Now that we've established our base range of products, we can start adding to them! This is the second product in our "Composer Activity Guide" range, for children ages 0-6 (with their parents and carers)! The Composer Activity Guides are designed to introduce young children to classical music figures through words, music, and activities. They consist of two types of content: Information pages Activity pages Information pages are laid out with a simple text for parents/carers to read. You may choose to read the information page to the child or relay any relevant details in your own way as they engage with the music and activities. At the bottom of each information page, you will find the title of a classical music work for you and your child to listen to. You can use your favourite streaming service to find the musical works, or just bookmark this page - you will find all the selected works further down! Activities are designed to be initiated and guided by an adult, with the intention of ultimately inspiring the child to continue exploring, playing, and learning independently. We trust that you will utilise both the information and the activities in a way which works for you and your child at their unique developmental stage! After each information page, you will find two stages of activities: Stage 1 is generally most suitable for ages 0-3. Stage 2 is generally most suitable for ages 3-6. This product is currently available as a digital download. How it works: Purchase the product. You will receive a link to download. Print and go! Return to this blog post to listen to the musical excerpts. Ready to buy? Playlist Bought the guide, or just want to listen to some Liszt? Here's our playlist with all the referenced works! Note that some larger works are broken down as multiple tracks. Années de Pèlerinage: Première année: Suisse Liebesträume Hungarian Rhapsodies Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Schwanengesang (No. 7: Ständchen) Schubert: Ständchen Grandes études de Paganini (No. 3: La Campanella) Paganini: La Campanella Chants polonais (No. 1: Zyczenie) Chopin: Zyczenie Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne A Faust Symphony Mephisto Waltzes (No. 1) Learn more about Sound Garden

Take our quiz to see how many you can get right! Once you get your results (including a Liszt pun), scroll down to listen to some of Liszt's works! Totentanz La Campanella Mephisto Waltz Hamlet (Symphonic Poem) Hungarian Dance No. 5 Enfant, si j'étais roi Missa coronationalis Learn more about Sound Garden

Many composers have been inspired by the seasons in their work. Have a listen to our 8 selections inspired by autumn! Below these selections, you will find autumn/fall activities for our four age groups: Adults (18+), Youth (12-18), Childhood (6-12), Early Childhood (0-6). The Four Seasons: L’autunno (Autumn) Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and priest. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. The Four Seasons (Italian: Le quattro stagioni) is a group of four violin concerti (plural of concerto = a work for solo instrument/s and orchestra). They are based on poems (probably written by Vivaldi himself). They are some of the earliest examples of "programme music" - where the music is telling a particular story. Each of the four concerti are divided into three movements, or sections. In "Autumn", the movements and their inspirations based on the poems are as follows: I. Allegro: Peasants singing/dancing after the autumn harvest. II. Adagio molto: The peace and sleep after the party ends. III. Allegro: Hunters with their horns, guns, and dogs. Chanson d'automne (Autumn Song) Reynaldo Hahn Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) was a composer, conductor, music critic, theatre director, and singer. He was born in Venezuela, but moved to France as a young child. He was a child prodigy singer and pianist. At the age of eight, Hahn composed his first songs, and he began studying at the conservatoire in Paris at the age of ten. The "Chanson d'automne" is the first of seven songs in the Chansons grises (Grey Songs) song cycle (set). All the poems in the cycle are by the celebrated poet Paul Verlaine. English translation of the poem: The long sobs of the autumn violins injure my heart with their monotonous lethargy. All choking and pale when the hour sounds, I remember the old days and I weep; And I go where the bad winds blow, they toss me to and fro, like a dead leaf. November Woods Arnold Bax Arnold Bax (1883-1953) was a British composer, poet, and author. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he also had other sources of income, which enabled him to follow his musical career as he saw fit. He was heavily inspired by Celtic and Nordic legends and traditions, particularly in the early years of his career. "November Woods" is an example of a symphonic poem/tone poem - a piece of orchestral music which illustrates or evokes the content of another source, such as a poem, short story, novel, painting, or landscape. According to Arnold Bax, however, the piece is not programme music: "[It] may be taken as an impression of the dank and stormy music of nature in the late autumn, but the whole piece and its origins are connected with certain rather troublous experiences I was going through myself at the time....". The Seasons: Fall John Cage John Cage (1912-1992) was an American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher. His work "The Seasons" is a ballet for solo piano or orchestra. It was commissioned by the Ballet Society in New York, with original choreography by Merce Cunningham. Cage was inspired by the indigenous North American Indians' concept of the seasons: winter is associated with serenity, spring with creation, summer with preservation, and fall/autumn with destruction. "The Seasons" was the first of Cage's compositions to use what he called the gamut composition technique - where he selected particular notes, chords, and other groupings of sounds to highlight. He also used mathematical proportions in this work. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Otoño Porteño Astor Piazzolla Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) was a 20th century Argentinian tango composer. He moved to a rough New York City neighbourhood with his family as a child, and had to learn to take care of himself as his parents worked long hours. When he was at home, he loved to listen to his father's records of the tango orchestras, and was exposed to jazz and classical music from an early age. "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" was written for Piazzolla's five-piece ensemble of violin, piano, electric guitar, double bass, and bandonéon (a type of accordion). Piazzolla himself was a talented bandonéonist, having begun playing when his father spotted the instrument in a pawn shop. "Otono Porteño" is the last of the seasons featured in this work, and highlights the bandonéon, with the other instruments also being featured individually as the piece goes on. It has been performed in a variety of different instrumental arrangements. Ceremonial - An Autumn Ode Tōru Takemitsu Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996) was a Japanese composer and writer. Through his father's music collection, he was exposed to many kinds of music, many of which would have been off-limits in his home country. At age 14, he was conscripted into the army. During this time he was exposed once again to new genres of music, and determined that he wanted to become a composer. Takemitsu loved experimenting with sound and silence, and creating unusual combinations of musical elements. He later began including traditional Japanese instruments in his compositions - "Ceremonial - An Autumn Ode" was the last of his works to do so (it is written for shō and orchestra). This work was written to highlight shō musician Mayumi Miyata. Takemitsu was often inspired by nature - particularly gardens and water, and in this case the season of autumn. Autumn Gardens Einojuhani Rautavaara Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016) was a Finnish composer. His early works were examples of serialism: a technique using a precise series of musical elements to compose. Later, his music became more neoromantic (an artistic movement where music became more emotional, rather than being based on principles such as logic or realism). "Autumn Gardens" is an orchestral work divided into three movements: I. Poetico II. Tranquillo III. Giocoso et leggiero Rautavaara on this piece: "I have often compared composing to gardening. In both processes, one observes and controls organic growth rather than constructing or assembling existing components and elements. I would also like to think that my compositions are rather like ‘English gardens’, freely growing and organic, as opposed to those that are pruned to geometric precision and severity." The Seasons: Autumn Thea Musgrave Thea Musgrave (1928-present) is a Scottish composer. She often highlights historic figures in her operas and other musical theatre works, such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Harriet Tubman ("Harriet, the Woman called Moses"), and Simón Bolívar. Her orchestral works often show her fascination with ‘dramatic-abstract’ musical ideas, and some of her works are also inspired by the visual arts. "The Seasons" was conceived after a visit to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Musgrave came across Piero di Cosimo’s "Caccia Primitiva", inspiring the idea that images related to the four seasons could be a metaphor for the cycles in the life of man. The Academy of St Martin's in the Fields commissioned the work in 1988. In "Autumn", one of the main musical motives includes hunting horns. The overall themes of this season's musical representation are storms, violence, and destruction. Later, the medieval sounds of the mourning "Dies irae" pattern ring out. Our first activity for the week is for the little ones (and parents/carers as required!): Autumn Tree Handprint Design What you'll need: - Paper plate - Paper in autumn/fall colours - Coloured card (for the tree trunk) - Pencil/pen - Child-friendly scissors - Glue What to do: - Using a pencil, trace the child's hand and arm onto the coloured card. Cut out and glue onto the paper plate. - Draw leaf shapes onto the coloured paper. Cut out, arrange, and glue onto the plate. - Add extra decorations as desired! Make a washi tape leaf design! What you'll need: - Coloured card - Several different washi tape designs - Child-friendly scissors - Pencil - Glue/tape What to do: - Fold the coloured card in half width-wise. - On the front of your card, draw a large leaf shape. Cut out. - On the inside of the card, stick down strips of washi tape so that when you close the card, the interior of the leaf template is filled with the washi designs. - Once your work is complete, spread glue around the inside edges of the card and close. Let dry. Done! Clay leaf bowls are a great craft for older children and teens. Perfect for holding keys, trinkets, or phones! Note that you may have to wait a couple of days before you can paint your bowl. What you'll need: - A large leaf - Air drying clay (unless you are clay experts and have access to a kiln!) - Acrylic paints - Acrylic varnish - Rolling pin - Knife - Paper towel - Paper bowl - Paintbrushes What to do: - Take a lump of clay and roll it out with a rolling pin. - Place the leaf so that the veins are going into the clay. Use the rolling pin to push it in enough to make an imprint (but so that you can still remove the leaf easily). - Use the knife to cut around the edges of the leaf. Smooth down the edges as needed. Remove the leaf. - Lay a sheet of paper towel inside of the paper bowl. Carefully lift the clay leaf off your work surface. Place it inside the bowl and gently press it down so it curves according to the shape of the bowl. - Once the clay is dry (check clay instructions), you can decorate it using your acrylic paints. Let dry and then add varnish. Let the varnish dry and you're done! Make a pumpkin painting! What you'll need: - Canvas or wooden board - Pumpkin (or a picture of one) - Pencil - Paintbrushes - Acrylic paints - Varnish/gloss (optional, if you know what you're doing!) What to do: - Sketch the outline of a pumpkin onto your chosen surface. Use the real pumpkin/picture for reference. - Paint and finish as desired - search YouTube/elsewhere online for tips if you're new to painting! Learn more about Sound Garden

You may be wondering "who is the composer of Spring" - that well-known piece of music for violin, string orchestra, and harpsichord that many of us know from our childhoods, from film or television, or from other media. Well, you've come to the right place - we'll tell you who that was in just a moment! Before we answer that question, did you know that many composers have been inspired by the seasons in their work? Have a listen to our 8 selections inspired by spring! Below these selections, you will also find spring activities for our four age groups: Adults (18+), Youth (12-18), Childhood (6-12), Early Childhood (0-6)! The Four Seasons: La primavera (Spring) Antonio Vivaldi The answer to your question is: Antonio Vivaldi! Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and priest. He is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era. The Four Seasons (Italian: Le quattro stagioni) is a group of four violin concerti (plural of concerto = a work for solo instrument/s and orchestra). They are based on poems (probably written by Vivaldi himself). They are some of the earliest examples of "programme music" - where the music is telling a story without the direct use of words/text. Each of the four concerti in this work are divided into three movements, or sections. In "Spring", the movements and their inspirations based on the poems are as follows: I. Allegro: The arrival of spring, birds singing, streams flowing, springtime storms. II. Largo e pianissimo sempre: A goatherd sleeps in a flowery meadow, with his dog at his side. III. Danza pastorale. Allegro: Nymphs and shepherds dancing. Samson et Dalila: Printemps qui commence Camille Saint-Saëns Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) was a French composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He was very successful at school, and was regarded as a musical prodigy. As a young man, he was very interested in the modern music of the day, especially works by Schumann, Liszt and Wagner. His own work was quickly recognised by other top composers, and he greatly influenced the next generation of composers. "Samson et Dalila" is the only one of his operas which obtained and kept a place in the international repertoire. Based on the Biblical story, Saint-Saëns composed the role of Dalila for the famous mezzo-soprano singer and composer Pauline Viardot. The aria "Printemps qui commence" ("Spring begins") is from the first act of the opera. Dalila sings how spring is blossoming and so too is love, but she has been left all alone, desperate for her lover's return. Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: II. Våren (Last Spring) Edvard Grieg Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He was an important figure in helping Norway to form a musical and national identity of their own. Throughout his life, he struggled with respiratory illnesses and infections, and was frequently admitted into medical centres. He was a strong advocate of human rights, even cancelling concerts in protest against injustice. Grieg composed "Two Elegiac Melodies" (1880) for string orchestra. The two movements are instrumental arrangements Grieg made of two of his 12 Melodies, Op. 33, for voice and piano, which are settings of texts by the Norwegian poet and journalist Vinje. Composer David Lang (b. 1957) also wrote a piece based on the text of "Våren". Lang says that "the original poem is a moving description of an old man watching winter change into spring, not knowing if he will live to see another". 2 Pieces for Small Orchestra: I. On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring Frederick Delius Frederick Delius (1862-1934) was a British composer. He was born to a Dutch-German family who were wool merchants, but he was not personally interested in commerce. He was sent to the United States in 1884 to manage an orange plantation, but quickly returned to Europe. However, due to the influence of African-American music, he decided to pursue a career as a composer. The support of other composers, such as Grieg, meant that his family eventually accepted this decision. "On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring" is a tone poem - a piece of orchestral music which illustrates or evokes the content of another source, such as a poem, short story, novel, painting, or landscape. The first theme is an exchange of cuckoo calls. The second theme is based on a Norwegian folk song, "In Ola Valley". The cuckoo calls return before the end of the work. Three Browning Songs, Op. 44: I. The Year's at the Spring Amy Beach Amy Beach (1867-1944) was an American composer and pianist. She was very much a child prodigy, and began composing at age four. Her family struggled to keep up with her talents and behaviour, which were consistent with a possible place on the autism spectrum. Her works received a largely positive critical response, though some critics went to extraordinary lengths to relate her work and success to her sex. Beach was most popular for her songs; "The Year's At the Spring" from Three Browning Songs, Op. 44 is one of her best-known. The poem is by Robert Browning, and is part of his very controversial work "Pippa Passes". The text is as follows: The year’s at the spring, And day’s at the morn; Morning’s at seven; The hill-side’s dew-pearl’d; The lark’s on the wing; The snail’s on the thorn; God’s in His heaven– All’s right with the world! Want to know more about Amy Beach? Check out our product Classical Inspirations: Amy Beach (for ages 6-12)! Trittico botticelliano: I. La Primavera Ottorino Respighi Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, and teacher. As a child, he did not show much interest in music until about the age of 8, though he received lessons from an early age. He then took very quickly to a variety of instruments, and began studying violin and viola at the conservatory in his native Bologna in 1891, also completing his first compositions here. He loved languages, and learned to speak eleven languages fluently in his lifetime. The "Trittico botticelliano" (1927) is a work for chamber orchestra, based on famous paintings by the artist Botticelli. "La Primavera" ("Spring") is based on the controversial painting "Primavera". It depicts the progress of spring, reading from right to left, through a group of representative classical mythological figures. Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) Igor Stravinsky Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. As a child, he did not enjoy school life , but he took to music at an early age. At around eight years old, he attended a performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Sleeping Beauty", which inspired a lifelong interest in ballet composition. Stravinsky partnered with ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev for the creation of some of his most famous works. Diaghilev was the founder of the Ballets Russes company, and commissioned composers to create new works. One of these commissions was "The Rite of Spring", choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky. "The Rite of Spring" is divided into two sections: Adoration of the Earth: rituals celebrating the advent of spring The Sacrifice: a young girl is chosen as a sacrificial victim and dances herself to death. The work was not received well by the public. According to musicologist Richard Taruskin: "It was not Stravinsky's music that did the shocking. It was the ugly earthbound lurching and stomping devised by Vaslav Nijinsky". It is now one of the most recorded classical works. Flowering Jasmine Georgs Pelēcis Georgs Pelēcis (1947-) is a Latvian composer and musicologist. His work is considered to be "new consonant" music, where the intention is for the musical language to be pleasurable and to be understood by both the performers and the audience - a response to the intellectualism which was so prominent in the 20th century in particular. The idea is "if you have something to say, just say it!" In his own words: "I invite my listeners to be aware that the evolution of music has not only been a progression, but also a long sequence of losses. These losses are painful to me...I try to save and regenerate as much as I can. For the average listener, as indeed for me, the scope of classical music...is a paradise that invites us into the most sumptuous realms that the mind of a composer can imagine. The imagination of a composer contemplates and rejoices in a certain ideal, that of sonic perfection in all its dimensions. But what has chased composers from this Garden of Eden? I rather fear that they have often escaped from their own master. As for me, no one has chased me out. So I remain there and I am happy. I see myself as a gardener, part guardian and part creator of the beauty in our communal musical paradise." Activities As the plants SPRING into life, why not make a flower potion with your little one? Fill up a plastic tub with water, collect some flowers (and other bits!), and mix them around with a wooden spoon! Grab some other utensils and practice scooping, pouring, and more! Head to our "Freebies" page (under the "Products" tab) and download our free About The Music/Visualise It worksheet. Choose one or more classical music works from our 8 Classical Music Works about...Spring playlist (on our blog), fill out the left hand side of the worksheet, and get creative with the right hand side! Which kinds of flowers might match the music? Can you create an animation or video inspired by the classical music works on our "8 Classical Music Works about...Spring" playlist? You can use software/programmes such as Canva, Powtoon, Animaker, Pencil2D, or Stykz to get started! What you'll need: - A tin, glass jar, or other container - Soy wax - Candle wick - the height of the container, plus a little extra length - Essential oils of your choice (optional) - Dried flowers - Popsicle sticks - Wooden skewer What to do: - Measure out enough wax to fill up your container twice. - Melt the wax over a low heat (use a double boiler if available), stirring frequently, until fully melted. - Dip the bottom of the wick in the melting wax (or use superglue/hot glue) and use a popsicle stick to press the dipped part down. Place other popsicle sticks to hold it in place. Let set for 5 minutes. - Once the wax has melted, add in around 25 drops of your chosen essential oil (optional) for a tin-sized candle. Mix. - Let cool for a few minutes, and then slowly pour the wax (you can hold the wick, but don't pull on it). Add in dried flowers as you go. Use the skewer to adjust their placement. - Adjust the popsicle sticks to keep the wick in place. Let cool for 4 hours at room temperature. Trim the wick as needed. Learn more about Sound Garden

Our Living Composer for March is Sam Russell - a UK-based guitarist and composer, who specialises in metal and neo-classical music. Sam first became interested in music while at school; he took his first lessons during his lunch break on a 3/4 sized guitar. After a few years' break, Sam recommenced music lessons, trying his hand at drums, bass, and finally coming back to the guitar. He became more interested in rock and metal music during secondary school, and so he began learning the electric guitar. He was heavily influenced by guitar players such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Sam then moved to university to study astrophysics. While at university, he joined a band, with whom he spent four years playing shows across the north of the UK. He then attended the British Institute of Modern Music for a year before moving back to London, where he started teaching guitar. While teaching, Sam continued to study and develop his playing. He recorded Bach’s 1st and 2nd cello suites on electric guitar, and also released an album of original metal songs - "Impetuous Desire". Following the release of his album, he became increasingly interested in studying classical composition, studying counterpoint and composition with George Bellas. He wrote a collection of duets for electric guitar and cello, and also wrote and released a few pieces arranged for orchestra. The end of 2020 represented a time of large compositional output, and Sam has been releasing various compositions over the last few months (with many more to come!). Find out more about Sam: https://www.samrussell.co.uk Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Sam's compositions: Minuet and Trio Theme and Variations for Electric Guitar and Orchestra Ternary Ideas Sam's top 5 classical music picks: Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending Tartini: Devil's Trill Sonata Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" Patrick Cassidy: Vide Cor Meum (from the film "Hannibal") Bach: Cello Suites Learn more about Sound Garden

Announcing: Classical Inspirations: Amy Beach! Classical Inspirations is a series designed to introduce children to classical music figures - connecting the past to the present, integrating different topics of learning, and offering an opportunity for immersion in another world! Our first product of the series centres around American composer Amy Beach. Through reading, listening, and completing a range of activities, your child will learn about the composer's life, about the context in which she lived and composed, and about some of her works. The content is designed to be used by independent readers, or with adult assistance. We hope this product will grow with you and your child! Here's some of the feedback we've been getting so far: "Really great!" "Really interesting!" "Wonderful - the first of its kind that we've experienced and we do a lot of online learning programs!" "We really enjoyed the music and activities!" This product is currently available as a digital download. How it works: Purchase the product. You will receive a link to download. Print and go! Return to this blog post to listen to the musical excerpts. Ready to buy? Playlist Bought the product, or just want to listen to some of Amy Beach's music? Here are all the featured works! Three Piano Pieces, Op. 128 I. Scherzino: A Peterboro Chipmunk II. Young Birches III. A Humming-bird Children's Album, Op. 36 I. Minuet II. Gavotte III. Waltz IV. March V. Polka Four Sketches, Op. 15 I. In Autumn II. Phantoms III. Dreaming IV. Fire-flies Three Browning Songs, Op. 44 I. The Year's At The Spring II. Ah, love, but a day III. I send my heart up to thee Symphony in E Minor, Op. 32 ("Gaelic Symphony") I. Allegro con fuoco II. Alla siciliana - Allegro vivace III. Lento con molto espressione IV. Allegro di molto Further Listening Listen to more of Amy's works and the works that inspired her! Learn more about Sound Garden

With Valentine's Day coming up this weekend, here are some of our favourite classical music works inspired by love! Monteverdi - L'incoronazione di Poppea: Pur ti miro This love duet between the Emperor Nero and his mistress Poppea is found at the very end of the opera, once Poppea has been crowned Empress, and after plenty of deceit, betrayal, jealousy, and death throughout the rest of the story. The role of Nerone (Nero) may be sung by a countertenor male or a mezzo-soprano/contralto female voice. It was originally composed for a castrato (castrated) male voice. The guitar-like instrument with a really long neck which features in this work is called a theorbo, and is part of the lute (instrument) family. POPPEA and NERONE I gaze at you I tighten closer to you I delight in you I am bound to you I no longer suffer I no longer die Oh my life, Oh my treasure. I am yours You are mine My hope, say it, say, The idol of mine, Yes, my love, You are mine, tell me so The idol of mine, Yes, my love, Yes, my heart, my life, yes. I gaze at you I tighten closer to you I delight in you I am bound to you I no longer suffer I no longer die Oh my life, Oh my treasure. Schumann - Myrthen: Widmung The love story of Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck is legendary in classical music history. Both talented musicians, they had to keep their relationship secret for some time as Clara's father did not approve of Robert. Eventually, they were able to marry in 1840. Robert composed a song cycle (set of songs) called "Myrthen" as a wedding present to his new wife. The first song, "Widmung" (Dedication), is Robert's love song to his better half! The text is by Friedrich Rückert. You my soul, you my heart, You my bliss, O you my pain, You my world in which I live, My heaven you, in which I float, O you my grave, into which I gave my sorrow forever! You are rest, you are peace, You are bestowed on me from heaven. Your love for me gives me my worth, Your eyes transfigure me in mine, You raise me lovingly above myself, My good spirit, my better self! Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Elgar - Salut d'amour Elgar composed this piece in 1888 for his fiancée Caroline Alice Roberts as an engagement gift. His beloved was fluent in German, so he called it "Liebesgruss" (Love's greeting). It had a French dedication: "à Carice" (CAR-oline Al-ICE) - two years later, Carice was the name the couple gave to their daughter. The piece was first published in editions for violin and piano, cello and piano, solo piano, and small orchestra. Eventually, the piece was re-titled "Salut d'amour" so more copies of the score would sell in France and elsewhere in Europe. Mahler - Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto The Adagietto from Gustav Mahler's fifth symphony (1901-1902) is the most frequently performed of his works. According to a letter from his wife Alma to conductor Willem Mengelberg, Mahler left a poem for her with this work. The poem translates as follows: In which way I love you, my sunbeam, I cannot tell you with words. Only my longing, my love and my bliss can I with anguish declare. Unfortunately, Alma and Gustav's love was not to last. They married in 1902, and one of the conditions of their marriage was that Alma (a composer herself) give up composing. Eventually, due to an unhappy marriage and the stifling of her art, she fell into depression and also had an affair. Gustav found out about the affair, and attempted to reconcile with Alma. He began encouraging her composing and helping to prepare some of her works for publication, but died soon after. The Adagietto became commercially popular in the 1970s due to its use in the film "Death in Venice". It was also used in the commemorative events following the September 11 attacks in the United States. Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Tchaikovksy's "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture" is an example of a "symphonic poem" - a piece of orchestral music which tells a story. It is based on three main strands of the Shakespearean tale - Friar Lawrence (religion/mysticism/fate), the feuding Capulet and Montague families, and the love between Romeo and Juliet. If you have ever played the first game of The Sims franchise, you may recognise the love theme (listen at 8:58)! When two Sims kissed, this is the music that played! It has also been featured in many TV shows, films, and other popular media. Learn more about Sound Garden

Take our quiz to find out, and then scroll down to listen to some of the featured composers' works! Francesca Caccini Barbara Strozzi Isabella Leonarda Fanny Mendelssohn Clara Schumann Pauline Viardot Amy Beach Florence Price Nadia Boulanger Unsuk Chin Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Learn more about Sound Garden

This month's Living Composer is Gregg Wager - an American composer, author, critic, and pianist. Gregg was born in Adrian (Michigan, USA), but grew up in Fresno and Sacramento (California, USA). He began piano lessons at the age of five, and received his first lessons in music composition from his piano teacher, Yuriy Oliynyk, when he was eight. He studied as a composition student at the University of Southern California. While there, he completed his first string quartet, and also performed as a pianist in many theatrical productions. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Departmental Award in Composition. He stayed at the university for an additional year as a graduate student, and finished a master's degree in composition at the California Institute of the Arts. Gregg released his first vinyl LP "Adjacent Lines and Equal Parts" in 1985, capturing the interest of reviewers such as Joan La Barbara for Musical America/High Fidelity: "Gregg Wager's Adjacent Lines and Equal Parts for solo piano starts with a single pitch struck repeatedly to explore the overtones that ring out, and proceeds through music that nods fleetingly at composer/keyboard wizards Frederic Rzewski and Terry Riley before rushing on to find its own very individual voice [. . .] It is an important first album for this young composer and pianist". He then became active in the Independent Composers Association in Los Angeles, performing mostly his own works for solo piano, but also "In Space and Time" for 24 players. Upon earning a PhD in musicology at Free University Berlin (Germany), he composed his second string quartet and "Astralis" for guitar and orchestra, most of which was performed in Berlin. In New York City, he worked as an Adjunct Professor in Composition at State University New York at Purchase (New York, USA). Most recently, he is composing operas, including "Where is Frank Mallory…" and "Spectral Evidence Rhapsody". Find out more about Gregg: https://www.angelfire.com/music2/greggwager/index.html Gregg's compositions: Adjacent Lines and Equal Parts Music for Playback I (album - tracks and album available for purchase via Bandcamp) Two-Part Inventions and Fugues (album - tracks and album available for purchase via Bandcamp) Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Gregg's top 5 classical music picks: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 Stockhausen: Licht (note: the complete work is a set of 7 operas named after days of the week - the video below is from the second act of "Donnerstag" (Thursday)) Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (The Well-Tempered Clavier) Chopin: Études (Op. 10 and Op. 25) John Cage: Freeman Études Learn more about Sound Garden

Whet your appetite for Verdi with excerpts from five of his many operas! Il trovatore: Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie (Anvil Chorus) The "Coro de Zingari" (literally "gypsy chorus", but known as the "Anvil Chorus" in English) from Verdi's "Il trovatore" (The Troubadour) depicts Spanish gypsies hard at work striking their anvils at dawn, and celebrating the pleasures of good wine and gypsy women. It is well-known for its rousing tune and the off-beat rhythms of the anvils being struck. Note: the term "gypsy" now has pejorative connotations - "Roma" or "Romani" is preferred. The Roma/Romani are a nomadic people group, with their most concentrated populations being in parts of Europe, and their roots being from northern India. The opera itself is based on the play "El trovador" (1836) by Antonio García Gutiérrez. It is a story of witchcraft, murder, and vengeance! La Traviata: Sempre libera "La Traviata" (The Fallen Woman) is based on the play "La Dame aux camélias" (1852) by Alexandre Dumas fils, which was in turn adapted from his 1848 novel. The story centres around Violetta Valéry - a courtesan who has fallen sick with tuberculosis - and her romance with Alfredo. This character was inspired by real-life courtesan and socialite Marie Duplessis; if you visit Paris, you may pass by her (unmarked) apartment! In the final scene of Act I, the character Violetta reflects on her feelings for Alfredo. Rather than including a standard "aria" (solo song within an opera), the scene begins with freer-form "recitative" (like sung-speech) sections, and then moves into a double aria "cantabile-cabaletta" (sometimes just called "cabaletta") - popular in 19th century Italian opera. The first "cantabile" section is slower and more lyrical. The second "cabaletta" section is more animated and often includes florid ornamentation. The cabaletta section "Sempre libera" is well-known in its own right and is sometimes performed on its own. Watch from 5:28 for "Sempre libera" (but we recommend watching the whole scene!). Discover the Sound Garden shop Online products and courses for all ages Otello: Credo in un Dio crudel The opera "Otello" is based on the Shakespearean play of the same name. After the success of his opera "Aida" in 1871, Verdi was reluctant to compose anything new. However, his publisher Giulio Ricordi convinced him to work on some projects, including "Otello". The work took over 5 years to complete, but it was a resounding success, and was staged at many theatres following the premiere. In the aria "Credo in un dio crudel", the villain Iago, who was demoted by Otello from his role as an ensign (a soldier who is responsible for carrying the flag of a unit, regiment, or army), watches as Cassio speaks to Otello's wife Desdemona about reinstating him. He voices his nihilistic beliefs about his pre-destined evil ways, and declares his hatred for humankind. Translation: I believe in a cruel God who created me Similar to himself, and in wrath I am born. From the cowardice of a germ or an atom Vile I was born. I am wicked because I am a man; And I feel the original mud in me. Yes, that is my fate! I believe with a firm heart, just as The widow at the temple believes, That the evil I think and that proceeds from me, I fulfil my destiny. I believe that the righteous man is a mocking histrion (actor), And in his face and in his heart, That everything in him is a liar: A tear, a kiss, a look, Sacrifice and honour. And I believe that man is a game of unrighteous fate From the germ of the cradle To the worm of the grave. Death comes after such derision. And then? And then what? Death is Nothingness. Heaven is an old story. Don Carlo: O don fatale "Don Carlo" (or "Don Carlos" in French) was originally composed in French, but is most often performed in Italian. It tells the story of Don Carlo, son of the King of Spain, and is a a drama of jealousy, death, and betrayal. Just prior to the aria "O don fatale", the princess Eboli, rejected by Don Carlos, confesses that it was she who told the king that his wife Elisabeth and Don Carlos were having an affair. She also confesses that she herself is the mistress of the king. Elisabeth orders her to choose between exile or the convent, and exits the stage. Eboli, now alone, curses her own beauty and pride. She resolves to try to save Don Carlos from the Inquisition, in order to make amends. Aida: Celeste Aida The opera "Aida" is set in the Old Kingdom of Egypt. The Egyptians have captured and enslaved Aida, an Ethiopian princess. It is a story of love and betrayal, against the backdrop of war between Egypt and Ethiopia. The romanza (simple lyrical piece, usually in three-four time - ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three) "Celeste Aida" is sung by Radamès, a young Egyptian warrior who is secretly in love with Aida (and she with him). He dreams of victory on the battlefield (as he hopes to one day become a general) and of his love for Aida. Translation: If only I were that warrior! If only my dream might come true! An army of brave men with me as their leader And victory and the applause of all Memphis! And to you, my sweet Aida, To return crowned with laurels, To tell you: for you I have fought, For you I have won! Heavenly Aida, divine form, Mystical garland of light and flowers, You are queen of my thoughts, You are the splendour of my life. I want to give you back your beautiful sky, The sweet breezes of your native land, To place a royal garland on your hair, To raise you a throne next to the sun. Learn more about Sound Garden

Troubadours, motets, Gregorian chant, lutes...the Medieval and Renaissance eras were a unique time in music history! Introduction To Classical Music - Part I: Early Music (476-1600 AD) Online course Learn more about Sound Garden

Test out your musical instrument knowledge with our latest quiz! Let us know how many you got right! Learn more about Sound Garden