Category Archives: Anniversary

In Appreciation – Dmitri Shostakovich

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood Photo By Unknown author – Original publication

On this day, 50 years ago, the composer Dmitri Shostakovich died at the age of 68 in Moscow.

He is without doubt one of my favourite composers…but I will save a full appraisal for a major, extended project that is due to begin on Arcana pages shortly, studying Shostakovich’s music in the context of his contemporaries.

For now I will post four pieces, the last three in the form of a concert that show Shostakovich to have a number of strings to his bow. Beginning with a home favourite, the String Quartet no.7, we move to three orchestral works – the Jazz Suite no.1, the Cello Concerto no.2, and the Symphony no.8. The Cello Concerto no.2 is given in a fantastic recording by Heinrich Schiff, conducted by the composer’s son Maxim, while the symphony is the first recording of his music that I heard, with Rudolf Barshai conducting the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra:

Published post no.2,621 – Saturday 9 August 2025

On this day – the death of composer Domenico Scarlatti

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

On this day in 1757, the composer Domenico Scarlatti died in Madrid.

Taking the baton from his father Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico was a prolific composer wrote no fewer than 550 keyboard sonatas, an unparalleled output that has a fascinating variety, looking forward to Beethoven and even beyond. Here is a great example with which to end the day, from a very fine album devoted to the composer by French-Canadian pianist Anne Quéffelec

Published post no.2,604 – Thursday 23 July 2025

On this day – the birth of composer Gerald Finzi

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

On this day in 1901, the composer Gerald Finzi was born in Oxford.

Finzi’s most popular pieces tend to be in slightly shorter forms, and his unique way of writing for strings has endeared him to many lovers of British music. Here is a great example, a piece more than suitable for a summer’s evening – the Romance for String Orchestra:

Published post no.2,595 – Monday 14 July 2025

On this day – the birth of composer Ottorino Respighi

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of composer Ottorino Respighi in 1879.

Respighi’s most famous works are the orchestral pieces making up the ‘Roman trilogy’ – in order of composition the Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals. Here they are in landmark performances from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner:

Published post no.2,590 – Wednesday 9 July 2025

On this day – Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez & Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

Today marks the anniversary of the death of composer Joaquin Rodrigo in 1999, at the age of 97.

Rodrigo can claim to have written one of the 20th century’s most popular pieces, the Concierto de Aranjuez, for guitar and orchestra. The concerto’s Adagio is especially treasured, and can be heard at the heart of this performance:

Another popular Rodrigo piece is the Fantasía para un gentilhombre, also for guitar and orchestra:

Published post no.2,587 – Sunday 6 July 2025