Kasey Chambers

Franz Schubert was born on January 31, 1797, in Himmelpfortgrund near Vienna Austria. He was an Austrian composer. He himself wrote six hundred secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, operas, sacred music and a large body of chamber and piano music. His appreciation was limited to a relatively small circle of admirers in Vienna. Schubert’s father, Franz Theodor Schubert, was a school teacher; his mother was what we call a modern day “stay at home mom.” Franz had three older brothers…

Fidelio An Opera by Ludwig van Beethoven "Fidelio," opera in two acts, by Ludwig van Beethoven. Produced in three acts, as "Fidelio, oder, die eheliche Liebe" (Fidelio, or Conjugal Love), at the Theatre on the Wien, November 20, 1805. Revised and given at the Imperial Private Theatre, March 29, 1806, but withdrawn after a few performances. Again revised and successfully brought out May 23, 1814, at the Kärnthnerthor Theatre (Theatre at the Carinthian Gate), Vienna, Paris, Théâtre Lyrique,…

Ever since entering Dr. Berdahl’s chamber music class, I have grown more found with working with other instruments from outside of my comfort zone. I really like the idea of sight reading and being able to accompany other instruments to create wonderful music together. This semester I would like to recommend just two pieces of music for Chamber ensemble from the same composer, to focus on working together and learning the appropriate style. Franz Schubert, January 31, 1797 - November 19, 1828,…

Upon attending the International Chamber Music Festival Concert, a certain ecstatic vibe could be felt as the performers walked on stage with their musical instruments. The virtuoso’s performed in pieces that contained trios, duets, and quintets; showing the concentration they required when listening to each other. When working on Chamber Music, much of the melody jumps around from instrument to instrument, show casing various solos and much of the instruments having to coincide with each other…

General Reaction: The concert I attended entitled “Illuminations” was located at the Sottile Theatre, an old historical building on the College of Charleston campus. The theatre was very nice and elegant. The decor there is very eclectic with bright red carpeting throughout and classical pictures decorating the walls. I felt like I was in an old plantation house. We arrived at the theatre thirty minutes early and were able to take in the sights completely before the concert began. My wife…

Schumann’s Involvement in Resurrecting J.S. Bach As editor and writer for his own music journal, Neue Zeitscrift für Musik, Robert Schumann made it his personal mission to write about worthy composers and lift them up as examples to the music community. He was tired of the “Philistines” of the current music establishment, such as Wagner and Meyerbeer, who he felt were commercial and pretentious. He brought Brahms and Chopin to Germany’s notice, because he felt that their music was “honest craft…

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Vienna on January 27, 1756. He was born to a mother, father, and sister. There were more children, but no one lived past childhood. Wolfgang was a determined and musically smart little boy. He knew what he was doing behind a set of piano keys. He was a prodigy to say the least. He accomplished more in a lifetime then most could in two lifetimes. Over the course of his thirty-five years on earth he composed around 600 compositions. Mozart’s family…

Mozart’s Allegro in C K5a was my choice of music for that day’s function. One of Mozart’s earliest compositions, it was a lively piece. After my name was announced, I started gliding my finger tips on the white keys, the lilting notes started wafting in the hall and mesmerized my audience that comprised of faculty of my school and my fellow students. I loved that piece; its fluidity and ease of composition exhilarated me. Each movement was perfect and the tempo quick and happy. I had played with…

Introduction to Opera Compare the characters of Carmen and Micaëla in Carmen. What are the differences between them, how is this expressed in the music, and do you think the outcome is inevitable? Introduction Bizet's Carmen is an Opera in four acts, first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March with a plot based on the 1845 novella by Mérimée. Today it stands as one of the most popular french operas of all time.The Opera explores the relationship between the enchanting Carmen and…

Arcangelo Corelli is an impressionable Italian composer and violinist who exercised a wide influence on his musical peers and on the succeeding generation of composers. Arcangelo Corelli is the 5th child of very prosperous landowners. He was born on February 17 1653 in Fusignano near Bologna, Italy to Santa Raffini who was recent left a widow after his father died just five weeks before his birth. His mother named him after his deceased father Arcangelo. His first teacher is thought to be the…