Wagner – Die Frist Ist Um

One of the most original composers ever living, Richard Wagner found his unique style perhaps while working on Flying Dutchman, his opera inspired by natural phenomenon of storm (and not of looming, as one may think; looming is an atmospheric refraction effect which, strictly talking, initiated the legend of a ghost ship, to which the piece owes its title). Sea related scenes inspired not only Wagner – think of Aivazovsky's paintings or Moby-Dick, – and all these works are brilliant. To every rule there is an exception, but not this time: Flying Dutchman is a genuine masterwork. Find sheet music for Die Frist ist um here: The Flying Dutchman. Die Frist ist um, for Voice and Piano.

Ebben? Ne andrò lontana (Aria from La Wally)

As far as I know, there are not many people named after works of classical – or, well, modern or film, – composers. Well, someone may have a different experience, but among my acquaintances certainly one can't find Carmen or say, Attila or Ariadne. Besides that, it is usually inanimate objects bear real person's names, with Apple Lisa, the first computer of the company named after Steve Jobs' daughter being the obvious example. Still, to every rule there is an exception, and having been impressed with Alfredo Catalani's opera, Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini decided to give his daughter a name of Wally – a very good-sounding one, if you ask for my opinion. I can't help but join Toscanini in his appreciation of this work – it is nothing less than amazing. Download the score of the first act's aria here: La Wally. Air Wally 'Ebben? Ne andrò lontana' Act I.

The Rage Over the Lost Penny – Beethoven

The Rage Over the Lost Penny might as well be a title to win in the "Attention span" nomination among classical pieces, however, composed by one of the music's masterminds and most important figures whatsoever, it also makes one wonder: why did Beethoven need to excel with naming? Upon listening things become even more unclear: if this work had been substantially imperfect, there would be neccessity to cover it up via distracting title; no matter what, the Rage Over the Lost Penny is among the most refined pieces written by Beethoven. But the truth is, it wasn't him who was overly creative in this situation, actually who are responsible for the title are third parties and its origin runs back to the great composer's haibt of accusing his households in stealing... Download it here: The Rage Over the Lost Penny. Rondo a Capriccio in G Major, Op.129.

Edward German – Rolling Down to Rio

Rolling Down to Rio is quite a life-asserting song which, from my experience, succeeds in lifting the mood much. Featuring lyrics by Rudyard Kipling, it was written by Edward German, a composer of English nationality. (It would be fun if he had been born in Germany – "Edward German, German composer" sounds very nice, – but what didn't happen didn't happen.) German himself at the certain period of life needed something to lift his mood. It seems like he had a plenty reasons not to be cast down – he was the first composer to score a British movie and was among those first to conduct their own works for recording, – but what truly dismayed him is that his orchestral works didn't get much recognition. These are indeed very nice and I sincerely recommend checking them and other works of German out. For now, here is his Rolling Down to Rio, enjoy.

Busoni's Arlecchino – An Opera Extraordinaire

Despite being rare, it is still an exceptional pleasure to learn about people whose actions or projects make you think nothing but "What?" in all the capital letters. It's OK that Ferrucio Busoni's piano concerto is the largest of them all or that it is written for almost the largest orchestra possible, but when I found out about the male voice choir that joins in the last movement, being hidden behind the curtain... I went through a whole range of emotions on it!

Shortly after I found myself thinking "Whoa, Busoni appears to be a composer I'd like to get myself acquainted with!" The thing is, if we take, for example, Eric Satie, he, with all his extravagant pranks, still remains an author of many genuinely fine works. Having a sense of humor doesn't mean that a composer doesn't take his work seriously, otherwise – as for me, it adds up a feeling of personality to his works and sometimes cheers us up (which is what music is supposed in the first instance).

Talking about Busoni's pieces that can boost our internal optimism, Harlequin is a definite highlight. Feeling of this opera is inexpressible – you just have to experience it on your own, preferrably in the concert hall. Harlequin, or The Windows, BV 270 Op.50 – here you can find sheet music of Arlecchino's closing speech, and below is the orchestersuite. Overall arrangement of the piece is so full of resource and life that it is impossible not to like it; first-grade masterpiece is what Arlecchino really is.

Cantata No.29 by J.S. Bach

I’ve always been collecting the curiosities and facts not many are aware of about composers, especially about those who belong to the Classical and Romantic periods. Indeed, we see a lot of weirdoes around us – be they town freaks or TV hosts – and learning about the strange situations that grey-haired men in frock-coats were sometimes involved in is always fun: insomuch it doesn’t fit in with their image of respectable gentlemen.

Here is a recent yet one of the most stunning facts I have ever stumbled on: even though his name is easily recognized by literally anyone, not many know that Johann Sebastian Bach was once sentenced to prison! Inapprehensible as it is, it is still the part of his biography – this happened to Bach for his strong desire to change job; as a consequence for being too persistent, he was arrested. On expiration of one month the Duke of Saxeweimar freed him, though, and gave a freedom to work wherever he wants. After moving to Köthen Bach was mainly composing cantatas – one of the most popular is available for download here: Cantata No.29 Overture (Arrangement for Piano), BWV 29.

Jerusalem by Hubert Parry

OK, with a piece I want to share today things seem complicated: my life for it, hardly one of a hundred musicologists would know what I mean, presenting the fact that one famous stamp-collector, a few of whose findings can be found under the bulletproof glass, once said this song is a better national anthem than the one already established in his country. As all of this resembles rather a convoluted plot of a film like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia than something to intrigue a rapt pianist or vocalist, I will say differently: a piece I’m talking about is Jerusalem by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry and that stamp-collector is no one other than George V who was a King of the United Kingdom back in days.

With lyrics taken from William Blake’s poem, Jerusalem is a very special song – it has been unofficial hymn of England for decades. Download it here: Jerusalem (And did Those Feet in Ancient Time).