Debussy: Masques

1. how you come across to it:
At first I'm attracted by the title - usually I appeal to works exploring the theme of mask/ambiguity/disguise.

2. why this piece?
The piece is written during the escapade with his newly met lover, Emma Bardac (who was once the mistress of Faure), around the time he composed L'isle joyeuse. One may expect the piece as thrilling as L'isle joyeuse. On the contrary, it's dark and neurotic.

3. (and...)
Marguerite Long wrote of Masques:
"I hear Masques – a tragedy for piano one might call it – as a sort of transparency of Debussy’s character… He was torn with poignant feelings which he preferred to mask with irony. The title Masques represents an ambiguity which the composer protested with all his might: “It is not the Italian comedy, it is the tragic expression of existence”"

http://www.litart.co.uk/isle.htm#Masques

Bernstein: Candide, "I'm easily assimilated"

1. how you come across to it:
Re-watched Candide during some boring typing.

2. why this piece?
Also called Old Lady's Tango, very interesting words. Because it's at Act II, it's easily overlooked when watching the whole opera.

3. (and...)
Added by Leon Chu:


Lyrics

Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4

1. how you come across to it:
I'm conducting it tomorrow.

2. why this piece?
The music is well into my head during this month's preparation. Though I am still on my way to understand it, to hear the simplicity out from the complex texture, and to learn the emotion within. Still getting there, but already it's a great experience.

3. (and...)

Sibelius: Kullervo, Op. 7

1. how you come across to it:
First met it when typing information of this BIS box set Sibelius Edition - Vocal & Orchestra in naxos. Now met it again in monthly assignment from Hi-fi Review

2. why this piece?
It is really an overwhelming experience to be absorbed in this 80 minutes long choral symphony, with the dark and haunting Sibelius sound.

3. (and...)
Sibelius!

John Adams: Grand Pianola Music

1. how you come across to it:
i think in HKPO concert a couple of years ago

2. why this piece?
a pure sentimental piece, u can clear all things in your mind

3. (and...)
Part II On the Dominant Divide "was an experiment in applying my minimalist techniques to the barest of all possible chord progressions, I-V-I." - John Adams

Stockhausen: Stimmung

1. how you come across to it:
From various sources, but first on a certain contemporary music programne many years ago on Radio 4. Excerpt of it is used as the intro music to this programme. When I finally able to hear this entirely on the Hyperion CD, it can't escape my ear.


2. why this piece?
not simply about overtones, etc. It's a piece of art which let the sacred and the erotic sit together comfortably. Sexual fantasy in calmness, evocation within meditation.

3. (and...)
listen, listen, listen

Orchestral excerpts from Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

1. how you come across to it:
Okay, this is a repeat, but because of work, I cannot escape from it in a short period of time. Although not obliged in my job, I keep repeatedly listen to those excerpts that are purely orchestral -- the act I sex scene, the act III interludes, etc. They are so colourful and exhilarating, even the stage may be empty, your ear will not have rest!

2. why this piece?
This is obsessive, huh?

3. (and...)

Trisdee na Patalung: Eternity

1. how you come across to it:
I found that piece in my net-friend's (the composer) Youtube account.

2. why this piece?
It's sooooooooooo moving, that's all. So bad that I can only watch an except, I believe if I listen to/watch the whole piece, I must cry.

3. (and...)
The combination of Pi Java (a Thai traditional double-reed wind instrument) and string orchestra is interesting. And the music itself borrowed traditional Buddhist funeral music, since the piece is composed in memoriam HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra (1923-2008), a nice multi-cultural piece.




Somnuek Saeng-Arun, Pi Java

Siam Philharmonic Orchestra

Conducted by the composer

Schnittke: Trio Sonata (orch. Yuri Bashmet)

1. how you come across to it:
simply forgot, but I can remember the first hearing didn't give me strong impression until later hearings.
2. why this piece?
Schnittke is a master of 'dark' music. And this is a masterpiece of such desperate darkness.
3. (and...)
DO NOT listen to this when one is extremely depressed.

Ravel: Introduction et Allegro = Om Shanti Om

1. how you come across to it:
Watched Om Shanti Om at mouse (and cats)'s place one Sunday. The melody popped up in my brain for a few days afterwards.

2. why this piece?
At first I couldn't figure out where this melody came from. Later my inner ear heard some harp sound get mixed with some shots from the bollywood blockbuster - then I'm shocked to find out I got both Ravel and Om Shanti Om mixed in my brain, playing together! That's how I figured out they actually resemble each other.

3. (and...)
Mouse suggested Ravel's exotic use of his favourite Phrygian mode may explain that. What about this - maybe the film score is a reincarnation of Ravel? They are even in the same key/range!

goodmorninggloria: black coffee & broom candy (CD album of 10 songs)

1. how you come across to it:
逛阿麥書房時聽到覺得很好聽，買下了。是一隊本地的 band，主音和作曲的叫 gloria tang 。

2. why this album?
Simple yet good music arrangement, very comfortable and relaxing.
With some jazz flavour, sometimes the chord change are just astonishingly refreshing.
And I like bossa nova, and coffee!
When pop songs touch me, usually it is the lyrics, and the lyrics are just touching.

3. (and...)
The brown coffee-colour CD cover design is simple but effective.
With just a small icon (like a road-sign of no U-turn), you get the basic idea of each song.

Brahms (orch. Schoenberg): Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor

1. how you come across to it:
First time in Munich, when I've decided to kill time with my travelmates, before the night train to Berlin, by attending a concert of Munich Philharmonic and never knew the programme nor conductor. They played, then fell in love with this piece.

2. why this piece?
It's Brahms but heavily made up by Schoenberg, and it's a good piece of orchestral exam. Every instrument, from violin down to xylophone, clarinet to trombone, has chance to shine. Horn's melody in 2nd movement must be a nightmare for all horn players in the world.

3. (and...)
I think de Waart likes this piece very much, otherwise he won't squeeze HKPO to play the thing with their utmost effort. Darkly brilliant.