Emily Cat 176

This is the music l have been listening to the past few days,  Do you like his music? He showed amazing musical talent from a very early age and spent the rest of his life writing all types of music. Is he your favourite composer?. He's not mine, but, l do like his music. Let me know your favourite Mozart piece.  I love listening to all this different music. It makes the week so much better. Let's start a conversation.

Another composer that l have discovered.  Did Russian Classical Music start with him and did he influence those who followed? A few days ago l had never heard of him. That's the beauty of the course l'm running. It's introducing me to all this wonderful music. If you have time today listen to some of Glinka's music. It's got a lovely melody to it.

Johann Sebastian Bach  Was he the greatest composer ever? This is the music l have been listening to this week. It's great music, but, l have one thing l don't like about it: the harpsicord. I know that's what was around then, no pianos in those days. Even knowing that l have to say l don't like the sound of a harpsicord. Bach came from a musical family and, in turn, several of his children also became composers. It's so much fun listening to all this music. Who said classical music was boring? Me and l was so wrong.

I was so wrong about classical music. So much choice, so much wonderful music. Love, love, love classical music now.  

Talking about German composer Richard Wagner  He's not my favourite.  What do you think of his music?

I'm listening to a lot of music lately.  One thing l've noticed is that all the orchestras have right handed violinists.  Watching all this music has had me musing about learning a musical instrument. I love the violin but l would play it left handed. Have any of you seen an orchestra with left handed violinists? The typical orchestra formation is like a horse shoe. Violins are on the left and then we move to the flutes and woodwind instruments with the cellos and double bass on the right. Have you ever seen  this formation reversed? Cellos on the left and violins on the right? Are all children who want to learn the violin right handed? I tried to learn the ukulele. Even though the ukulele was strung for left handed play all the books, sheet music was for a right handed player. I couldn't play it right handed. So, if you play the violin can you let me know if you are right handed.

Think of the night,  Nocturnes are part of music. They are compositions inspired by the night. I've been listening to Chopin and he did something like 21-24 nocturnes. They are world famous and well known to anyone who plays the piano. They typically have lyrical melodies and a reflective mood. Once l had looked into what nocturnes are l went back and listened to Chopin again. I could hear it, a reflective night time mood.  We all know that there is a different feel to the night compared to daytime and l think you can hear that in his music. Chopin was only 39 when he died. He had years of ill health and l think you can hear almost melancholy in his music too. Chopin's nocturnes were for virtuoso piano and are beautiful to listen to. If you have time today listen to some of his music and see if you can hear the music of the night.

He is my favourite composer.  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893. Ballets, concerto, symphonies and more. I consider this man to be a musical genius. As with many his talent was recognised early. He worked lowly jobs to support himself before a patroness allowed him to concentrate on his music. The very next year he wrote Swan Lake. The music lives on because of his genius.

Welcome to December. Do you like opera?  I am liking it more and more. So much so that l am tutoring a class about opera next year. This will be the first time l've tutored any class and l'm a bit nervous but also looking forward to it. I'm also going to be talking about the music, which l like more and more now.  If you have any favourite operas let me know. Wish me luck.

I received something in the mail while l was sick that lifted my spirits.  Let me know if you like classical and/or chamber music. Let's start a conversation.

Last weekend l travelled down to a church in Frankston.  It is a church that often has musical events and fund raising events for their organ repairs.  This was one of those events. 3 young, and very talented performers.  Siblings Naomi and Joshua Walker and Nyah Andersson.  Joshua played both the pipe organ and piano. His sister Naomi played piano and Nyah played the oboe. Can l just sat now how talented they all were. I have to make a confession, l much prefer piano to pipe organ. Joshua played both and has a preference for the pipe organ.  He's already playing in some of the big churches in Melbourne.  He has so much talent and is a wonderful piano player. If he chooses to pursue a career in music l think he will go far. Naomi played the piano and is currently studying a Bachelor of music at The New England university.  She is a very talented performer too. In fact, they are a talented musical family.  Nyah was so good too. I love the woodwind ...

Do you like classical music? I do. Never liked it when l was young, but, am liking it more and more now. Wilsons Road Mornington is the home for Frankston Musical Society and Peninsula Musical Society. On March 22nd l travelled to Mornington and saw a show from Peninsula Music Society, and how did l like it?  This the performer l saw. Stefan Cassomenos. Stefan is a very accomplished pianist and he performed a varied program including Mozart, Liszt and Beethoven. I wish l could play like this. Stefan is also a co-Artistic Director of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and has composed for Symphonys,  choirs and opera.  Wilsons Road has a very good name and attracts good shows. Last year l saw the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra perform and that was brilliant. I know that a keep saying it but it's true, suburban Arts are thriving in the suburbs of Melbourne.  If any of you are as interested as l am in the arts look in your local area and see what's on. You may get a plea...

A special treat today. Recently l saw the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. They played Tchaikovsky.  I think he was a musical genius.  Do any of you think that too? Do you like classical music and do any of you attend performances because l ask a question in the video and would like to know the answer.   

I've seen my first show in the 2025 season.  On Friday l travelled to the Frankston Arts Centre to see Australian tenor David Hobson. We are so lucky here in Melbourne.  Every suburban Arts Centre runs a Morning Melodies program.  Frankston runs theirs on a Friday with 2 performances at. 10.30 and 1.30. I always go to the 1.30 show. Over the years I've seen so many good shows and this one was such a good act to start the new season.  David Hobson has sung in operas, Gilbert and Sullivan and musical theatre. His voice is still going strong at 64. In the video l talk about the difference between David and Maria Callas. He sang a bit of everything and he was good. These Morning Melodies shows can be a real treat, and, if there's a suburban Arts Centre near you check them out. So the 2025 has kicked off with a great start and there are many good things ahead. Keep watching this space.  

Thank you to all of you who have looked at this website this year. I am grateful for each and every one of you.  It's been a great year in the suburbs again and next year looks so good too. Next week l hope you all can spend time with people you love and Happy New Year too. See you in 2025

Another sonata that l would love to play. If l ever manage to get back to my piano lessons this is one piece that l want to learn. Can any of you play this piece?

I saw a show on Friday which got me thinking about Puccini, and how little l knew of him or his music. So this is what l have been listening to the last few days. I like it and will definitely be listening to it again. Who else likes opera and Puccini in particular? Let me know in the comments.