“Every task, goal, race and year comes to an end…therefore, make it a habit to FINISH STRONG” (Motivational guru Gary Ryan Blair) which is exactly how our year of music has wound up. You may say that November has been full of “endings”.
Berlioz’ Symphony Fantastique a saw a strong and happy end of his pursuit of the hand of Harriet Smithson; Schumman’s 3rd Symphony marked the end of his compositional life (although not a happy ending); Gustav Holst gave up on astrology after composing “the Planets”; while Beethoven’s 5th Symphony came about when his deafness saw him give up on being a concert pianist and turn to composing full time.
These are some of the works that saw us finish this year “STRONG”.
Berlioz’ Symphony Fantastique a saw a strong and happy end of his pursuit of the hand of Harriet Smithson; Schumman’s 3rd Symphony marked the end of his compositional life (although not a happy ending); Gustav Holst gave up on astrology after composing “the Planets”; while Beethoven’s 5th Symphony came about when his deafness saw him give up on being a concert pianist and turn to composing full time.
These are some of the works that saw us finish this year “STRONG”.
And, of course, no music year is ever complete without some reference to Handel’s “Messiah” which is exactly how our year ended up.
Programme - 11 November
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique - 5th movement
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 22
Schumann - Symphony No. 3
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 22
Schumann - Symphony No. 3
Programme - 24 November
Holst - The Planets
('Jupiter - Starts 22 minutes 30 seconds in)
Beethoven - Symphony No.5
The Messiah Deconstructed
('Jupiter - Starts 22 minutes 30 seconds in)
Beethoven - Symphony No.5
The Messiah Deconstructed
Meanwhile, as TS Eliot observed: “to make an end is to make a beginning”. 2023 will see Music Appreciation widen its source of recordings and music selections with a little bit of innovation. A fascinating year awaits.
As the year draws to a close, did you know that the original meaning (in English) for “merry” is “strong”? Have a “strong” Christmas.
Bill Squire.
As the year draws to a close, did you know that the original meaning (in English) for “merry” is “strong”? Have a “strong” Christmas.
Bill Squire.
