. While each country has its own unique culture, the shared historical experiences of the people in the region mean that they also have some shared elements. The stamp of Balkan folk/traditional music customs can be found in the art music (classical music) and contemporary music works of the Balkan countries and beyond! About Hey there! My name is Aleah Fitzwater. I am a classical flutist and music teacher gone rogue. I used to teach music in the public schools. I’m still a classical cat, but now I write blogs about niche music topics like weird composers and music digitising. I also arrange and record classical flute versions of alternative/pop songs, like those by Linkin Park and Panic! at the Disco. Today I am going to teach you a little bit about the music of the Balkans. I recently discovered that one of my grandparents had Balkan ancestry. This wasn’t much of a surprise, though, because he was adopted into the family. Additionally, because of the war on Ukraine, I thought it would be interesting to delve into some of the music of South-eastern Europe. Let’s go! The Balkans The Balkans are a group of countries which lie on a peninsula, together bordering Italy, Ukraine, and Hungary. According to Britannica.com, not everyone agrees on the exact components of the region, though many can agree that the Balkans do include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Historians also typically include Greece and parts of Turkey in the definition of the region (Britannia). The term “Balkan” is sometimes considered to be negative due to the area's turbulent history and the stereotypes that followed. Some experts say it is more acceptable to refer to this group of countries as “The Western Balkans” or “Southeastern Europe” (Ertan Munoglu). Others argue that the term “Balkan” is acceptable as it is, as long as you don’t insinuate it’s a separate entity from Europe. The Balkans are rich in culture, combining Greek, Finnish, Turkish, and Slavic heritages together. As far as religion goes, Islam and Catholicism are both prominent. You can hear a lot of Jewish and Armenian influences in the music of this region today. (IEmed/ Maria Djurdjevic) One thing that binds the Balkans together is the fact that these countries were all under the rule of the Ottoman empire at some point in time. Let’s delve into some of the folk instruments from this melting pot of a peninsula. Note: This article discusses general elements found in the music of the Balkan region. Some features are particular to certain countries and areas, and found less in others. Here is a summary of elements mentioned and some of the places where they can commonly be found (in the Balkans and beyond): Balkan Accordion - Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia Balkan Fiddle - Bulgaria (called the gadulka), Romania, Croatia Tamburica - Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary Gusle - Dinarides Region Cimbalom - Hungary, Romania, Greece, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia Darbuka - Albania, widely used across most of the Balkans Doumbek - Iraq, Iran, Greece, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey Giada/Balkan Bagpipe - Albania, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey Kaval - Albania, Romania, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, Armenia Balkan Brass/Truba - Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania Balkan Folk Instruments Accordions Bowed Strings and Lutes Hammer Dulcimers Doumbek and Darbuka Bagpipes Clarinets and End-Blown Flutes Brass Instruments Accordions One key feature of the Balkan style of the accordion is that it has a tone chamber. A tone chamber, or cassato, is a box that lengthens the path that the air takes inside of the instrument. The result is mellow and unique. In the context of a song, it sounds surprisingly like traditional Jewish music (Klezmer). Here is an example of an accordion being played in the Balkan style. Bowed Strings and Lutes Instruments from the bowed string and lute families used in this region include the mandolin, guitar, and fiddle. The Balkan fiddle is a violin-type instrument, but is a little different than what you may be familiar with. Rather than being composed of multiple pieces of wood, the instrument is often carved from a single large log, or even made from a gourd. The Balkan fiddle is often paired with end-blown flutes and other strings. Two unique and lesser-known string instruments include the tamburica and the gusle. The gusle is a chordophone (stringed instrument) with only one string. The tamburica is a lute with a long neck. This instrument originated from a Persian lute called the tanbur. You can see a picture of it below: Hammer Dulcimers Hammer dulcimer-type instruments came from ancient Persia and spread far across the world. The cimbalom is an example of one of these instruments that evolved from Persia and are often played in the Romani style. It originated in Hungary in the 1800s. You can listen to an example with those quintessential rolled strings here. Doumbek and Darbuka The darbuka is a goblet-shaped drum that is very similar to the djembe. This drum is the essential percussion instrument in Balkan music. You can also find the more commonly known doumbek in this area. While many people associate doumbeks and darbukas with Egyptian/ African music, these instruments are also prominent in the music of the Balkans. According to Darkbukaplanet, the darbuka was originally from Albania and the Middle East and spread to the rest of the Balkans and to Asia through trade. Here is an image of a goblet-style drum: Bagpipes Think bagpipes are only found in Scotland and Ireland? Think again! The giada is a type of Balkan bagpipe which is only found in SE Europe. Check out the unique sound of this instrument in this TED talk. Clarinets and End-Blown Flutes End-blown flutes from this area are hand-carved and often look very ornate. There are many iterations of fipple flutes throughout the world. Fipple flutes are end-blown flutes with a plug (also known as a fipple) inside. The most common fipple/end-blown flute in the Balkans is called the kaval. It is very similar to the nay from Egypt and Persia. The kaval is traditionally made from horn or wood and was originally played by shepherds. The Ney: The Kaval: Clarinets played in the Balkan style sound markedly different from clarinets in the Western classical context. There are more glissandi (sliding sounds), and the instrument sounds very voice-like. The plethora of bends and ornamentation in this video will give you a good idea: Brass Instruments Balkan brass is a huge part of the culture. It is a unique combination of folk music that was fused with military music. This type of music is called "Truba". Truba ensembles include the following instruments: Trumpets Flugelhorns Tubas Baritones Wagner tubas Percussion Of the instruments in Truba, the least commonly known is the Wagner tuba. These brass instruments combine features of the French horn and the tuba, which makes them sound mellow and unique. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Other unique features of Balkan music Epic/Epos Poetry Set to Music The gusle has an important place in Balkan cultures. It is the instrument that accompanies traditional epic poetry and legends. A person, titled the guslar, is both the accompanist and storyteller. The guslar must also know how to improvise. Both stories and historical events were told through this style of playing. Albanian songs about heroes and valour are one example. Serbian epic poetry is notably different from other Balkan poetry, as it only consists of shorter epos, rather than epics. The Serbian tradition tells love stories in the form of ballads and recreates historical events. According to Wikipedia, many of these songs detail Serbia's struggle for liberation from the Ottoman empire. One famous example is the life of Janko Mitrović (Јанко Митровић), a fearless leader from Croatia. His death was the start of the Serbian revolution. (Wiki/Wikimili_Janko) Harmonic Language Gusle music is largely chromatic (uses tones that do not belong to the diatonic/ major scale), and sometimes the vocals are microtonal (In-between notes). Turkish melodic structures - Makam and Ayak - are sets of rules for music performance. According to Turkishmusicportal, Makam is the most important concept in Ottoman-Turkish music. Makam could be compared to classical modes (scales) in Western music theory. There are rules for rhythm (usual), melody (seyir), and intervals (cinsler). Ayak, on the other hand, is more related to folk music. Pentatonic (five-note) scales are also used in Balkan folk music. Here is an example of improvisation on one of the Makams on an oud: Aksak Rhythms Aksak is the Turkish word for “limping” and refers to the combination of uneven sets of beats: 2+3. Aksak rhythms can be found in Turkey, the Middle East, and many of the surrounding regions. You can hear Aksak rhythms in Balkan dance music; time signatures such as 5 /8, 7 /8, and 11/8 are all common. In comparison, Western music typically uses time signatures such as 4/4, 3/ 4, and 6/8. Aksak is part of something called Ottoman music theory, which greatly differs from traditional Western classical theory. In Turkey, Aksak is the combination of 2+2+2+3 only (Wiki/Aksak) whereas Aksak in other countries refers to uneven sets of rhythms as a whole. You can still hear the Aksak rhythmic influence in many genres, such as in this original jazz tune by Dave Brubeck titled ‘Blue Rondo à la Turk’ and Emerson, Lake, & Palmer’s ‘Finale Medley’. Karşilama and Other Dances Folk dances are an integral part of the culture of the Balkans. And, as you’ve probably already noticed, the music of Turkey had a huge influence on the Western Balkans as a whole. Because of the Aksak rhythms and rhythmic ornamentations, dancers listen to macro beats (The larger, overarching rhythm) in order to keep their time. Karşilama is a dance originating from Turkey, which spread throughout the surrounding regions, particularly to Greece. Karşilama means to welcome, or a greeting, in Turkish. It is a couple’s dance that is often performed at festivals (Karsilamas/Wiki). Ken Shorley gives an excellent demonstration of the drum beat of this dance here: Another popular dance from this region includes the circle dance called The Horo, which used to be a way of courting (TheCultureTrip). It is now considered the national dance of Bulgaria. It sounds and looks shockingly Irish. This is actually because Bulgarian rhythms made their way into Celtic culture, rather than the other way around. Take a listen here: Modern Balkan Music Truba has made its way into the world of electronic music, where traditional-sounding melodies get mixed in with beats. The 2015 hit song “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony features elements of Balkan music. Muni Long (Priscilla Renea) is a producer from Florida who wrote and produced the song “Worth It”. Her trademark is integrating Balkan elements into her R&B and rap songs. In addition to this, they welcomed saxophonist Ori Kaplan, who played the saxophone riff. Kaplan is actually a member of the group Balkan Beat Box, a fusion group that combines elements of Jewish, Balkan, Middle-Eastern, Electronic, and punk music together. Take a listen here: Some other bands that have Balkan influences include: Gogol Bordello Beirut A Hawk and a Hacksaw Amsterdam Klezmer Conclusion The music history found woven in the cultures of this region is far too expansive to capture in just one article. But I hope you learned something today! You can follow Aleah on social media or listen to her flute covers here: Instagram Facebook Spotify References The Balkans https://www.britannica.com/place/Balkans Balkan Instruments https://eefc.org/balkan-culture/instruments/#:~:text=Many%20different%20instruments%20are%20played,combinations%20and%20numbers%20of%20instruments. Labeling the Balkans https://www.helvetas.org/en/eastern-europe/about-us/follow-us/helvetas-mosaic/article/September2018/Labeling-the-Balkans#:~:text=The%20term%20'Balkan'%20has%20developed,move%20away%20from%20its%20use. Aksak Rhythm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksak Blue Rondo / Piece https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Rondo_%C3%A0_la_Turk Darbuka Drum https://tribune.com.pk/story/51389/darbuka-a-little-known-percussion-instrument https://www.iemed.org/publication/the-balkans-past-and-present-of-cultural-pluralism/#:~:text=The%20Balkan%20Peninsula%20is%20usually,Ugric%2C%20Greek%20and%20Turkish%20origin. Gusle Music/ Guslar https://www.britannica.com/art/guslar Dance: Karsilimas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karsilamas Horo https://theculturetrip.com/europe/bulgaria/articles/horo-the-history-behind-bulgarias-national-dance/ Balkan Brass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkan_brass Makam http://www.turkishmusicportal.org/en/types-of-turkish-music/turkish-classical-music-the-makam-phenomenon-in-ottoman-turkish-music Serbian Epic Poetry https://www.byarcadia.org/post/serbian-epic-poetry-101-an-element-of-oral-tradition Accordion Tone Chambers https://www.lamalleauxaccordeons.fr/en/content/9-voices-in-tone-chamber Balkan Map https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geographic_map_of_Balkan_Peninsula.svg The Darbuka https://www.darbukaplanet.com/pages/darbuka-history Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Looking for some Christmas classical music to add to your playlists this December? We've selected 5 seasonal works for 4 different categories: instrumental, choral, operatic, and art song! Instrumental Tchaikovsky's magical ballet "The Nutcracker" is a Christmas classic, and the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" is one of the most recognisable excerpts! Josef Strauss was a member of the famous Strauss family of composers, and knew how to write great dance music, too! The polka "Winterlust" brings the magic of the winter season to life. Debussy dedicated the "Children's Corner" piano suite to his three-year-old daughter Claude-Emma "Chou-Chou". Listen to the piano emulating the dancing snow! Saint-Saëns' "Oratorio de Noël" is a sacred oratorio work. The "Prélude" introduction is inspired by Bach, and sets up the Christmas mood beautifully! Coleridge-Taylor wrote incidental music (which was never performed) for "The Forest of Wild Thyme" - a ‘charming poetical fairy drama’ for children. The "Christmas Overture" was arranged by Sydney Baynes and probably derived from this work. Choral One of the most frequently performed holiday works, Handel's "Messiah" is full of Christmas-appropriate excerpts. The joyous "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" is our choice for this list! The fifth movement from Rachmaninoff's "All Night Vigil" (Vespers) is a version of the "Nunc dimittis" (the Song of Simeon), based on the Biblical story of Simeon meeting the baby Jesus. There are choral arrangements of most traditional Christmas songs and carols, and many were originally composed for choral performance. "In the bleak midwinter" is a beautiful, simple setting by Holst of Christina Rossetti's poem. Bach's "Weihnachstoratorium" has many great choral moments. The opening "Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage" (Shout for joy, exult, rise up, praise the day) is jubilant and dramatic! "Bethlehem Down" is a beautiful choral anthem/carol by Peter Warlock and also exists as a solo song. Warlock and poet Bruce Blunt were struggling financially, and this piece funded their "immortal carouse" (heavy bout of drinking) on Christmas Eve 1927. It won a carol composing contest. Operatic Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was an opera composed for radio. It quickly became a beloved holiday work, enjoyed annually by listeners, and turned into film and stage versions. Pfitzner's opera "Das Christ-Elflein (The Little Elf of Christ) was originally premiered as incidental music to a Christmas play by Ilse von Stach. It was later revised by the composer into a two-act opera. Adams' "El Niño" is a contemporary (2008) opera-oratorio retelling of the Christmas story. It is based on the Biblical narrative, with excerpts and influences from other sources. This one is not very festive - the title character Werther in Massenet's opera dies by self-inflicted gunshots as the children outside celebrate Christmas. Heggie's opera is based on the Frank Capra film of the same name and and “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern. It premiered in 2016. Art song Madame Eustache has 17 daughters. When the girls are asked what they want for Christmas, they respond that they want a little sister! Toys magically come to life, enchanted by the nativity crèche! "Noël", or "Trois anges sont venus ce soir" (Three angels came tonight), is a setting of a poem by the composer herself, about an angelic visit. Wolf's Lied (song) is one of two settings in this list of a poem by Lope de Vega, translated by Emanuel Geibel. During a storm, Mary requests that nature be silent so her child can sleep. This setting of the same text is by Brahms, and is the second in a set of two songs by the composer for voice, piano, and viola. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

In this Living Composer feature, meet American composer Rain Worthington! Self-taught in composition, her catalogue includes repertoire for many different instrumental groupings, including orchestral works, chamber ensembles, duos, solos and miniatures. Within the world of contemporary classical composition, her work is often categorised as being influenced by world music, minimalism and romanticism. Prior to learning music notation, Rain experimented on the piano on the occasions when she had access to the instrument, later purchasing one of her own. She began composing and memorising solo piano pieces, and she performed these works in house concerts and music venues around New York. During this time she also performed her ensemble compositions, leading two bands. Her career as a composer grew and developed; her work has now been performed in multiple continents, and she has completed commissions for orchestras and solo performers. She served as Artistic Administrator & Composer Advocate for the New York Women Composers from 2006-2021. Since 2010, Navona Records has released Rain’s music to critical acclaim. Her music has been referred to as “a fusion of styles" (The IAWM (International Alliance for Women in Music) Journal, Pizzicato, and others) - with diverse influences from different eras, genres, and using a variety of compositional devices. Her albums are available to listen to on all major streaming sites; the most recent release is "Passages Through Time", released in 2022. Rain's compositions: Balancing on the Edge of Shadows Shredding Glass Within Deep Currents Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Rain's top 5 classical music works: Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor, L.140 Debussy: Nocturnes - Nuages Stravinsky: Le sacré du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) Satie: Trois morceaux en forme de poire Almost anything by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Marga Richter! Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Have you ever been curious about classical music, but didn't know where to start? Maybe you felt that you weren't smart enough, or educated enough, or were put off by music theory classes. Maybe you simply feel overwhelmed by just how MUCH music there is to discover! This is the moment for you to start engaging with classical music, through a personalised, guided discovery session! A little about me... My name is Kayla, and I am the founder of Sound Garden : classical music immersion. I trained as a classical/opera singer in New Zealand, and am now based in Paris, France. As well as singing, I have a passion for opening up the world of classical music to new listeners - no knowledge of music theory or performance skills necessary! Sound Garden was founded during the COVID lockdowns; here I create and share products and content designed to help people of all ages to connect with classical music. Lessons and Classes I am now offering online classical music immersion sessions, where you can discover the works, composers, and history of classical music in an interactive way, and learn how to integrate classical music into your daily life. So, how does it work? Fill out the short form at the bottom of this page with some information about your level of musical knowledge, your musical interests, your general interests, and any other useful points. You'll find two versions: One regular PDF, and one editable. Once I receive your completed form, I will contact you to finalise a session plan, provide payment details and refund/reschedule policy, and determine a suitable date and time. During the session, we'll explore 3-5 musical works according to your interests and experience. We'll discuss elements of the composer/s, context/s, and music, and complete some activities related to each one. We'll complete a reflection and plan the next steps of your classical music listening journey No prior knowledge necessary (lessons will be tailored for all levels of knowledge and experience!), and you can book for one-off or regular sessions. You can also combine a classical music immersion session with a voice lesson. Lessons are available in English or French. Group classes available by arrangement. Interested in learning more? Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Here are some of our favourite romantic classical music works - suitable for Valentine's Day or any time love is the order of the day! Love is a major topic in all the arts, and classical music is no exception; on our playlist are just a few selections which (in our opinion) inspire pure romance! You can find out more about some of these pieces in our post "Listening Lists: Inspired By Love". "Widmung" digital design Created by Sound Garden founder Kayla Collingwood, this digital design of Schumann's "Widmung" can become the perfect little gift for your husband/wife/fiancé(e)/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/loved one with an interest in classical music and/or poetry! Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish writer and (later in life) politician. He was a very important figure in 20th century literature (particularly poetry), and many of his poems have been set to music. He was heavily influenced by the work of other poets such as Keats, Wordsworth, and Blake, and his poetry was often inspired by his fascination with the supernatural and occult (he even collaborated with "spirit" writers on some works), symbolism/allusion, and the abstract. He wrote in a more "traditional" style than many of his contemporaries did, preferring to use standard forms rather than free verse. The poem "Down by the Salley Gardens" was published as part of Yeats' first collection of poems: "The Wanderings of Oisin and Other Poems" (1889). Originally he called the poem "An Old Song Re-Sung", noting that this poem was "an attempt to reconstruct an old song from three lines imperfectly remembered by an old peasant woman in the village of Ballisodare, Sligo, who often sings them to herself". It is possible that the song was the ballad "The Rambling Boys of Pleasure", which contains some similar words and phrases. What or where were the "Salley Gardens"? The word "salley" is a form of the word "sallow" - another name for a willow tree. It is possible that the "gardens" were near the Irish town of Sligo, on the banks of the river at Ballysadare. The trees here were cultivated as material for roof thatching. Here is the poem in full. Read on for examples of how composers set it to music! Down by the Salley Gardens Down by the salley gardens my love and I did meet; She passed the salley gardens with little snow-white feet. She bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish, with her would not agree. In a field by the river my love and I did stand, And on my leaning shoulder she laid her snow-white hand. She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs; But I was young and foolish, and now am full of tears. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Settings Listen to these different settings of the Yeats poem, and see how each composer used music to tell the story! Herbert Hughes/Benjamin Britten - In 1909, Herbert Hughes used the melody of the traditional air (type of song) "The Maids of Mourne Shore". This become the most well-known melody, used by other composers and arrangers after Hughes. In 1943, Benjamin Britten used this text/tune combo for one of his Folk Song settings, and his setting has become popular in its own right. John Ireland Rebecca Clarke Ivor Gurney Special Mention This version uses the Hughes melody, sung in a non-classical Irish folk song style Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach is best known for his operettas, of which he composed almost 100! He was also a skilled cellist, which was how he got started in the world of music. Ultimately, he wanted to be known as a composer who played the cello, rather than the other way around. Even if you have never heard of Offenbach before, you have certainly heard some of his music, such as the "Can-Can" from "Orphée aux enfers" (Orpheus in the Underworld). Les contes d'Hoffmann: Les oiseaux dans la charmille (The Doll Song) The opéra fantastique "Les contes d'Hoffmann" is one of Offenbach's best-known works, and is a staple of the operatic repertoire. The poet Hoffmann is the central figure of the story. He is challenged to tell florid stories about his three loves, the first of whom is a wind-up doll named Olympia. She sings one of the most showstopping arias in all of opera! Visiting Paris? You can stand outside the very building where Offenbach composed this work! La Belle Hélène: Overture La belle Hélène is an opéra bouffe (a type of French comic opera) which parodies the story of Helen of Troy and her elopement with Paris in the legend of the Trojan War. The overture is often performed on its own in orchestral concerts; however, it is not (entirely) Offenbach's work. The most frequently performed version is an arrangement by Eduard Haensch, prepared for the Austrian premiere of the work in 1865. La Périchole: Act I: Ah! quel dîner je viens de faire "La Périchole" is another opéra bouffe, based on the 1829 play "Le carrosse du Saint-Sacrement by Prosper Mérimée. The title character is based on 18th century Peruvian street entertainer and (famously) the mistress of Spanish military officer Manuel de Amat y Junyent. One of the highlights of the work is La Périchole's "tipsy" aria "Ah! quel dîner", where she sings about the great night she had! Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Orphée aux enfers: Act II: Galop Infernal (Can-Can) "Orpheus in the Underworld" was Offenbach's first full-length opera. After the first two-act performance, it was revised in a four-act opéra féerie (fairy-tale opera) version. It is a comic modified retelling of the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. It was highly successful and broke box-office records, and has been performed regularly in France and internationally ever since. In the late 19th century, the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergère cabarets used the music of the "Galop infernal" excerpt of the opera to accompany the can-can dance. Ever since, this music and the dance have been inseparable! Grand concerto pour violoncelle et orchestre ("Concerto militaire"): II. Andante The manuscripts for Offenbach's difficult cello concerto have only recently been discovered after the work fell into obscurity, and it has now re-entered the cello repertoire. It's nickname of "concerto militaire" is confirmed by the prominent timpani and snare drum parts. Offenbach performed the first movements in 1847, but it is unknown whether he ever performed the complete work. After some mistakes were made initially putting the rediscovered manuscripts together, the full concerto has now been recovered, performed, and recorded. The melodic lines of the piece show Offenbach's skill as a composer for voice, and the challenging, technical passages show the other side of him as a virtuoso cellist. Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. (Western) classical music is a genre which many people consider particularly important for its rich and lengthy history, the potential influence on development and creativity, and its contribution to the world we live in today. There are many ways to introduce listeners of all ages to its different facets: theory, history, performance, and more! Music history is an important element of music education; knowing the composers, contexts, and the backgrounds to the musical works one is hearing can really help to add new dimensions to the listening experience! In this blog post, we've compiled a list of ten classical music history topic ideas that can be tailored to all ages and levels of experience as you discover the fascinating world of classical music. What can you do with these topic ideas? You can use the internet, books, and other resources to find information about the topic. You can use music streaming platforms to find relevant musical works. You can use relevant Sound Garden products and resources - we've linked some in this article! If what you need doesn't exist yet, get in touch and we may be able to develop something new! You can book a 1:1 video call with Sound Garden founder Kayla Collingwood for a bespoke Classical Music Immersion learning experience! No music theory or music performance knowledge needed (but always encouraged)! Topics The life and music of [insert composer name here] Classical music of the [insert era here] Classical music works inspired by [insert topic here] 10 important instrumental works: [subgenre] 10 important vocal works: [subgenre] The history of [insert classical music instrument here] Classical music in art and media Classical music for [insert personal development/wellness topic here] Classical music from [insert country/culture/region here] New ideas and technology in classical music works The life and music of [insert composer name here] Learning about specific composers can help you to understand what inspired them, to recognise particular qualities and patterns in their music, and to discover what types of music you resonate with (you might find that you particularly like some features of a certain composer's work)! To get you started, you can check out our 100 Composer Profile Templates and pick one of the featured composers! This set of templates also includes templates for the profiles of your choice of living composers - who will you discover? For children, we have the Composer Activity Guide and Classical Inspirations series, which take an in-depth, age-appropriate look at famous composers and their works! Visit the shop to find out more! Classical music of the [insert era here] Classical music is traditionally divided into several different eras: Early Music (Ancient/Medieval/Renaissance), Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and post-20th Century (sometimes split into 20th and 21st Century). Each different era covers a period of time during which Western culture was going through certain societal shifts, composers were writing for the capabilities of certain instruments which were available, and what was valued aesthetically fit a certain overarching theme. Of course, over so many decades and centuries, there were many changes - sometimes huge pendulum swings! - which took place during each era. However, by listening to a range of works from each era, you'll get a feel for some basic principles which were frequently used in the music of that time. Want a full 101 crash course on classical music history throughout the ages? Check out the Introduction To Classical Music online course! Classical music works inspired by [insert topic here] Classical music works have been inspired by many different things! For example, human experiences such as love and death, nature elements such as the weather and the sea, or characters such as the gods of Antiquity or figures from folklore tales. As you listen to such works, see if you can hear the influences in the music! Are the influences easy to identify? How did the composer use music to represent something else? What do you think this shows about their perception of what they were trying to represent? 10 important instrumental works: [subgenre] Classical music is often divided into instrumental and vocal works (although this is a simplification!). It is then further divided into subgenres of those works, mainly based on which types and groupings of instruments are used. For example, in instrumental music, there are subgenres such as symphonies, chamber music, concertos, and works for solo instruments. 10 important vocal works: [subgenre] As mentioned above, classical music is often divided into instrumental and vocal works. Subgenres of vocal music include work types such as opera, oratorio, art song, and choral music. Be sure to explore the different voice categories which exist in solo and choral vocal music, too! The history of [insert classical music instrument here] Every musical instrument has its own story and is unique in timbre (sound qualities) and how it is played. Some people really love to listen to the sound of an oboe, while others prefer the piano. By delving into the history and works of a particular instrument, you'll learn not only about which instruments you love to listen to, but also about some of the amazing works written for the capabilities of that instrument, and maybe even some great performers who specialise in that instrument! Classical music in art and media Classical music has influenced (and been influenced by) and been featured in many other forms of art and media. This may include popular media such as movies, TV, video games, etc., or more traditional art forms such as the visual arts, literature, and dance. Have you recognised classical music in other forms of art or media? Classical music for [insert personal development/wellness topic here] Many people have found classical music to be a valuable tool for improving their lives, and in many cases science offers explanations for this. For example, the rhythms and patterns found in many classical music works can contribute to improved focus, different levels of intensity/tempo (speed)/types of instruments/etc can contribute to different emotions and states (for example calm or excitement), and singing in a group can alter your heart rate. Our "Classical Sessions for..." series seeks to combine classical music with such topics. Visit the shop for more info! Classical music from [insert country/culture/region here] Although Western classical music developed mainly in Europe and from European traditions, this does not mean that everyone had the same experiences, spoke the same language, or lived in the same communities! European history is full of the displacement of various people groups, the rise and fall of civilisations and powers, wars and border changes, the influence of one culture on another, and many other aspects which resulted in music being infused with the unique qualities of the cultures which surrounded composers. New ideas and technology in classical music works As technology has advanced, so too has music. For example, over time new instruments or instrument varieties have been invented, music has been composed using different systems of notation and with different theoretical underpinnings, and traditionally "classical" music has been infused and crossed with instruments and qualities from other musical genres and traditions. There is also a much broader scope for creating and distributing immersive performances, with inventions such as video and sound recording. What else can you discover? Immerse Yourself in Classical Music

Now that we've established our base range of products, we can start adding to them! This is the second product in our "Composer Activity Guide" range, for children ages 0-6 (with their parents and carers)! The Composer Activity Guides are designed to introduce young children to classical music figures through words, music, and activities. They consist of two types of content: Information pages Activity pages Information pages are laid out with a simple text for parents/carers to read. You may choose to read the information page to the child or relay any relevant details in your own way as they engage with the music and activities. At the bottom of each information page, you will find the title of a classical music work for you and your child to listen to. You can use your favourite streaming service to find the musical works, or just bookmark this page - you will find all the selected works further down! Activities are designed to be initiated and guided by an adult, with the intention of ultimately inspiring the child to continue exploring, playing, and learning independently. We trust that you will utilise both the information and the activities in a way which works for you and your child at their unique developmental stage! After each information page, you will find two stages of activities: Stage 1 is generally most suitable for ages 0-3. Stage 2 is generally most suitable for ages 3-6. This product is currently available as a digital download. How it works: Purchase the product. You will receive a link to download. Print and go! Return to this blog post to listen to the musical excerpts. Ready to buy? Playlist Bought the guide, or just want to listen to some Liszt? Here's our playlist with all the referenced works! Note that some larger works are broken down as multiple tracks. Années de Pèlerinage: Première année: Suisse Liebesträume Hungarian Rhapsodies Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Schwanengesang (No. 7: Ständchen) Schubert: Ständchen Grandes études de Paganini (No. 3: La Campanella) Paganini: La Campanella Chants polonais (No. 1: Zyczenie) Chopin: Zyczenie Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne A Faust Symphony Mephisto Waltzes (No. 1) Learn more about Sound Garden

Take our quiz to see how many you can get right! Once you get your results (including a Liszt pun), scroll down to listen to some of Liszt's works! Totentanz La Campanella Mephisto Waltz Hamlet (Symphonic Poem) Hungarian Dance No. 5 Enfant, si j'étais roi Missa coronationalis Learn more about Sound Garden

Many composers have been inspired by the seasons in their work. Have a listen to our 8 selections inspired by autumn! Below these selections, you will find autumn/fall activities for our four age groups: Adults (18+), Youth (12-18), Childhood (6-12), Early Childhood (0-6). The Four Seasons: L’autunno (Autumn) Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and priest. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. The Four Seasons (Italian: Le quattro stagioni) is a group of four violin concerti (plural of concerto = a work for solo instrument/s and orchestra). They are based on poems (probably written by Vivaldi himself). They are some of the earliest examples of "programme music" - where the music is telling a particular story. Each of the four concerti are divided into three movements, or sections. In "Autumn", the movements and their inspirations based on the poems are as follows: I. Allegro: Peasants singing/dancing after the autumn harvest. II. Adagio molto: The peace and sleep after the party ends. III. Allegro: Hunters with their horns, guns, and dogs. Chanson d'automne (Autumn Song) Reynaldo Hahn Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) was a composer, conductor, music critic, theatre director, and singer. He was born in Venezuela, but moved to France as a young child. He was a child prodigy singer and pianist. At the age of eight, Hahn composed his first songs, and he began studying at the conservatoire in Paris at the age of ten. The "Chanson d'automne" is the first of seven songs in the Chansons grises (Grey Songs) song cycle (set). All the poems in the cycle are by the celebrated poet Paul Verlaine. English translation of the poem: The long sobs of the autumn violins injure my heart with their monotonous lethargy. All choking and pale when the hour sounds, I remember the old days and I weep; And I go where the bad winds blow, they toss me to and fro, like a dead leaf. November Woods Arnold Bax Arnold Bax (1883-1953) was a British composer, poet, and author. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he also had other sources of income, which enabled him to follow his musical career as he saw fit. He was heavily inspired by Celtic and Nordic legends and traditions, particularly in the early years of his career. "November Woods" is an example of a symphonic poem/tone poem - a piece of orchestral music which illustrates or evokes the content of another source, such as a poem, short story, novel, painting, or landscape. According to Arnold Bax, however, the piece is not programme music: "[It] may be taken as an impression of the dank and stormy music of nature in the late autumn, but the whole piece and its origins are connected with certain rather troublous experiences I was going through myself at the time....". The Seasons: Fall John Cage John Cage (1912-1992) was an American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher. His work "The Seasons" is a ballet for solo piano or orchestra. It was commissioned by the Ballet Society in New York, with original choreography by Merce Cunningham. Cage was inspired by the indigenous North American Indians' concept of the seasons: winter is associated with serenity, spring with creation, summer with preservation, and fall/autumn with destruction. "The Seasons" was the first of Cage's compositions to use what he called the gamut composition technique - where he selected particular notes, chords, and other groupings of sounds to highlight. He also used mathematical proportions in this work. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Otoño Porteño Astor Piazzolla Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) was a 20th century Argentinian tango composer. He moved to a rough New York City neighbourhood with his family as a child, and had to learn to take care of himself as his parents worked long hours. When he was at home, he loved to listen to his father's records of the tango orchestras, and was exposed to jazz and classical music from an early age. "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" was written for Piazzolla's five-piece ensemble of violin, piano, electric guitar, double bass, and bandonéon (a type of accordion). Piazzolla himself was a talented bandonéonist, having begun playing when his father spotted the instrument in a pawn shop. "Otono Porteño" is the last of the seasons featured in this work, and highlights the bandonéon, with the other instruments also being featured individually as the piece goes on. It has been performed in a variety of different instrumental arrangements. Ceremonial - An Autumn Ode Tōru Takemitsu Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996) was a Japanese composer and writer. Through his father's music collection, he was exposed to many kinds of music, many of which would have been off-limits in his home country. At age 14, he was conscripted into the army. During this time he was exposed once again to new genres of music, and determined that he wanted to become a composer. Takemitsu loved experimenting with sound and silence, and creating unusual combinations of musical elements. He later began including traditional Japanese instruments in his compositions - "Ceremonial - An Autumn Ode" was the last of his works to do so (it is written for shō and orchestra). This work was written to highlight shō musician Mayumi Miyata. Takemitsu was often inspired by nature - particularly gardens and water, and in this case the season of autumn. Autumn Gardens Einojuhani Rautavaara Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016) was a Finnish composer. His early works were examples of serialism: a technique using a precise series of musical elements to compose. Later, his music became more neoromantic (an artistic movement where music became more emotional, rather than being based on principles such as logic or realism). "Autumn Gardens" is an orchestral work divided into three movements: I. Poetico II. Tranquillo III. Giocoso et leggiero Rautavaara on this piece: "I have often compared composing to gardening. In both processes, one observes and controls organic growth rather than constructing or assembling existing components and elements. I would also like to think that my compositions are rather like ‘English gardens’, freely growing and organic, as opposed to those that are pruned to geometric precision and severity." The Seasons: Autumn Thea Musgrave Thea Musgrave (1928-present) is a Scottish composer. She often highlights historic figures in her operas and other musical theatre works, such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Harriet Tubman ("Harriet, the Woman called Moses"), and Simón Bolívar. Her orchestral works often show her fascination with ‘dramatic-abstract’ musical ideas, and some of her works are also inspired by the visual arts. "The Seasons" was conceived after a visit to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Musgrave came across Piero di Cosimo’s "Caccia Primitiva", inspiring the idea that images related to the four seasons could be a metaphor for the cycles in the life of man. The Academy of St Martin's in the Fields commissioned the work in 1988. In "Autumn", one of the main musical motives includes hunting horns. The overall themes of this season's musical representation are storms, violence, and destruction. Later, the medieval sounds of the mourning "Dies irae" pattern ring out. Our first activity for the week is for the little ones (and parents/carers as required!): Autumn Tree Handprint Design What you'll need: - Paper plate - Paper in autumn/fall colours - Coloured card (for the tree trunk) - Pencil/pen - Child-friendly scissors - Glue What to do: - Using a pencil, trace the child's hand and arm onto the coloured card. Cut out and glue onto the paper plate. - Draw leaf shapes onto the coloured paper. Cut out, arrange, and glue onto the plate. - Add extra decorations as desired! Make a washi tape leaf design! What you'll need: - Coloured card - Several different washi tape designs - Child-friendly scissors - Pencil - Glue/tape What to do: - Fold the coloured card in half width-wise. - On the front of your card, draw a large leaf shape. Cut out. - On the inside of the card, stick down strips of washi tape so that when you close the card, the interior of the leaf template is filled with the washi designs. - Once your work is complete, spread glue around the inside edges of the card and close. Let dry. Done! Clay leaf bowls are a great craft for older children and teens. Perfect for holding keys, trinkets, or phones! Note that you may have to wait a couple of days before you can paint your bowl. What you'll need: - A large leaf - Air drying clay (unless you are clay experts and have access to a kiln!) - Acrylic paints - Acrylic varnish - Rolling pin - Knife - Paper towel - Paper bowl - Paintbrushes What to do: - Take a lump of clay and roll it out with a rolling pin. - Place the leaf so that the veins are going into the clay. Use the rolling pin to push it in enough to make an imprint (but so that you can still remove the leaf easily). - Use the knife to cut around the edges of the leaf. Smooth down the edges as needed. Remove the leaf. - Lay a sheet of paper towel inside of the paper bowl. Carefully lift the clay leaf off your work surface. Place it inside the bowl and gently press it down so it curves according to the shape of the bowl. - Once the clay is dry (check clay instructions), you can decorate it using your acrylic paints. Let dry and then add varnish. Let the varnish dry and you're done! Make a pumpkin painting! What you'll need: - Canvas or wooden board - Pumpkin (or a picture of one) - Pencil - Paintbrushes - Acrylic paints - Varnish/gloss (optional, if you know what you're doing!) What to do: - Sketch the outline of a pumpkin onto your chosen surface. Use the real pumpkin/picture for reference. - Paint and finish as desired - search YouTube/elsewhere online for tips if you're new to painting! Learn more about Sound Garden