Summertime listening
CLASSICAL
BACH - Gould (1955) Goldberg Variations
This is the overwhelming favorite of WQXR listeners if they were stranded on a desert island and could only listen to one piece of music. The performance is even more intense and life changing if you can hang out on your porch or walk on the boardwalk and hopefully not have to go to work. I think this will never be duplicated.
BACH - Brandenberg Concerti
On a summer morning, rain or shine, the six Brandenberg Concerti will get your day off to a great start.
MOZART - Clarinet Concerto in A (Sabine Meyers or De Peyer)
If there is such a thing as a “perfect piece” of music, where you just want to kiss every note, this piece is for you.
MOZART - Clarinet Quintet in A major K581 - Sabine Meyers and the Armida Quartet
Whatever Mozart had in his head when he wrote this piece, he would call Ms. Meyers an angel. Stunningly beautiful chamber music. Don’t miss the theme and variations of the last movement.
MENDELSSOHN - Symphony #4 in A major, Op. 90 (The Italian)
If you’ve never made it to the boot, this piece is the next best thing. Close your eyes, click your heels three times and you’re in Italy. Just wonderful.
FAURE - Dolly Suite Op 56 for four hand piano
So beautiful. If you don’t know it, I guarantee you will love it.
RAVEL - Mother Goose Suite (Ma Mere L’Oye), originally written for four hand piano, then orchestrated by Ravel
Stick with the four hand piano version. Intoxicating beauty.
Blogger’s Note: There is a preponderance of impressionism due to its dreamy evanescence which lends itself to summertime.
DEBUSSY - Children’s Corner (1906 - 1908)
A collection of six delightful pieces for piano which Debussy wrote for his daughter Chouchou. If you haven’t already played it (it is technically challenging) you are going to love it. “Jimbo’s Lullaby”, “Snowflakes are Dancing” and “The Little Shepherd” are three of the gems in this beloved collection.
DEBUSSY - “Jardins Sous La Pluie” (Gardens in the Rain)
Evocative of rain falling on glass windowpanes, as in a greenhouse. The very soul of Impressionism.
DEBUSSY - La Mer
A sweeping orchestral masterpiece, Debussy loved capturing the interplay of light on water (see Clair de Lune). This singular piece is in three movements: “From Dawn to Noon on the Sea”, “Play of Waves”, and “Dialogue of the Wind and Sea”.
COPLAND - Appalachian Spring (1944)
Originally written as a ballet for Martha Graham, Copland subsequently orchestrated it and it is his best known piece. Great for summer listening, its main melody, interwoven throughout the piece is the Shaker song “Simple Gifts”.
POP/ROCK SUMMER LISTENING
BEACH BOYS - Classic summer tunes
The following six songs were the only ones that made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart:
Kokomo (1988)
I Get Around (1964)
Surfin USA
Good Vibrations
Help Me Rhonda
THE BEATLES
The Fab Four hold the all time record of TWENTY NUMBER 1 Billboard 100 hits. Picking my favorites is like asking “who’s your favorite child?” All of them, of course. So here are my personal favorites:
Let it Be
Yesterday
Long and Winding Road
Hard Day’s Night
I Want to Hold Your Hand
WHITNEY HOUSTON
A once in a generation powerhouse voice, her death was a tragic loss to the world. My favorite songs:
Saving All My Love for You (1985)
How Will I Know
Greatest Love of All
All at Once
I Will Always Love You
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN & JOHN TRAVOLTA
Summer Nights
FLEETWOOD MAC
Rumors
CAROLE KING
Tapestry
JAMES TAYLOR - Personal favorites:
Fire and Rain
Shower the People
How Sweet It Is
Song for You Far Away
Secret of Life
You’ve Got a Friend
SADE
Smooth Operator
Hang on to Your Love
Diamond Life
WILL SMITH, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Summertime
ASTRUD GILBERTO & STAN GETZ
Girl from Ipanema
ROD STEWART
Maggie May
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Born to Run
BOB DYLAN
Blood on the Tracks
Hope you enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
