Arachnophonia: Suite Espagnole

Posted on November 29, 2023 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a streaming audio version of the solo piano piece “Suite Espagnole”, plus a biography of the composer Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909).. Thanks, Xipeng!

Suite Espagnole by Isaac Albéniz

Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)

Isaac Albéniz, a Spanish musical virtuoso, and his “Suite Espagnole”

Isaac Albéniz was a Spanish composer and pianist known for his significant contributions to Spanish classical music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on May 29, 1860, in Camprodon, Catalonia, Spain, Albéniz demonstrated remarkable musical talent from a young age. He received his initial musical training from his father and then studied in various prestigious institutions across Europe. His compositions often feature intricate rhythms, evocative melodies, and a passionate, virtuosic piano technique.

I have been studying “Suite Espagnole” recently. It is one of Albéniz’s notable compositions, showing his profound affinity for Spanish themes and musical traditions. The suite is comprised of eight pieces for solo piano, each representing a different Spanish region, and the piece “Granada” is one of my favorites. It represents the Andalusian city of Granada, which is located in southern Spain and is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture, including the Alhambra, a historical palace and fortress complex. This composition is a showcase of Albéniz’s ability to blend classical piano techniques with the traditional sounds of Spanish folk music. Learning this piece always reminds me the memories I spent a summer in Granada with my family.

There’s a biography of this wonderful composer in our music library, Isaac Albeniz: Portrait of a Romantic by Walter Aaron Clark, and feel free to check out the recording, Iberia & Suite española / Albéniz, which is available online!

Parsons Playlists: Music for Two Pianos from Martha Argerich

Posted on November 14, 2022 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features works for two pianos performed by Argentinian classical concert pianist Martha Argerich and friends.

Music for Two Pianos from Martha Argerich

Martha Argerich has always been one of my favorite pianists, and it’s amazing how two pianos can produce the sound of an entire orchestra. Enjoy this exhilarating complete performance!

Tchaikovsky: Suite from the Nutcracker, Op. 71a Arranged for two pianos by Nicolas Economou (Martha Argerich/ Lilya Zilberstein)

Rachmaninov: Suite No.2 in C Major, Op.17 (Martha Argerich / Gabriela Montero)

Rachmaninov: 6 Morceaux, Op.11 (Martha Argerich / Lilya Zilberstein)

Brahms: Sonata for 2 Pianos in F minor, Op. 34b (Martha Argerich / Lilya Zilberstein)

Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn for 2 Pianos, Op. 56b “St. Antoni Chorale” (Martha Argerich / Polina Leschenko)

Prokofiev / Symphony No.1 in D Major, Op. 25 “Classical” Arr. Rikuya Terashima (Martha Argerich / Nelson Freire)

Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos, K. 448 (Martha Argerich / Daniel Barenboim)

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeyn2KswGm9bpnTmsPUH3n_z

Parsons Playlists: 19th & 20th Century Piano Music

Posted on November 22, 2021 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today we are featuring a collection of 19th and 20th century piano music curated by Music Library student manager Ryan (class of 2022).

Samuel Barber – Excursions, Op. 20

Erik Satie – Trois Gymnopédies No. 1

Erik Satie – Trois Gymnopédies No. 2

Erik Satie – Trois Gymnopédies No. 3

Frédéric Chopin – Waltz No. 7 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 64

Frédéric Chopin – Nocturne for Piano, No. 8 in D Flat Major, Op. 27

Franz Liszt – La Campanella

Franz Liszt – Liebestraume S541/R211, No. 3. Nocturne in A-Flat Major

Here is a link to the full playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyweOia4E_CpnV5TG7iyQO0

Arachnophonia: Claude Debussy “Claire de Lune”

Posted on October 25, 2021 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Deisy (class of 2024) and features a streaming version of Debussy’s classic piano piece “Claire de Lune”. Thanks, Deisy!

Claude Debussy

“Claire de Lune”

One of the big names in classical music, Claude Debussy, has greatly influenced the movement of music and art even past his years. His work is a great way to have a study session and or even to play on a rainy evening to unwind.
There is something so calming about his music. I love to play it when I’m studying and when I’m falling asleep, especially the song “Claire de Lune”. It has been in my playlist since I can remember and has always made me feel like I am part of some Disney movie.

Debussy has been a source of inspiration for many artists. Art is the inspiration of other art, we gather things we like and make them our own. Because of this, we see that Debussy is a very important aspect of the art community. Painters use his music to inspire a story in their artwork, theaters use his music to add emotion to a play, pianists use his music as inspiration for their own pieces. Because art is a cycle of borrow, transform, repeat, we can understand how influential a big musician was to an artist even in the 21st century.

Sometimes when studying, you don’t want to sit in total silence but you also don’t want to listen to Drake’s new album, Certified Lover Boy. Debussy’s music is a great balance of both, it gives you some background noise but will not distract you with lyrics.