Haydn: Known as the father of the string quartet, Hayden was a master at story-telling in four-part ensemble. Settle in to “The Dream” and let you imagination carry you away.

• Hayden often sets expectations with predictable patterns then alters the pattern for a surprise. In story-telling this pattern is often used to tell jokes.

• How masterpieces acquire a nickname is not fully understood. The third movement of “The Dream” is thought by some to give this piece its nickname. The movement is short. What kind of a dream is it?

 

Lang: The piece, ‘daisy’, was inspired by a commercial run under the Johson administration – run only once, then pulled - it showed a young girl in a field picking daisies. The color of the daisy was used as an indicator of nuclear radiation. The ad’s message concerned how nuclear energy would impact humankind.

• Give yourself to the listening experience. How does the music make you feel? What kind of emotions come to your awareness?

• Can you hear the composer’s message - between hopelessness and promise, between despair and hope? If he used words to this message, what would it say?

 

Chopin, Poulenc, and Attacca: “Nocturne” refers to short pieces usually played at night. This suite of nocturnes incudes several romantic pieces, inspired by the early 19th century (Chopin), the early 20th century (Poulenc) and the early 21st century (arrangement by Attacca.).

• How do these pieces reflect the personal expression and sentimental emotion of romanticism in each era?

 

Bartók: With early 20th century analog recording equipment, Bartók captured sounds of local, folk music and drew upon that spirit in his compositions. Bartok uses an abstract style, with a coloristic approach to soundscapes. Five movements.

Listen to notice how the first and final movements are linked, as are the second and fourth movements. The third movement provides what Batrók called the “kernel” – around which the other movements move.

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Many thanks to Terra Alma Wines, Pacific Crest Coffee, and Cornerstone Bakery and Cafe - for refreshments.