***Google the pieces for some programme notes/info – it always helps to know the context,

however the music should still stand alone!

Gregorian Chant: where it all began. Simple vocal music w big open harmony – unison, 4ths, 5ths,
octaves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0d4qM7gCH8

(Gregorian Chant with jazz sax --- I love this. Super pure. Jan Garbarek does all sorts of really cool
interesting stuff. This entire Album – Officium – is worth getting – chill hard to it!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBPbLKcJ94Q&list=PLu1Adw_fE-ccUKt3Koh15hg1m992xyD6q

Baroque Period: Dudes in tights, wigs, white make up.

JS Bach – Cello Suite #1 – All of these pieces except for the first (Prelude) are dances – people would
actually have danced to them. They all had a specified tempo, metre(ie ¾, 4/4, 6/8 etc), and style.
Baroque period was like the architecture of the day, very ordered with lots of frills. Bach was the
master of outlining harmony, and putting subtle twists on it. Many jazz musicians study him for an
insight into harmony. It was during this period that the piano was invented – superceding the
harpsichord – a similar keyboard instrument, but which plucked the strings, thus only ever playing at
the one dynamic and having no sustain. The hammers on a piano allow for different dynamics and
sustain – hence its full name PIANOFORTE (literally LOUD SOFT)

I have played a transcription of this piece heaps on alto sax.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNmrCMCvbFg

Classical Period: Still wigs and tights, but on their way out…..

Mozart Clarinet Concerto --- Mozart was a freak. Started composing at 4yrs old. Died at 36. Insanely
prolific. Died in poverty. Along with Haydn the two major figures of early classical period. The adagio
of this piece regularly ranks at #1 in classic FM’s hottest 100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3EJqvKhYzY

Late Classical Period: starting to wear pants, normal hair……

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Ultimate classic theme. The way he develops such a simple idea is
awesome. Wrote this in his 30s when already going deaf. Lived into his 80s and continued
composing whilst deaf. Would put piano on the floor and feel vibrations – I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4KK7RWjmk

Romantic Period: lots more emotion, lots of dynamic contrast, rubato (flexible tempo)….

Dvorak – my favourite composer. This is when orchestras had a full contingent of woodwinds, brass
and percussion. The Largo from this is very popular, and super pure – I played it w Hugo @ Mick’s
wedding. You’ll probably notice heaps of stuff that John Williams (Star Wars, Superman, Jaws etc)
ripped off.

This piece – The New World Symphony was written when he moved from Europe to the new world –
The USA. Uses folk tunes etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuqyfEyNXQo
Dvorak – Cello Concerto – one of my favourite pieces. Jaquline Dupres died from MS when 27. Had a
sordid affair with Daniel Barenboim – pianist/conductor.

The cello is often sighted as being the instrument that is closest to the human voice. So much
emotion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llB7NaWLUc4

Rachmaninov – Russian emotional giant, punishingly powerful. Monster of a piece to play. Massive
harmony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TJvJXyWDYw

Flower Duet ---Leo Delibes --- I’m not much of a fan of classical singing, particularly opera, but this is
some amazingly pure vocal harmony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf42IP__ipw

Satie –Gymnopedie 1 – Mish may well have played this one. Pure, simple harmony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU

Faure – Pavane – I teach this to my sax students. Again, love the melody & harmonic twists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QtT48Ex4ao

Rodrigo – Guitar Concerto Slow Movement: Super classic guitar piece. John Williams is an Aussie
virtuoso. Such clean, pure tonal playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekznnxaGzNU