It is odd that you just posted a Vaughn William piece, as I logged in for that purpose myself this morning. I live in the intermountain west region of the United States. For those who don't know, that is the northern part of the Rocky Mountains within the United States. Often, I spend a good amount of my summer outdoors traveling, camping, and hiking in the Mountains. When I do, I usually make a playlist of classical music to take along with me. I find that the natural line common to classical music is best suited to the mountain landscapes. One of the songs I always put on these playlists is "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughn Williams.
I was tempted to post Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis or 5 Variants of Dives and Lazarus, but everyone knows those, so here's "In the Fen Country", which is where I am at the moment. The northern part of the Norfolk Fens, just south of The Wash, becomes "Marshland". Apologies for the painting accompanying the music. Hills and chalk are not generally expected in a Fen landscape!
One thing that has always interested me is the stylistic differences between nations. How, based on cultural themes, a composer will treat form and instrumentation completely differently. For instance, what do you think about the stylistic differences between these three pieces (not if they are better or worse, but what are the stylistic differences and how do they fit culturally)? Each is modernist and each, a violin concerto. Sorry, the recordings of each are less than great.
Wintereis Wrote:One thing that has always interested me is the stylistic differences between nations. How, based on cultural themes, a composer will treat form and instrumentation completely differently. For instance, what do you think about the stylistic differences between these three pieces (not if they are better or worse, but what are the stylistic differences and how do they fit culturally)? Each is modernist and each, a violin concerto. Sorry, the recordings of each are less than great....
To be honest I'd have to give a much more serious listen if I am to approach your question properly. I didn't know any of these concerti, so thanks for bringing them to my attention. Presumably all composed during the 1930s? Barber and Britten were still in their 20s while Prokofiev was about 20 years older I think ... I've had a long day and can't do the sums. Of the three only Prokofiev seems to be referencing himself. I heard a nod in the direction of his Classical Symphony, but also some Stravinsky-like rhythms. It wasn't a surprise to read that he wrote this for one of the soloists in his Sonata for Two Violins; Stravinsky having just composed a sonata for the other. The Britten had little of the air and space which I tend to associate with his later work. In terms of texture more a wayward descendant of Elgar through Vaughan Williams, but without all that old-fashioned tune-writing
What piece of classical music do you like?
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