Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture"

Many people mistakenly believe that the "1812 Overture" is associated with the War of 1812 between England and America. However, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," composed in 1880, commemorates Russia's defense of its homeland against Napoleon of France. Still, it is a common accompaniment to Independence Day fireworks displays in the USA, especially since Arthur Fiedler's 1974 Boston Pops concert. Expect to hear cannons! Read more here and here.

Ten Musical Pieces from Baroque to Romantic

The high school students in our home school co-op just read a lesson from the Notgrass World History Curriculum about music history.   Here is a selection of 10 pieces from the composers featured in the chapter.  I haven't personally listened to all of these.  Some of them are full-length, and the students might want to just listen to several minutes.  I hope they will be inspired to look up more pieces for these composers and for other composers in these musical periods.  I will try to compile a list of 20th century links soon.

For more information, be sure to visit these classical music sites:

• http://www.classicalarchives.com/
• http://www.classical.net
• http://www.classicalconnect.com/

Baroque

 

• Antonio Vivaldi - Four Seasons
• George Frederic Handel - "Water Music" Suite in F Major HWV348 (1)
•  Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concertos No.1 - i: Allegro Moderato 

Classical

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21 - Andante
• Ludwig van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata - Piano Sonata No. 14
• Johannes Brahms - Hungarian Dance No. 5

Romantic 

•  Antonin Dvorak - New World Symphony
•  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake by the Kirov Ballet
•  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture 
• Chopin - Valentina Igoshina - Fantasie Impromptu