Composers' 'lighter' works

[LMcD]

Some of the most felicitous examples of the compositional skills of certain composers are to be found in 'incidental' pieces and works written for the stage and others that can be covered by the term 'light'. Sibelius wrote a lot of music for the stage which is immediately appealing and often more obviously tuneful than, say, the symphonies. Elgar's use of orchestral forces to create delicate sound worlds is on display in such works as the Wand Of Youth suites and Dream Children. (I've just been listening to his music for 'King Arthur' - can I get that striding march tune out of my head - no I can't!). Nielsen's 'Aladdin' music is most attractive and well worth a listen.

[gradus]

Some of the most felicitous examples of the compositional skills of certain composers are to be found in 'incidental' pieces and works written for the stage and others that can be covered by the term 'light'. Sibelius wrote a lot of music for the stage which is immediately appealing and often more obviously tuneful than, say, the symphonies. Elgar's use of orchestral forces to create delicate sound worlds is on display in such works as the Wand Of Youth suites and Dream Children. (I've just been listening to his music for 'King Arthur' - can I get that striding march tune out of my head - no I can't!). Nielsen's 'Cinderella' music is most attractive and well worth a listen.

Arthur's Passage to Avalon from the King Arthur music struck me as memorable when first I heard it on the radio, odd that it is not better known.

[Nick Armstrong]

Some of the most felicitous examples of the compositional skills of certain composers are to be found in 'incidental' pieces and works written for the stage and others that can be covered by the term 'light'.

Agreed! With Shostakovich being the example that first springs to my mind....

[richardfinegold]

Mozart has to be the Master of taking “occasional “ music and elevating it to greatness. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Gran Partita and the other Harmoniemusik Wind Serenades, many others

[Quarky]

Stravinsky's last work - The owl and the pussycat .

A lighter work - for Stravinsky, that is.....

[Flay]

Bruckner's Lancer-Quadrille

[Stanfordian]

Bruckner's Lancer-Quadrille

Ah yes, I read that Bruckner was a keen dancer.

[LMcD]

Ah yes, I read that Bruckner was a keen dancer.

Bruckner and Du Beke - The Two Antons

[rauschwerk]

Stravinsky: Scherzo à la Russe, Tango, Circus Polka

Honegger: Pastorale d'été

Vaughan Williams: The Running Set

[Quarky]

Stravinsky's arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner.

That nearly landed him in jail, courtesy Boston Police. A message for today, I think.....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Stravinsky's arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner.

That nearly landed him in jail, courtesy Boston Police. A message for today, I think.....

Beyoncé should have been the one in jail, for singing (or miming to) it in 4/4 time.

[Bryn]

Beyoncé should have been the one in jail, for singing (or miming to) it in 4/4 time.

Rather after the fashion of Cornelius Cardew's Red Flag Prelude, eh?

[LMcD]

Mozart has to be the Master of taking “occasional “ music and elevating it to greatness. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Gran Partita and the other Harmoniemusik Wind Serenades, many others

Agreed! At his best, he compares quite favourably with Elgar.

[Serial_Apologist]

Stravinsky's arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner.

That nearly landed him in jail, courtesy Boston Police. A message for today, I think.....

Had a strong influence on Jimi Hendrix's version of it at Monterey, '68.

NOT!

[cloughie]

Had a strong influence on Jimi Hendrix's version of it at Monterey, '68.

NOT!

Hendix had probably been on the Spangles!