The Fine Art of Listening

Sergei Diaghilev, head of the Ballet Russes (a French organization, despite its name and artistic director), is responsible for the creation of the finest works of the early 20th century. While the most famous production is no doubt Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, you can read the list of other works which the company commissioned here – and it’s pretty amazing.

One of those works is The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel de Falla. The music, derived from traditional Spanish dances, is nothing groundbreaking. However, being composed just after the end of World War I in 1919, it does demonstrate how the conflict triggered a sudden return to a more conservative musical style. (More proof of this can be seen in Stravinsky; he caused quite a ruckus with The Rite in 1913, but composed the docile, neoclassical Pulcinella in 1920.)

Deeply moving music sometimes tells a harrowing narrative, has a long backstory, speaks from the depths of depression, or is woven with deep philosophical thought. But sometimes the best stuff requires no explanation – like the haunting Valse Triste. Thank you, Jean Sibelius. Why speak words when you can communicate like this?

Yesterday, parents over the world celebrated the start of the school year (while teachers mourned). How about another school-themed overture?

The School for Scandal is an 18th century English play, which foreshadows BBC costume comedies and all their predictable characters. There isn’t exactly a school in the play; however, Samuel Barber wrote an overture for it while he was still a student – he was a mere 21 years old. Not bad for a college project! It has since remained one of his most-popular and most-performed works.