Jan 17, 2019
There are very few works of art that have had such a profound influence on classical composers than Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This week on Sticky Notes we take a look at 5 different settings of the play by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Berlioz, Gounod, and Bernstein. Its no accident that I chose an overture, a ballet, a...
Jan 10, 2019
This week we dive into one of the great Early Romantic symphonies, Schubert's 9th. Mysteries have shrouded this symphony ever since it was heard for the first time, long after Schubert's death. Despite, or because of, its radical simplicity and "heavenly length," this symphony remains controversial to this day, with...
Jan 3, 2019
We're kicking off 2019 with a bang with an exploration of the Bach Cello Suites. These pieces represent the apex of the path of every cellist. We'll go through the history of the Suites, including their disappearance, rediscovery, and now ubiquity. We'll then look at one movement from each of the Suites, comparing...
Dec 27, 2018
Ring in the New Year with a look back at one of the most famous pieces of music ever written, Beethoven's 5th symphony! This symphony shattered conventions and built new ones that have endured in music until this very day. We'll take a look at how Beethoven built this revolutionary symphony, and how he both borrowed...
Dec 20, 2018
What is there to say about this ubiquitous Holiday classic? Quite a lot, actually! This week's show will delve into the complicated process that brought the ballet to life, the not so successful premiere, and the brilliant and characteristic music that has made it such an enduring classic. This episode is meant not...