Tritsch-Tratsch Polka

Tritsch-Tratsch Polka

A lively polka by Johann Strauss II.

Written in 1858.

Wikipedia entry here.

[Symphony Orchestra]

Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (2016)

Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel

[Orchestra and Choir]

Vienna Philhamonic and Vienna Boys Choir (2012) 

New Year Concert 2012 in Vienna

Conducted by Mariss Jansons

HIGHLIGHT 1
 

[Solo Piano]
Paraphrase by Cziffra
A supervirtuoso arrangement!

Performed by Yuja Wang (2010)
At the Verbier Festival 2010

Energetic and exhilarating.
Breathtaking technique, at breakneck speed.
Perfectly executed!

Paraphrase for Solo Piano by Cziffra
Running Score by tomekkobialka

HIGHLIGHT 2
 

[Piano Duet (Four Hands)]

Arranged and Performed by Scott Brothers Duo (Jonathan and Tom Scott)

Lively arrangement and tight performance. 
Very nice texturing with twinkly bits keeping up the momentum of the piece.
 Captures the mood of the polka perfectly.

Minute Waltz

Minute Waltz

Probably the most popular and well-known
of all piano waltzes by Frederic Chopin.

Technically known as Waltz in D-flat major Op 64 No 1.
Some interesting paraphrases. 

Wiki link here.

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?

(1969)

Music written by Michel Legrand

Song written for the film The Happy Ending.
Nominated for Academy Award 1969 for Best Original Song.
Melancholic and mystical.
Unusual harmonic minor scale in opening melody.
Changes from minor to major key.
A good candidate for reharmonization and improvisation.

Wiki entry here.

Second Anniversary Post

Second Anniversary Post

This is the second anniversary of this blog

which was launched on 8 August 2015.

Interesting Music Tutorials

INTERESTING MUSIC TUTORIALS

Some interesting music tutorials found online.
These channels also have other interesting tutorial videos.

Tritone Substitution
(by Jazz Duets)

Good introduction with useful graphical illustrations.

Gymnopédie No. 1 by Satie

Gymnopédie No. 1

by Erik Satie

Minimalist piano piece
by French composer Erik Satie.
Part of a set of three Gymnopédies.
Simple, melancholic, tranquil.
Interesting harmonic structure.
Precursor to ambient music.
Wiki link here.

Bach's Partita No.3 in E Major for Violin

Bach's Partita No. 3 for Violin in E Major

Originally written for solo violin.
Exquisite, well-balanced and calming.

Six movements.

Three movements transcribed for piano by Rachmaninoff:

Prelude, Gavotte, Gigue.
Very skilfully transcribed.
Interesting voicing and harmonic structure.
Maintains the essence and character of the original composition.

Wiki entry here.