A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
ANTONIO Vivaldi is well known as the composer of the violin concertos known as the Four Seasons, but he left at least 500 other concertos including some for less usual instruments … Continue readingVivaldi – beyond the Four Seasons
I FIND it incredible that Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote his marvellous Octet in E flat major Op 20 when he was only 16. And this was after he had composed 12 symphonies, … Continue readingThe young Mendelssohn
TO my ear, the moment after the orchestral build-up when the solo viola and violin enter together, an octave apart, is one of the most thrilling in music. The work … Continue readingMozart: Sinfonia Concertante, K364
I FIRST heard this decades ago as the signature tune to a BBC serial reading of Henry James’s The Aspern Papers, and I was captivated. I don’t know why it is … Continue readingClassics on Sunday – Schubert: Notturno D897
THIS is the first in a series in which I hope to showcase my favourite classical music. I am not sure if a march counts as classical, but after this … Continue readingClassics on Sunday: The Stars and Stripes Forever