Thank you for your kind words, Dennis. And I agree — these Branching Out posts are ideal for microdosing on melancholy music!
Glad you enjoyed the Barber. A few weeks I ago I heard the Minnesota Orchestra perform his "Medea's Dance of Vengeance." Definitely recommend a listen as another example of his standout work inspired by Greek mythology.
Oct 21, 2023·edited Oct 21, 2023Liked by Michael Cirigliano II
Thanks for the recommendation! I also find your discriminating curation of recordings quite helpful. (That particular recording of Barber's Andromache's Farewell sounds great - even via YouTube).
Four works, how lucky are we?! And such gorgeous selections. You better believe I listened to the Liturgy in its entirety this fine Sunday. The quote you included from Tchaikovsky to his patron is everything (right down to the incense!) Couldn’t have put it better myself. I love this spinoff idea! Plus I got a bonus Rachmaninov spinoff in the YT comments section! Thanks for all the work you put into this... makes my night each time 💙
Thanks, Katie — I’m just as lucky to have a reader like you! Glad you’re enjoying the idea of these branching out posts. 💙
That Tchaikovsky quote makes me want to step back in a church for the first time in years just to smell the incense and feel the eeriness of the quiet. He’s just as good as painting a scene with words as he is with music!
I'm glad you found this Substack as well! I hope you enjoy your time exploring the melancholy music I feature here. And thanks for your offer to be my guide to jazz ... I just subscribed to your publication! 💜
I think it's a good format: I just wish I'd had something like this years ago when I wanted to learn more about classical music and didn't know where start. I enjoyed the Tchaikovsky. Thanks very much!
You’re very welcome, Jules! So glad you enjoyed. You can definitely count on me to be your guide through the ocean of classical music in the months and years ahead. 😃
What a fantastic spinoff project. It's both great writing and very useful for me! I've saved the article as a playlist for my writing on Monday.
The way you talk about music really reminds me of the way my friend and pianist Jacqueline talks about it. We did an MA together and she was really interested in the stories and cultural sides of music (as it fits into other parts of culture, and philosophy). If you ever visit Hong Kong, I have to put you two in touch!
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Kate! Warms my heart that you’ll be listening to this music as you write. 💜
Your friend Jacqueline sounds like a kindred spirit, indeed. One I’d be thrilled to meet should my travels take me to Hong Kong — or hers to Minnesota!
This is an article that I'll savour over several separate readings, Michael. I really enjoyed the Samuel Barber piece. It was a revelation.
You're performing a public service. :)
Thank you for your kind words, Dennis. And I agree — these Branching Out posts are ideal for microdosing on melancholy music!
Glad you enjoyed the Barber. A few weeks I ago I heard the Minnesota Orchestra perform his "Medea's Dance of Vengeance." Definitely recommend a listen as another example of his standout work inspired by Greek mythology.
Thanks for the recommendation! I also find your discriminating curation of recordings quite helpful. (That particular recording of Barber's Andromache's Farewell sounds great - even via YouTube).
That means so much — thank you, Dennis! (And Arroyo is truly a goddess in that recording.)
Four works, how lucky are we?! And such gorgeous selections. You better believe I listened to the Liturgy in its entirety this fine Sunday. The quote you included from Tchaikovsky to his patron is everything (right down to the incense!) Couldn’t have put it better myself. I love this spinoff idea! Plus I got a bonus Rachmaninov spinoff in the YT comments section! Thanks for all the work you put into this... makes my night each time 💙
Thanks, Katie — I’m just as lucky to have a reader like you! Glad you’re enjoying the idea of these branching out posts. 💙
That Tchaikovsky quote makes me want to step back in a church for the first time in years just to smell the incense and feel the eeriness of the quiet. He’s just as good as painting a scene with words as he is with music!
Agreed and likewise! It’s been a hot minute! 😅
So glad I found your Substack as I’ve been wanting to learn more about classical. The Debussy piece is so beautiful. Can’t wait to do more listening.
And I’d love to help with jazz listening if I can! :)
I'm glad you found this Substack as well! I hope you enjoy your time exploring the melancholy music I feature here. And thanks for your offer to be my guide to jazz ... I just subscribed to your publication! 💜
Thank you so much for subbing! 🙏🙏
I think it's a good format: I just wish I'd had something like this years ago when I wanted to learn more about classical music and didn't know where start. I enjoyed the Tchaikovsky. Thanks very much!
You’re very welcome, Jules! So glad you enjoyed. You can definitely count on me to be your guide through the ocean of classical music in the months and years ahead. 😃
That's great, Michael! Bring it on! 😊
What a fantastic spinoff project. It's both great writing and very useful for me! I've saved the article as a playlist for my writing on Monday.
The way you talk about music really reminds me of the way my friend and pianist Jacqueline talks about it. We did an MA together and she was really interested in the stories and cultural sides of music (as it fits into other parts of culture, and philosophy). If you ever visit Hong Kong, I have to put you two in touch!
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Kate! Warms my heart that you’ll be listening to this music as you write. 💜
Your friend Jacqueline sounds like a kindred spirit, indeed. One I’d be thrilled to meet should my travels take me to Hong Kong — or hers to Minnesota!