BachElit · Original series archive
Character
25 October 2015 · 19 June 2016
Archived programme
“How can a theme be sweet? How can a melody make us frown?”
Original introduction (English translation)
Character is one of the basic elements of music—even when it is deliberately absent. Dolce, espressivo, risoluto, grazioso… How can a theme be sweet? How can a melody make us frown? Schubert can turn a gentle children’s song into a storm of shouting, while Brahms reaches deep with his bittersweet music.
Musical examples
- Schubert: String Quartet in G major, D. 887, Scherzo
- Delibes: Lakmé, Flower Duet
- Brahms: Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”, Op. 74, II. Allegro con grazia
- Mendelssohn: Octet, Scherzo, Allegro leggierissimo
- Hummel: Rondo, Op. 11 (arr. Jascha Heifetz)
- Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals, Finale
- Smetana: Má vlast, Vltava
- Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48, Andante non troppo – Allegro moderato
- Mozart: Requiem, K. 626, Lacrimosa
- C. W. Gluck: Don Juan (ballet), Risoluto e moderato
- Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries
- Bizet: L’Arlésienne, Prélude
- Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30, Introduction
- Philip Glass: Six Etudes for Piano, q=96
- Ravel: Boléro
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”, Op. 55, I. Allegro con brio
These links come from the original 2015–2016 pages. The availability of external videos and playlists depends on their providers. Descriptions are translated here; linked materials remain in their original languages.