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Classical Music Challenge - Brahms Symphony no. 1

Brahms 1st and Beethoven's 5th are cliché pieces. At least give us something to sink our teeth into. Bartók for instances, who's love of folk music is similar to mine or even Shostakovitch who's symphonies rattle the walls of my listening room. ;)

Doc
 
Brahms 1st and Beethoven's 5th are cliché pieces. At least give us something to sink our teeth into. Bartók for instances, who's love of folk music is similar to mine or even Shostakovitch who's symphonies rattle the walls of my listening room. ;)

Doc

Doc, if you want to write about Shosty 7 "Leningrad", or Shosty 9, be my guest. Shosty 5 have been overanalyzed in my book.

Or if you want to make up a story about Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, I'd love to read it. Since you like 20th century Russian, other suggestions would include Myaskovsky's 21st or 27th Symphony, Mosolov's Iron Foundry, or Prokofiev's 5th. All of these are available on Youtube.

Edit: A sneaking suspicion is that Mahler and Bruckner shake your walls too. Mahler 2, 5, 6, or 9, or Bruckner's 9th would be very interesting as well.
 
I'm just pulling your chain Coops. I do listen to those folks mentioned but only to evaluate stereo components. Nothing exercises your gear like a Mahler symphony.

Doc
 
I'm just pulling your chain Coops. I do listen to those folks mentioned but only to evaluate stereo components. Nothing exercises your gear like a Mahler symphony.

Doc

I'm glad that you have an interest! Did I mention Sam Pilafian teaches here at ASU? He's also a BIG cigar freak from what I've heard.
 
Yea, you did. That guy plays a tuba as if it were a flute.

Doc.
 
Congratulations to Kona for being the only BOTL being brave enough to take the challenge! I will sent out your 5 pack as soon as I receive your address via pm.

Kona's story:
The story centers around an only child, daughter of a wealthy businessman,
whose mother died when she was very young, through various stages of her
life and self discovery.


Movement 1

As she is coming of age, we sense the loneliness and naivete of someone who
has been well provided for physically and financially, yet not nurtured
emotionally. She wonders around a huge mansion on her own while her father
is off working hard at his most recent business pursuits. Her companionship
is limited to the staff of servants and her small dog. She has the feeling
she is being followed and her step hastens. Sure enough, one of the
servants, a younger man, who has taken a special interest in her, is not
far behind, lurking from behind corners as she winds her way through the
web of hallways. Finally, about 1:00, she retreats to her own bedroom suite
where she finds comfort and a peacefulness washes over her. It is not long,
though, before she is greeted by her pet who is clearly in a playful mood.
The two set off for a walk around the property. Once again, she feels the
watchful eye of the servant upon her and is at once comforted and made
nervous by his presence. Her feelings of anxiety increase with the distance
from home and she is intrigued by his persistence. The game of cat and mouse
continues across the sprawling estate until eventually, she catches him and
he is forced to reveal himself. Far from view of the manor, there is an
anonymity and the two share an intimate moment. Immediately following the
passionate kiss, the servant pushes her away, recognizing the impossibility
of the affair and he disappears into the wooded path and she is once again
left alone.

Scorned by his rejection, she agrees to a date with a potential suitor that
her father has arranged. When he comes to call, the servant, Jeffery, must
attend to his needs. When she observes their interaction she feels
conflicted, “what have I done?” Her suitor has planned a magical night. He
takes her away but she is still thinking about Jeffery. As the night
progresses he askes her why she is so distant. Relizing she could lose him
she become more present to the night at hand and relizes that she is
enjoying his company and his advances. The movement ends with Isabelle
falling asleep dreaming of a happy life with the suitor.




Movement 2

Years later, Isabella returns to the manor with, now, her husband and
children. She is nostalgic and playing with them in the gardens as she
shares with them her childhood memories. She is older now , more mature and
self assured, and is greeted by the house workers but does not see Jeffery.
He has not entered her mind in years. As she is playing with her children
she comes to the spot where she had her first romantic encounter and she
recalls Geoffrey with great fondness. Finally she sees him, gives him a
glance, there is tension, and she goes to see her father. The tension grows
and disappates by the grandfather and grandchildren playing mixed with the
feelings that are coming back to Isabella as she exchanges glances with
Geoffrey. She starts to become conflicted about her old life and her new
life as it is clear that Geoffrey has not forgotten about her. Their tesion
turns from conflict to feelings of romance and she sneeks away to finds time
to with Geoffrey and rekindle her now mature feelings for him. As the visit
is short, this time she leaves him wanting as she is leaving still thinking
fondly of Geoffrey and relizing for herself that they will never be
together.

Movement 3
When her father is ailing, she returns again, this time alone, to a colder
darker house. No one is laughing the halls are quite and the servents have
mostly gone away. She wonders if Geoffery has stayed on.
Movement 4

With the intention of enjoying her father’s estate for their summer home,
Isabella prepares to show her gratitude to Geoffrey and the other staff who
showed her family so much loyalty. struggle.
 
Thanks Coops- sorry I never finished - I work on it with the wife. So she deserves part of the credit.

School work took over.

Thanks for the contest!!

The wife wanted some feedback from the Oboe reed man himself, what did you think Coops? What is the historical story that Brahm's intended?
 
Thanks Coops- sorry I never finished - I work on it with the wife. So she deserves part of the credit.

School work took over.

Thanks for the contest!!

The wife wanted some feedback from the Oboe reed man himself, what did you think Coops? What is the historical story that Brahm's intended?

I don't know if there WAS a real story behind it. What I do know is that Brahms was announced the successor of the German royalty of composers when Beethoven died, and feeling such pressure, it took Brahms TWENTY YEARS to write his first symphony.

Sen me your addy.
 
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