Composer Study

AmblesideOnline Composer Rotation Schedule

AO's Terms:
* Term 1: Sep-Nov
** Term 2: Jan-Mar
*** Term 3: Apr-Jun

We encourage AmblesideOnline members to follow the schedule as a group for Artists, Composers, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Folk Songs, Hymns, and Nature Study. Staying on schedule together for these subjects enriches our studies as we share resources and experiences.

AmblesideOnline is part of Amazon.com's Affiliate program. If you use our Amazon.com links, we receive a small commission which enables us to cover the costs of keeping the website and curriculum. Amazon.com links are identified like this: ($amzn) or ($mp3), but we have provided links to free and alternate sources as well. An asterisk * links to Youtube, α links to a free download at archive.org.

We are extremely blessed in our age of technology to have the ability to access great music from our own computers as many symphonies, quartets, consorts, schools, etc. are putting their live concerts online. If you hear something you love, we urge you to support classical performers by seeking out your favorites and purchasing recordings. Attending live concerts is also a wonderful way to support this music.



2023-2024 TERM 1 Renaissance Music (This term's artist: Tintoretto)

1. Songs * * * * *
2. Guillaume Dufay * *   Ave Maris Stella ("Hail, star of the sea") * *
3. Dance Music * * * *
4. Josquin des Prez * * * *
5. Vocal Music of William Byrd * * * * *
6. Claudio Monteverdi * * * *   Monteverdi wrote the earliest opera still regularly performed: "L'Orfeo" *
     CD and mp3 Options:
     -- The Hillard Ensemble: Music for Tudor Kings seems to offer a nice variety of music from the era. ($amzn) ($mp3); also English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals. ($mp3) The Hilliard Ensemble has multiple CD's featuring Renaissance era composers.
     -- Gloriae Dei Cantores: Masters of the Renaissance (choral sacred music) ($amzn) ($mp3)
     -- Oxford Camerata: Renaissance Masterpieces (vocal) ($amzn) ($mp3)
     -- Dances of the Renaissance ($amzn) ($mp3)
     -- Catherine King: Elizabethan Songs and Consort Music (solo voice, instrumental) ($amzn) ($mp3)

2023-2024 TERM 2 Maurice Ravel (1875-1937; Impressionist) (This term's artist: Claude Monet)

1. Daphne et Chloe - selections * *   complete *
2. Bolero * *
3. Mother Goose Suite * *
4. Pavane pour une infante dufunte (no, there really is no dead princess) * *
5. Piano Concerto in D for the Left Hand (composed for a pianist who lost his right arm in WWI) * *
6. Rhapsody Espagnole * *

2023-2024 TERM 3 Opera Selections (This term's artist: Georges Seurat)

1. Giuseppi Verdi: "Triumphal March" from Aida * * and "Vedi! le fosche" (Anvil Chorus) * * from Il Trovatore
2. Giuseppi Verdi "Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici" (Brindisi; drinking song - parents, preview!) from La Traviata * * and "La Donne Il Mobile," from Rigoletto * *
3. Giacomo Puccini: "O Soave Fancuilla" * * and "Quando M'en Vo" * * from La Boheme, and "E Lucevan Le Stelle" * * from Tosca.
4. Giacamo Puccini: "Un Bel Di Vedremo" * * from Madama Butterfly, and "Nessun Dorma" * * from Turandot.
5. Gioacchino Rossini: overture * * and "Largo al factotum" (Figaro Figaro Figaro. . .) from Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) * *
6. Gioacchino Rossini: William Tell overture * *
We suggest using a selection of Opera favorites that contains most of these, such as Best Opera Album In The World . . . Ever! ($amzn) and filling in any missing pieces with whatever else is on the CD. Puccini's "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi, Bizet's "Au fond du temple saint" from The Pearl Fishers, Verdi's "Celeste Aida" from Aida would be worthy substitutes.
One possibility: 25 Opera Favorites CD ($amzn)
1 - track 7. Giuseppi Verdi: "Triumphal March" from Aida; track 17. Gypsies' Chorus from Il Trovatore
2 - track 3. Giuseppi Verdi: "Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici" (Brindisi) from La Traviata; track 9. "La Donne Il Mobile," from Rigoletto
3 - track 21. Giacomo Puccini: "Che Gelida Manina" from La Boheme; track 23. "Quando M'en Vo" from La Boheme; track 18. "Vissi d'Arte" from Tosca
4 - track 6. Giacamo Puccini: "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, track 5. "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot
5 - track 4. Georges Bizet: "Au Fond du Temple Saint" from the Pearl Fishers; track 2. Gioacchino Rossini: "Largo al factotum" from The Barber of Seville
6 - track 1. Gioacchino Rossini: William Tell overture
     Free Ebook for younger students Verdi: The Little Boy who Loved the Hand Organ by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Verdi; Puccini; Bizet; Rossini


2024-2025 TERM 1 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827; Classical/Romantic) (This term's artist: Albrecht Durer)

Beethoven is scheduled twice; whichever selections you don't select this term can be done next time around.
1. Symphony No 5 in C minor Op. 67 * *
     or Symphony No 6 in F major Op. 68 Pastoral * *
2. Piano Sonata 8 Op. 13 Pathetique * * * *
     or Piano Sonata 14 Op. 27 Moonlight * * * *
3. String Quartets opus 59, no.1-3 (Razumovsky Quartets) 1 * *   2 * *   3 * *
     or Septet in E-flat Op. 20 * *
4. Symphony No. 3 (Eroica; 'Heroic') Opus 55 * *
     or Fidelio   Overture * *
5. Symphony 7 in A major Op.92 * *
     or Symphony No. 9 (the one with Ode to Joy at the end) Opus 125 * *
6. Piano Concerto 5 (Emporer) Op 73 * *
     or Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor Für Elise * *
     Purchase the book Ludwig Beethoven and the Chiming Tower Bells ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Beethoven: The story of a little boy who was forced to practice by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Beethoven

2024-2025 TERM 2 Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741; Baroque) (This term's artist: Caravaggio)

1. Gloria (choral work) * *
2. The Four Seasons * *
3. Trio Sonata in C major, RV.82 * *
4. A violin concerto * *   All * *
5. Concerto in D major for Guitar * * or Mandolin in C major * * or Lute in D major * *
6. Concerto for Two Flutes in C major * *   or Oboe in C major * *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Vivaldi

2024-2025 TERM 3 Frederic Chopin (1810-1849; Romantic) (This term's artist: Eugene Delacroix)

1. Nocturne in E flat maj Op 09 no 2 * *   (but Nocturne Op 27 no 2 is more magical * *)
2. Etude in E-maj Op 10 no 3 * *
3. Revolutionary Etude in C minor Op 10 no 12 * *
4. Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor Op 21 * *
5. Preludes Op 28 no's 15, 20 and either 16 or 17:   15 * *   20 * *   16 * *
6. Polonaise in A flat "Heroic" Op 53 * * (A favorite best played with some volume)
     Further Interest: Favorites in the Chopin-loving Advisory household include Berceuse in D-flat major op 57 * *, the 2nd movement of the first Piano Concerto * * and Ballade no. 1 in G minor Op 23 * * (and nobody plays these like Rubinstein!)
     Purchase the book Frederic Chopin, Son of Poland, Early Years ($amzn) or Frederic Chopin, Son of Poland, Later Years ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Chopin: The Boy Who Made Beautiful Melodies by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Chopin


2025-2026 TERM 1 Frederick Delius (1862-1934) (This term's artist: Camille Pissarro)

1. The Florida Suite 1887-1889 * *
2. Over the Hills and Far Away 1895 * *
3. Brigg Fair, An English Rhapsody, 1907 * *
4. The Walk to the Paradise Garden (from A Village Romeo and Juliet) 1907 * *
5. In a Summer Garden (1908, revised 1911) * * or Summer Night on the River (1911) * *
6. On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring (1912) * *
     The Best of Delius: Includes part of Florida Suite, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, The Walk to Paradise Garden, Summer Night on the River; Purchase CD ($amzn) ($mp3)

2025-2026 TERM 2 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791; Classical/Rococo) (This term's artist: Jean Honore Fragonard)

1. Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major K525 ("Eine Kleine Nacht Musik") * *
2. Requiem Mass in D minor K626 (A vocal work) * *
3. Symphony no. 41 in C major K551 "Jupiter" * * (spend four weeks)
4. Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major K364 * *
5. Piano Concerto no. 21 in C major K467 * *
     Purchase the book Mozart, The Wonder Boy ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Mozart: The Little Boy and his Sister who gave concerts by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Mozart

2025-2026 TERM 3 Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847; Romantic) (This term's artist: Albert Bierstadt)

1. Songs without words (8 volumes of 6 songs each; see notes)
     Op 19 * *   Op 30 *   Op 38 *   Op 53 * *   Op 62 *   Op 67 * *   Op 85 *   Op 102 (search)   all *
2. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 * *
3. Symphony no. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian" * *
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream Op. 61 * *
5. Octet in E-flat major Op. 20 * *
6. Fingal's Cave ("Hebrides") Overture Op. 26 * *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Mendelssohn


2026-2027 TERM 1 Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990; American) (This term's artist: Norman Rockwell)

1. Symphony No. 1 Jeremiah, 1942 * *
2. Three Dance Episodes from On The Town, 1944 * *
3. Serenade, after Plato's Symposium 1954 * *
4. Symphonic Suite On the Waterfront, 1954 * *
5. Symphonic Dances from Westside Story, 1957: * *
6. Chichester Psalms for boy soprano, mixed chorus, and orchestra, 1965 * *
     For further Interest:
     Bernstein wrote a version of Peter Pan in 1950 *
     On December 25, 1989, Bernstein conducted Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in East Berlin's Schauspielhaus as part of a celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The concert was broadcast live in more than twenty countries to an estimated audience of 100 million people. For the occasion, Bernstein reworded Friedrich Schiller's text of the Ode to Joy, substituting the word Freiheit (freedom) for Freude (joy). 4th Movement: Ode to Freedom * *
     He became well-known in the US through his series of televised Young People's Concerts for CBS. Many are on YouTube.
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Bernstein

2026-2027 TERM 2 Claude Debussy (1862-1918; Impressionist) (This term's artist: Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

1. Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun * *
2. La Mer * * OR Three Nocturnes for Orchestra * *
3. The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (from Preludes) * *   Complete Preludes * *
4. Suite Bergamasqe (includes Claire de Lune) * *
5. Children's Corner * *
6. Jeux ("Games"); for a ballet about tennis and flirtation * *   dance sample *

2026-2027 TERM 3 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750; Baroque) (This term's artist: Jacob van Ruisdael and Pieter de Hooch)

1. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047 * *
2, 3. St. Matthew Passion BWV 244 (for 4 weeks) * *
4. Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 * *
5. Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude and Fugue in C minor, Book I * *   all of WTC, organ *   piano *
6. Goldberg Variations * *
     Optional for older students: Glory and Honor: The Music and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach, by Greg Wilbur ($amzn)
     Purchase the book Sebastian Bach, The Boy from Thuringia ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Johann Sebastian Bach: The Boy who sang in the streets by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Bach


2027-2028 TERM 1 Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809; Classical) (This term's artist: John Singleton Copley)

1. String Quartet Op 76 no 3 "Emperor" * * α OR String Quartet Op 76 no 4 "Sunrise" * *   "Emporer": I. Allegro ($mp3) II. Menuett: Allegro ($mp3) III. Poco adagio cantabile ($mp3) IV. Finale: Presto ($mp3)
2, 3. London Symphony no 104 in D major (4 weeks) * * ($mp3)
4, 5. The Creation (4 weeks) * * α
6. Horn Concerto No. 1 in D * * I Allegro ($mp3) II Adagio ($mp3) III Allegro ($mp3)
     Purchase the book Joseph Haydn, The Merry Little Peasant ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Franz Joseph Haydn: The Story of the Choir Boy who became a Great Composer by Thomas Tapper
For a lighter term:
1. String Quartet Op 76, no. 3, 2nd movement (8:14) * * (This is the tune for the hymn "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") ($mp3)
2. String Quartet Op 76 no. 4 in B flat major, 1st movement (8:42) * * (Nicknamed Sunrise due to the rising theme over sustained chords that begins the quartet.) ($mp3)
3. London Symphony - Finale: Spiritoso (6:40) * * (Symphony No. 104 in D major is Joseph Haydn's final symphony. It is the last of the twelve so-called London Symphonies, and is known (somewhat arbitrarily, given the existence of eleven others) as the London Symphony. The exuberant finale, in fast tempo and in sonata form, opens in the mode of folk music using a drone bass and a theme often claimed to have originated as a Croatian folk song.) ($mp3)
4. The Creation: "The Heavens are Telling the Glory" (4:02) * * (The Creation is considered by many to be Haydn's masterpiece. And "The Heavens are Telling the Glory" seems to be akin to what the Hallelujah chorus is to the Messiah.) ($mp3)
5. Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, 2nd movement (Adagio) (6:04) * * ($mp3)
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Haydn

2027-2028 TERM 2 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) (This term's artist: Edouard Manet)

1. Symphony no 6 in B minor. Op 74 "Pathetique" * * α (Wikipedia; includes audio) ($mp3)
2. Piano Concerto no 1 in B flat minor Op 23 * * α (Wikipedia; includes audio)
3. Serenade for Strings in C major Op 48 * * (Wikipedia) ($mp3)
4. 1812 Overture, Op 49 * * α (Wikipedia) ($mp3)
5. Andante Cantabile from String Quartet in D maj Op 11 * * α (Wikipedia) ($mp3)
6. Swan Lake, Op 20 * *  Ballet * (Wikipedia) ($mp3)
     Further Interest: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture * * α
     Purchase the book The Story of Peter Tchaikovsky ($amzn) or Peter Tchaikovsky and the Nutcracker Ballet ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Tchaikovsky

2027-2028 TERM 3 Mark O'Connor (1961- ) and Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) (This term's artist: Hudson River School)

1. Mark O'Connor: Fanfare for the Volunteer ($amzn) ($mp3)
2. Mark O'Connor: The American Seasons ($amzn) ($mp3)   Fall *
3. Mark O'Connor: Strings and Threads Suite * ($amzn) ($mp3)
   Further Interest: Johnny Appleseed Suite ($amzn) four parts: Marching Along the Ohio Frontier * ($mp3) Johnny's Apple Pie ($mp3) Three Angel Brides ($mp3) Life and Times of Johnny Appleseed ($mp3)
   Mark O'Connor's website
4. Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird, 1910 * * ($amzn) ($mp3)
5. Igor Stravinsky: Symphony in E-flat, 1907 * *
      or Rite of Spring, 1907 among his most acclaimed compositions, but the subject matter may not be suitable for all families * * ($amzn) ($mp3)
6. Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms, 1930 * * ($amzn) ($mp3)
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Stravinsky


2028-2029 TERM 1 Hildegard von Bingen, 1098-1179 (This term's artist: Fra Angelico) Biography; Information about her music.
AmblesideOnline's own Megan Hoyt has written a picture book called "Hildegard's Gift" for younger students (purchase at amazon.com)
The following selections are from the Anonymous 4 CD "Origin of Fire" CD ($amzn) ($mp3)

1. track 3. Antiphon, O quam mirabilis est (how wondrous is the presence of the divine heart that foreknew every creature) * *
2. track 6. Sequence: O ignis spiritus paracliti (O fire of the spirit, the comforter; a chant for pentecost) * English lyrics and audio
3. track 11. Vision 3 "The fiery spirit": Et imago (Lyrics - Second part of this link) *
4. track 12. Hymn O ignee spiritus (Hymn, for Holy spirit) English lyrics * *
5. track 14. Vision 4 "Love": Et audivi vocem (Rev 14:13 and I heard a voice from heaven say write. . .) * OR Spiritus Sanctus lyrics and audio
6. track 15. Antiphon Caritas habundant in omnia (Love abounds in all) English lyrics * *
Other Options:
A Feather on the Breath of God ($amzn)
Catholic World Report offers their own "definitive list" of Hildegard's music based on the boxed CD set "Sequentia." ($amzn)

2028-2029 TERM 2 Children's Classics (This term's artist: Diego Velazquez)

1. Benjamin Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra * * Wikipedia; ($amzn) ($mp3)
2. Sergei Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf * * Wikipedia; ($amzn) ($mp3)
3. Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice * * Wikipedia; ($amzn) ($mp3) featured in Disney's Fantasia: Blu-ray: ($amzn)
4. Engelbert Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel (Opera in 3 Acts) Wikipedia * * ($amzn) ($mp3)
5. Claude Debussy: La Boite A Joujoux (The Toy Box, a ballet for children) * * blog post featuring images from the French book "La Boite a Joujoux" illustrated by Andre Helle ($mp3) ($mp3)
     Ballet on YouTube (but it looks modern and dark):
     1 The Toy Box Asleep *
     2 The Toy Shop *
     3 Dance of the Doll *
     4 The Field of Battle *
     5 The Sheepfold for Sale *
     6 Fortune Made After (?) *
     7 Epilogue *
     The whole ballet with real children *

6. Georges Bizet: Jeux d'enfants, op. 22 (Children's Games; 12 short piano pieces. Wikipedia) * * ($amzn) ($mp3) ($mp3)
     1. The Swing
     2. The Top
     3. The Doll
     4. The Merry-Go-Round
     5. The Shuttlecock
     6. Trumpet and Tambourine
     7. The Soap Bubbles
     8. The Four Coins
     9. Hide and Seek
     10. Leapfrog
     11. Playing House
     12. The Ball

2028-2029 TERM 3 Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943 (This term's artist: Edgar Degas)

1 Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 * *
2 Prelude in C-sharp minor Op 3 no 2 * * and/or Prelude op 23 no 5 in g minor * *
3 Symphony 2 in E minor op 27 * *
4 Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 * * *
5 Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini op 43 * * 24 variations; 18 is the highlight * *
6 Symphonic Dance op 45 "summarizes Rachmaninoff's compositional output" * *
   Further Interest: All-Night Vigil ("Vespers") op 37 * * (Rachmaninoff requested no 5 * * to be sung at his own funeral) This and The Bells * * were Rachmaninoff's own favorite works.
Danse Hongroise (Hungarian Dance), Op. 6 No. 2 * *
String Quartet No. 1, Romance * *


2029-2030 TERM 1 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897; Romantic) (This term's artist: Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot)

1. Variations on a theme of Haydn Op 56a * *
2. Symphony no 1 in C minor Opus 68 * *
3. Violin Concerto in D major Op 77 * *
4. Piano Concerto no 2 Op 83 * *
5. Tragic Overture Op 81 * *
6. Wiegenlied (Lullaby) Op 49 no. 4 * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Brahms

2029-2030 TERM 2 Franz Schubert (1797-1828; late Classical/early Romantic) (This term's artist: Jacques-Louis David)

1. Trout quintet
2. Symphony no. 8 ("Unfinished") * *
3, 4. Symphony no. 9 in C major D.944 ("The Great") (4 weeks) * *
5. Four Impromptus op. 90 D.899 * *
6. Die schöne Müllerin op. 25 D.795 ("The Fair Miller's Daughter;" 20 songs based on poems by Wilhelm Müller telling of a wandering miller who follows a brook to a mill, sees the miller's daughter, and falls in love with her. But she is not interested and falls in love with a handsome hunter, so the miller drowns himself in the brook.) * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Schubert
     Purchase the book Franz Schubert and His Merry Friends ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Franz Schubert: The Boy Who Wrote Beautiful Songs by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Schubert

22029-2030 TERM 3 Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) (This term's artist: Hans Holbein the Younger)

1. Motets for Five Voices *   Playlist *
2. Tu Es Petrus *
3. O Magnum Mysterium * *
4. Kyrie from Pope Marcellus Mass * *   All *
5. Missa O Sacrum Convivium *   Playlist *
6. Sanctus et Benedictus from Missa Brevis * *
Several of the selections are on this CD: Masses and Motets ($amzn) ($mp3)
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Palestrina


2030-2031 TERM 1 Antonin Dvorák (AN-toe-NEEN d-VOR-zhak; 1841-1904; Late Romantic) (This term's artist: Mary Cassatt) 2016/2017 YouTube Playlist from Camille B.

1. Symphony 9 in E minor Op. 95 B.178 "From the New World" * * ($amzn) ($mp3)
2. Slavonic Dances Op. 46 * * and Op. 72 * *   All *
3. Carnival Overture Op. 92 B.169 (may also be spelled Karneval) * *
4. Humoresques for piano Op. 101 no. 1-8 * * * (especially no 7 in G flat * *) Playlist ($mp3)
5. String Quartet No. 12 in F maj Op. 96 ("American") * * CD: ($amzn)
6. Trio no. 4 in E minor Op. 90 "Dumky" * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Dvorak
   2 1/2 hour "Best of Dvorak" playlist *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Dvorak

2030-2031 TERM 2 Medieval Era Music (see Notes for this Term, also Medieval Life and Times) (This term's artist: Giotto di Bondone) 2016/2017 YouTube Playlist from Camille B.

1. "Salve Regina - Gregorian Chant" ($amzn) * * *
2. "Secret Voices: Chant and Polyphony from the Las Huelgas Codex, c. 1300" by Anonymous 4 ($amzn) ($mp3) * *
3. "A Dance In the Garden of Mirth: Medieval Instrumental Music" by the Dufay Collective ($amzn) ($mp3). * * *
    Alternate Option for this term: "Miri It Is" by the Dufay Collective ($amzn) ($mp3). If you choose to purchase only this CD, we urge you to check your library or YouTube for Gregorian chant selections to supplement. *
    More video links for Gothic music are at the bottom of our Notes for this Term.
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Medieval Music

2030-2031 TERM 3 Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799; Classical) Info (This term's artist: James McNeill Whistler)

1-2 Choose Two Concertos:
     Harp Concerto in A major * *
     Double Bass Concerto * *
     Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G major * *
     Oboe Concerto in G major * * Oboe Concertos $mp3)
     Harpsichord Concerto in A maj * *
3-4 Choose Two Symphonies:
     Symphony in C-major "La Prise de la Bastille" *   1 * 2 * 3 *
     Symphony in A minor *   1 * 2 * 3 * 4 *
     Six Symphonies after Ovid's Metamorphoses [This Playlist includes 1, 2, 3, 6 ] Entire Metamorphoses on one CD ($mp3) 1-3 ($mp3) 4-6 ($mp3)
     1 The Four Ages of the World (gold, silver, bronze and iron)
     2 The Fall of Paeton
     3 The Transformation of Actaeon into a Stag
     4 The Rescuing of Andromeda by Perseus
     5 The Petrification of Phineus and his Friends
     6 The Transformation of the Lycian Peasants into Frogs
5-6 Choose Two Chamber Works * * * * * ($mp3)
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Dittersdorf
Dittersdorf also wrote operas, oratorios, cantatas, and sacred music, including a Requiem.


2031-2032 music links selected by Megan Hoyt.

2031-2032 TERM 1 Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) (Baroque) (This term's artist: Peter Paul Rubens)

1. Telemann: Concerto for 4 Violins in G major TWV 40:201 * *
2. Telemann: Sinfonia Spirituosa in D Major TWV 44:1 * *
3. Telemann: Concerto for Traverso and Recorder in E minor TWV 52:e1 * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Telemann
4. Corelli: Trio Sonata in D minor, Op. 3 No. 5 (1689) * *
5. Corelli: Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8 (Christmas Concerto; 1690) * *  Excerpt: *
6. Corelli: Violin Sonata in D Minor Op. 5 No. 12, 'La Folia' (1700) * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Corelli
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Telemann
     In the 1940's series "Famous Composers for Young People," "Famous Pianists," etc, by Gladys Burch, Corelli has a chapter (og 49) in "Famous Violinists."
     Optional supplement: Telemann: one of his 'Matthaus Passions' * *
     Best of Telemann (3 hours)     Corelli Complete Edition Vol. 1 Vol. 2 Vol. 3

2031-2032 TERM 2 Aaron Copland (1900-1990; American), George Gershwin (1898-1937; American) (This term's artist: Winslow Homer)

1. Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring * *   Ballet: * * * *
2. Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid * *   Listening Guide: *       or Fanfare for the Common Man * *   Bernstein *
3. Aaron Copland: Rodeo * *   Ballet *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Copland
4. George Gershwin: American in Paris * *
5. George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue * *
6. George Gershwin: Concerto in F maj * *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Copland; Gershwin
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Gershwin
     Best of Gershwin (1.5 hours)     Best of Copland (2 hours)

2031-2032 TERM 3 Ludwig von Beethoven 1770-1827; Classical/Romantic) (This term's artist: Michelangelo Buonarroti)

Beethoven is scheduled twice; whichever selections you don't select this term can be done next time around.
1. Symphony No 5 in C minor Op. 67 * *
     or Symphony No 6 in F major Op. 68 Pastoral * *
2. Piano Sonata 8 Op. 13 Pathetique * * * *
     or Piano Sonata 14 Op. 27 Moonlight * * * *
3. String Quartets opus 59, no.1-3 (Razumovsky Quartets) 1 * *   2 * *   3 * *
     or Septet in E-flat Op. 20 * *
4. Symphony No. 3 (Eroica; 'Heroic') Opus 55 * *
     or Fidelio   Overture * *
5. Symphony 7 in A major Op.92 * *
     or Symphony No. 9 (the one with Ode to Joy at the end) Opus 125 * *
6. Piano Concerto 5 (Emporer) Op 73 * *
     or Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor Für Elise * *
     Megan Hoyt's blog post about Beethoven
     Purchase the book Ludwig Beethoven and the Chiming Tower Bells ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Beethoven: The Little Boy who was Forced to Practice by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Beethoven


2032-2033 TERM 1 Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826, Romantic) (This term's artist: John Constable)

1. Incidental music for Turandot, op 37, J. 75, Overture 1809 * *
2. Bassoon concerto in F major, op 75, 1811 * *
3. Clarinet Quintet in B flat Major, op. 34, 1815 * *
4. Invitation to the Dance, Op 65, 1819 * *
5. Der Freischutz overture, Op. 77, J. 277, 1820 * *
     or Konzertstück (Concertpiece) in F minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 79, 1821 * *
6. Oberon overture, 1826 * *
If you prefer a CD, we suggest choosing one of these options:
1. ($amzn) includes Der Freischutz overture, Oberon overture, Turandot incidental music, AND ($amzn) Clarinet Concertos)
OR
2. ($amzn) includes Oberon overture, Der Freischutz overture, Invitation To The Dance, and other works.
3. ($amzn) 2 disks; includes Oberon overture, Der Freischutz overture, Invitation To The Dance, and clarinet.

2032-2033 TERM 2 Henry Purcell (1659-1695, Baroque) (This term's artist: Jan Vermeer)
   Selections based on the Hyperion CD "Essential Purcell." Available from amazon.com
1. Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn (25 min) *
2. Be Welcome Then, Great Sir * *
     Oh, Fair Cedaria * *
     Hear My Prayer, O Lord * *
3. Dido's Lament: When I Am Laid In Earth (Dido's death scene after she poisons herself because Aeneas left; iconic and beautiful: "Remember me, but forget my fate.") * * *
     Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears * *
     The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove * *
     If Music Be The Food Of Love * *   Dawn Upshaw *
4. Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem') * *
     Hosanna To The Highest * *
     Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts * *
     Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling * *
5. Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
     Sound The Trumpet * *
     She Loves And She Confesses Too * *
     O How Blest Is The Isle *
6. Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences * *
     An Evening Hymn * *
     Te Deum: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day * *
     Ode to St. Cecilia: Hail Bright Cecilia * *

2032-2033 TERM 3 Gabriel Faure (1845-1924, Romantic/Modern) (This term's artist: John William Waterhouse)

1. Requiem in D minor, Op. 48 (7 movements; 35 minutes total) * *
2. Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 * *
3. Pavane, Op. 50 (choral version) * *
4. The Dolly Suite, Op. 56 (Berceuse, Mi-a-ou, Le Jardin de Dolly, Kitty-Valse, Tendresse, Le Pas Espagnol) * *
5. Pelleas et Melisande, Op. 80 (Prelude, La Fileuse, Sicilienne, Mort de Melisande) * *
6. Songs:
     En priere * *
     Après un rêve * *
     Claire de Lune * *
     Le Papillon et la fleur * *
     Au bord de l'eau * *
Generally, we try to recommend no more than two CDs per composer, but for Faure we'll need three. Two of these are budget-priced, however, so happily we can still recommend the very best recordings of these works:
     The classic recording of the Requiem, Faure's best-known work, by musicians from Oxford; Naxos label: Faure: Requiem; Messe basse; Cantique de Jean Racine ($amzn)
     For the Piano Quartets ($amzn), this is the dream team: Emmanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, and Jaime Laredo. (Everything Yo-Yo touches turns to gold.) Children will love these lively quartets, so this is likely to be the CD that keeps getting played when the term is over.
     All other selections (and more) are on this Deutsche Grammophon recording featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra and others: Faure - Pelleas et Melisande ~ Dolly ~ Apres un reve ~ Pavane ~ Elegie ($amzn)


2033-2034 TERM 1 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791; Classical/Roccoco) (This term's artist: Pieter Bruegel the Elder)

1. Concerto for bassoon and orchestra in B-flat major, K191 * * (his only bassoon concerto)
2. Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K299 * *
3. Piano Sonata no. 11 in A maj K331 (includes the famous Rondo alla Turca) * *
4. Piano Concerto 20 in D min K466 * *
5. Symphony 40 in G minor KV550 * *
6. Quintet in A maj for clarinet, K581 * * *
     Purchase the book Mozart, The Wonder Boy ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Mozart: The story of a little boy and his sister who gave concerts by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Mozart

2033-2034 TERM 2 Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) (This term's artist: Gustave Courbet)

1. 24 Caprices for Solo Violin Op. 1 * * * especially no. 24 in A min *
2. Violin Concerto No. 1 in D maj, Op. 6, MS 21 * *
3. Violin Concerto No.2 in B min, Op.7 MS 48 * * especially III. La Campanella * *
4. Guitar Quartet no. 15 in A min, MS 42 *
     I. Maestoso *
     II. Minuetto a canone: Andantino *
     III. Recitativo: Andante sostenuto con sentimento *
     IV. Adagio cantabile *
     V. Rondo: Allegretto *
5. Tarantella in A min Op. 33 MS 76 * *
6. Cantabile D maj for violin and piano (or violin and guitar), Op. 17 MS 109 * *
If you prefer to purchase a CD, this one has all 24 Caprices as well as both Violin Concertos: ($amzn)
     Purchase the book Paganini, Master of Strings ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler

2033-2034 TERM 3 Robert Schumann (1810-1856; Romantic) (This term's artist: JMW Turner)

1. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9 * *
2. Scenes from Childhood for piano, Op. 15 * *
3. an arabeske or humoreske; perhaps Humoresque Op. 20 * *
4. Symphony no. 1 in B flat Op. 38 "Spring" * *
5. Liederkreis, Op. 39 * *   1 *   or other song cycle
6. Symphony no. 2 in C Op. 61 * * *
     Purchase the book Robert Schumann and Mascot Ziff ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Schumann: The Boy Who Made Pictures in Music by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Schumann


2034-2035 TERM 1 Richard Wagner (1813-1883); Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880; German Romantic) (This term's artist: Titian)

1. Wagner: Siegfried Idyll * *
2. Wagner: Selections from The Valkyries (Ride of the Valkyries: * *)
3, 4. Wagner: Das Liebesmahl der Apostel WWV 69 (The Love Feast of the Twelve Apostles; massive work requiring 1200 singers and 100 instruments!) (4 weeks) * *
5. Offenbach: Selections from Orpheus in the Underworld (Overture: * *)
6. Offenbach: Selections from Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) Bacarolle: * *   Song of Olympia: * *
     Purchase the book Adventures of Richard Wagner ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Wagner: The Boy Who Wrote Little Plays by Thomas Tapper

2034-2035 TERM 2 Russian Nationals (This term's artist: Leonardo Da Vinci)

1. Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908): Scheherazade * *
2. Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908): Symphony 2 'Antar' * *
3. Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908): Cappriccio Espagnol * *
4. Alexander Borodin (1833-1887): Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor * *   Dance: (parents, preview!) *
5. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881): Pictures at an Exhibition * *
6. Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881): Night on Bald Mountain * *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Rimsky-Korsakov; Mussorgsky

2034-2035 TERM 3 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759; Baroque) (This term's artist: Rembrandt van Rijn)

1, 2. Messiah (an oratorio) (4 weeks) * *
3. Water music * *
4. Any of the organ concerti (such as Organ Concerto in B-flat Major, op. 7,no. 6) * *
5. Rinaldo (opera) *   Full staged opera *
6. The Harmonious Blacksmith (from Suite No. 5 in E major, HWV 430) * *
     Purchase the book Handel at the Court of Kings ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Handel: The Little Boy Who Practiced in an Attic by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Handel


2035-2036 TERM 1 Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) and Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921; Romantic) (This term's artist: Jan Van Eyck)

1. Saint-Saëns - Symphony no 3 in C min Op 78 * *
2. Saint-Saëns - Danse Macabre Op 40 * *
3. Saint-Saëns - Carnival of Animals * *
4. Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique * *
5. Berlioz - Dance of the Sylphs (from Faust Op. 24) * *
6. Berlioz - Rakoczy (Hungarian) March (from Faust Op. 24) * *

2035-2036 TERM 2 Johann Sebastian Bach ( 1685-1750; Baroque) (This term's artist: Sandro Botticelli)

1, 2. Magnificat in D major BWV 243 (4 weeks) * *
3. Chaconne from Partita in D minor BWV 1004 * *
4. any Church cantata * *
5. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051 * *
6. Art of the Fugue BWV 1080 * *   Full * *
     Optional for older students: Glory and Honor: The Music and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach, by Greg Wilbur ($amzn)
     Purchase the book Sebastian Bach, The Boy from Thuringia ($amzn) by Opal Wheeler
     Free Ebook for younger students Johann Sebastian Bach: The Boy who sang in the streets by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Bach

2035-2036 TERM 3 Franz Liszt (1811-1886; Romantic) (This term's artist: Caspar David Friedrich)

1. Piano Concerto no 1 in E-flat major S.124 * * *
2. Hungarian Rhapsodies, especially no 2 (this was featured in Tom and Jerry and Rhapsody Rabbit cartoons) * *   All *
3. Les Preludes, Symphonic Poem no. 3 S.97 * *
4. Liebestraum No. 3 in A-flat major for piano * *
5. Piano Sonata in B min S.178 * *
6. Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514 * *
     Free Ebook for younger students Liszt: The Boy Who Became a Great Pianist and Teacher by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Liszt

2036-2037 TERM 1 Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) and Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) (This term's artist: Vincent Van Gogh)

1. Mahler: Symphony 1 in D major "Titan" * *
2. Mahler: Symphony 9 * *
3. Mahler: Kindertotenlieder (song cycle) * *
4. Bruckner: Symphony no 4 in E-flat major "Romantic" WAB 104 * *

2036-2037 TERM 2 Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872-1958; 20th Century British) (This term's artist: Raphael Sanzio)

1. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony 1 (A Sea Symphony) * *
2. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves * *
3. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis * *
     Further Interest: The Lark Ascending * *
4. Edward Elgar: Serenade for String Orchestra in E minor Op 20 * *
5. Edward Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Op 39 No.1 March in D Major * *
6. Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations Op 36 * *
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Vaugn Williams

2036-2037 TERM 3 Jean Sibelius (1865-1957; zhan suh BAY lee us) and Edvard Grieg (1843 -1907) (This term's artist: John Singer Sargent)

1. Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite no 1 Op 46 * *
2. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A Op 16 * *
3. Grieg - Norwegian Dance Op 35 no 2 * *
4. Grieg - Lyric Suite Op 54 * *
     For further interest: Lyric Pieces Op. 12 * *
5. Sibelius - Finlandia Op. 26 no 7 * *
6. Sibelius - Symphony No. 1 in E min Op. 39 * * or Symphony No. 2 in D maj Op. 43 * *
     Free Ebook for younger students Edvard Grieg: The Boy Who Made Music in the Land of the Midnight Sun by Thomas Tapper
     Classics for Kids Past Shows: Grieg


Classical Music Resources

We are compiling additional art, music, and poetry suggestions for those who would like to supplement or alternate works by a more diverse group of artists. View this work in progress.

AO mom Megan Hoyt wrote A Touch of the Infinite: Studies in Music Appreciation with Charlotte Mason combining her own personal music background, CM's methodology from the Home Education volumes, and books CM used for music teaching in her own schools. Megan Hoyt explains that there's more to Composer Study than listening to six pieces of music from the same composer: musical terms, ear training and listening skills, reading musical notation, distinguishing musical instruments, folksongs are all parts of CM music study. ($amzn) Listen to her talk about her book with Cindy Rollins on the Mason Jar podcast here. (If you benefit from this book, Megan would love for you to leave a positive review at amazon.com!)

How Did Charlotte Mason Teach Music?

Do I have to use AmblesideOnline's music selections?

Listen and/or Download Music (Please be careful to use sites that offer legal downloads. More information)
   Internet Archive free downloadable music
   Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum free downloadable classical music
   Classical Cat - "the free classical catalog" indexes "some 6000 free classical music performances"
   Piano Society Free Classical Music
   Inexpensive Classical Music MP3 downloads at eClassical.com and amazon.com
   Videos and Playlist from the L.A. Philharmonic/Hollywood Bowl/Walt Disney Concert Hall
   WDAV 24-hour commercial-free classical music. An Advisory favorite.
   KCME One Advisory member's favorite. No ads, wide programming, friendly announcers.
   WRR 101 Dallas's first radio station
   WCPE listener supported, commercial-free
   Classical KING FM Features helps for beginner         
   EarlyMusic.net They "support and promote early music and historical performance." There's a link to listen online.

Websites dedicated to public education in classical music:
   Naxos music label; Composers
   https://www.classicalarchives.com/
   A Music Glossary
   Classics for Kids Online radio programs about composers with their music in the background. Their Composer Explorer allows you to search for composers alphabetically.

Parents' Review articles that discuss music appreciation:
     Art and Literature in the Parents' Union School
     Music and Art in PNEU Schools
     There are also a few vintage Parents' Review articles about specific composers. Browse through the contents here.

Books About Composers

Opal Wheeler composer biographies have been republished by Zeezok Publishing. Those in print have been linked above, along with their corresponding composer.

Gladys Burch wrote compilations of composer biographies. They are out of print but can still be found used:

   A Child's Book of Famous Composers by Gladys Burch, 1939; includes:
      Palestrina
      Bach
      Handel
      Gluck
      Haydn
      Mozart
      Beethoven
      Schubert
      Mendelssohn
      Chopin
      Schumann
      Liszt
      Wagner
      Verdi
      Foster
      Brahms
      Tchaikovsky
      Grieg
      MacDowell
      Debussy

   Famous Violinists for Young People by Gladys Burch, 1946; includes:
      Corelli
      Vivaldi
      Tartini
      Viotti
      Paganini
      Spohr
      Bull
      Joachim
      Wieniawski
      Sarasate
      Auer
      Ysaye
      Kreisler
      Spalding

   Famous Pianists for Young People by Gladys Burch, 1943; includes:
      Liszt
      Rubinstein
      von Bulow
      de Pachmann
      Carreno
      Paderewski
      Busoni
      Rachmaninoff
      Hofmann
      Grainger

   Modern Composers for Young People by Gladys Burch, 1941; includes:
      Mussorgsky
      Dvorak
      Rimsky-Korsakov
      Humperdinck
      Elgar
      Delius
      Strauss,
      Sibelius
      Scriabin
      Vaughan Williams
      Schoenberg
      Ravel
      Carpenter
      de falla
      Respighi
      Bartok
      Stravinsky
      Griffes
      Prokofiev
      Gershwin

Online Texts:

The World's Great Men of Music: Story-Lives of Master Musicians by Harriette Brower
      Includes chapters on:
      Palestrina
      Bach
      Handel
      Gluck
      Haydn
      Mozart
      Beethoven
      Weber
      Schubert
      Mendelssohn
      Schumann
      Chopin
      Berlioz
      Liszt
      Verdi
      Wagner
      Franck
      Brahms
      Grieg
      Tchaikowsky
      MacDowell
      Debussy
      Toscanini
      Stokowsky
      Koussevitzky.

Story Lives of the Great Musicians by Frances Rowbotham (middle/high school) Includes:
      Bach
      Handel
      Haydn
      Mozart
      Beethoven
      Schubert
      Mendelssohn

Music Talks for Children by Thomas Tapper for younger children, explains why we should study music, how music is all around us, what makes a classic, etc.

Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Volume 14 by Elbert Hubbard: A rambling discourse on what the artists were like; probably most suitable for Years 6-12.
Volume 14 includes chapters about:
      Wagner
      Paganini
      Chopin
      Schumann
      Bach
      Mendelssohn
      Liszt
      Beethoven
      Handel
      Verdi
      Mozart
      Brahms.
      (His other volumes are not about musicians.)

Thomas Tapper etexts on various composers are suited for younger children.

Search Project Gutenberg's collection of music etexts. Click on Advanced Search and type Music in the Subject box.

Suggestions for More Music

(for summer study, substitution terms, or simply for fun!)

Respighi - Fountains of Rome, 1916 * four lovely symphonic poems about day dawning, and ending over four fountains. You can even hear the water!
O'Connor - Johnny Appleseed Suite four pieces of pure fun, 1993
Johann Strauss waltzes - an easy way to ease into classical music * *
Scott Joplin - another fun way to ease into classical music *   Joplin playing Joplin *

Additional Iconically Beautiful Works That Should Not Be Missed

Jenkins - Benedictus from "The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace," 1999 *
Doyle - Non nobis, Domine from the movie Henry V, 1989 *
Allegri - Miserere, 1630's *

And More . . .

Holdridge - Finale (End Credits) from "East of Eden," 1981 *
Morricone - Theme from "The Mission," 1986 *
Elmer Bernstein - Theme from "To Kill a Mockingbird," 1962 *
An hour-long beautifully staged Baroque concert featuring Le Consort and the lovely voice of Eva Zaïcik *
Prokofiev - Montagus and Capulets (for piano) * *
Restful Adagios: playlists * * *
      Gluck - Dance of the Blessed Spirits * *
      Massenet - Meditation from "Thais" * *
      Bach - Prelude in C * *
      Bach - Air on G string * *
      Bach - Sheep May Safely Graze * *
      Grieg - Morning Mood * *
      Liszt - Liebestraume no 3 in A-flat major * *
      Liszt - Consolation no. 3 * *
      Beethoven - Fur Elise * *
      Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata * *
      Pachelbel - Canon in D * * *


Thank You!
The Advisory wishes to express our gratitude to the members of the former CMMusic list (now The Classical Review), especially Don Fairchild and Patrice Atwell, for their help with conceptualizing the initial Composer Schedule, and Megan Hoyt for helping to expand it.

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