Domenico Cimarosa – Piano Sonatas no. 11 and no. 19 (Danae Kara – piano)

Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801)

Domenico Cimarosa was an Italian composer, violinist, and keyboard player. During his lifetime Cimarosa was known for his more than 60 operas. He also composed vocal music (oratorios, sacred pieces, secular cantatas, hymns and songs) and instrumental music (over 80 keyboard sonatas,chamber music, and other works).

Danae Kara (1953-)

Danae Kara is a Turkish pianist. She gave her debut recital in 1969 when she was 16 years old. Since then Danae Kara has performed in major venues in various European cities, Latin America, in Russia, and the former U.S.S.R.

Here is a recording of Sonata no. 11 and Sonata no. 19 by Domenico Cimarosa played by Danae Kara. The sonatas come from a recording entitled: Domenico Cimarosa – The Piano Sonatas. I hope that you enjoy this music.

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Paul Halley organ improvisation “Dusk/Sunset” at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Paul Halley (1952-) is an English organist, pianist, singer, composer, and choral conductor. He is well known for being a member and composer of the Paul Winter Consort.

From 1977-1989 Paul Halley was the organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. In 1982 Paul Halley recorded a series of organ improvisations on the organ at St. John the Divine on an album entitled Nightwatch. Here is one of those improvisations entitled Dusk/Sunset. The improvisation is based on the hymn tune Picardy. I hope that you enjoy it.

Flight of the Bumblebee -Jenö Lisztes & Roby Lakatos ensemble

The Flight of the Bumblebee is a piece composed by Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov.

Here is a performance of the Flight of the Bumblebee performed by Jenö Lisztes (cimbalom solo) & the Roby Lakatos ensemble.

Jenö Lisztes is one of the world’s cimbalom virtuosos. The cimbalom is a type of hammered dulcimer. I hope that you enjoy this performance.

Gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos and pianist Frantisek Janoska play Brahms Hungarian Dance no.5

Here is a recording of Brahms Hungarian Dance no.5 performed in a gypsy style by gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos and pianist Frantisek Janoska for ABC Radio.

Roby Lakatos is a gypsy violinist who has a family that goes back seven generations of gypsy musicians all the way back to the “King of Gypsy violinist” Janos Bihari. He can play in just about any style (gypsy music, classical, and jazz) and has performed with many of the world’s great orchestras as well as his own ensemble. He makes playing the violin look effortless and doesn’t even break out in a sweat when he plays.

Frantisek Janoska is an up and coming pianist who is comfortable playing gypsy music as well as jazz. He often performs with Roby Lakatos’ ensemble and his brother Roman (a jazz violinist). Frantisek Janoska has his own group which performs gypsy music as well as jazz and classical music in a gypsy style.

J. Haydn – Pieces for Musical Clock

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Joseph Haydn was an Austrian classical composer. He worked for the Esterhazy court for over 30 years and then spent his last years in London, England. Haydn composed over 104 symphonies, 80 string quartets, about 50 piano sonatas, two famous oratorios, The Seasons, The Creation, and other works.

Here are six pieces that Haydn wrote for a musical clock. They are performed on a pipe organ by Bruno Vlahek. I hope that you enjoy these delightful little pieces.

Frederick ll King of Prussia – Flute Concerto no.4 in D Major

Frederick II King of Prussia (1712-1786)

Frederick II King of Prussia (Frederick the Great) was a German monarch, patron of the arts, flute player, and composer. Frederick had his own musical ensemble with which he would perform from time to time. He had some of the finest musicians in Europe in his ensemble. Among the famous musicians in Frederick’s ensemble were C.H. Graun (Kapellmeister and opera composer), Johann Joachim Quantz (composer and flute virtuoso), and C.P.E. Bach (his accompanist and one of J.S. Bach’s famous musical sons).

Frederick the Great composed flute sonatas, flute concertos, and several arias for C.H. Graun’s operas. He also wrote librettos for several operas including Graun’s Montezuma (1755).

Here is a recording of Frederick the Great’s Flute Concerto no.4 in D Major. Unfortunately I do not know who the flute soloist or orchestra is because the person who posted the recording on youtube neglected to mention that information.

Clara Schumann – Piano Trio op.17

Clara Schumann (1819-1896)

Clara Schumann was a German pianist, composer, and the wife of the famous composer Robert Schumann. She took piano lessons from her father Friedrich Wieck. Soon she was having great success touring as a virtuoso pianist. As a pianist Clara was praised for her performances of Chopin, her husband’s music, and Brahms. She was known for her thoughtful interpretations and singing tone. Clara premiered many of Robert Schumann’s compositions and prepared a complete edition of his music.

Clara’s music was imaginative and her method of composing was very controlled. Notable among her many compositions are the Piano Trio op.17 (considered to be her masterpiece) and her op.23 songs.

Here is a recording of Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio op.17 performed by Micaela Gelius, Sreten Krstic, and Stephan Haack. I could not find the first movement played by the same musicians because the person who posted the trio posted the fourth movement twice. Here is the second movement, third movement, and fourth movement.