Tchaikovsky

Archive

April 2, 2017 by Simon Sweetman

We Need To Talk About Classical Music…Because We Never Have: Our Introduction To Classical Music

I’m going to tell you a bit about my background with classical music; some of my early touchstones, how I educated myself and explored options, and some of the favourite pieces I’ve collected and my go-to composers. That sort of thing. And then you can do the same. Seem reasonable? Otherwise we’ll be here all […]

Archive

January 8, 2017 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 593

Daniel Barenboim, Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 in F Minor, Op.36 (1972) I have a fairly omnivorous approach to classical. I learn on the job. I go in, open-minded, find things I dig, some I don’t – and though I’m not at the level of being able to tell things apart (different versions, conductors, performers) I can […]

Archive

July 5, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 673

V/A, Beethoven (?) This giant box-set of Beethoven on vinyl has been with me for about 20 years now…I started listening to classical music at the end of my high-school years, I was convinced it might help me with study. It didn’t. But I did get hooked onto all those key composers: the big names […]

Archive

June 23, 2015 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: Orchestra Wellington 2. LITTLE RUSSIAN (June 20, Wgtn)

Orchestra Wellington with Michael Houstoun and Leila Adu: 2. LITTLE RUSSIAN MFC Saturday, June 20 For the second performance in Wellington Orchestra’s six-part series it was to Leila Adu, 2014’s emerging composer in residence. Her commissioned piece, Rain as Blessings Fall, kicked off the evening, a dose of rain – and cold – in the […]

Archive

April 21, 2015 by Simon Sweetman

Gig Review: Orchestra Wellington 1. KAMARINSKAYA (April 18, Wgtn)

Orchestra Wellington with Michael Houstoun: 1. KAMARINSKAYA MFC Saturday, April 18 It was the opening of Orchestra Wellington’s 2015 season, a special season that will feature Michael Houstoun as soloist across all six performances. Each program will see Orchestra Wellington perform one of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies. So for this – KAMARINSKAYA – the first performance in […]

Archive

November 17, 2013 by Simon Sweetman

Poem: Tchaikovsky

had the stare and intense strain of a certified maniac. Perhaps that’s why he tended to attack the listener’s senses. Never arrogant – like Beethoven; not angry, such as Brahms. Not often patronising, nor condescending (strike Vivaldi and Mozart – in that order). The stare of the madman always came through.