{"id":51030,"date":"2018-02-14T09:32:31","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T14:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=51030"},"modified":"2019-02-14T16:12:53","modified_gmt":"2019-02-14T21:12:53","slug":"liszts-six-off-the-radar-classical-music-choices-for-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2018\/02\/14\/liszts-six-off-the-radar-classical-music-choices-for-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"LISZTS | Six Off-The-Radar Classical Music Choices For Valentine&#8217;s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-51031\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/rs_500x205-160411113956-jones_gif6.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A few off-the-beaten-track selections for the classical music anti-Valentine\u2019s Day of your dreams!<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">1: <em>Lulu Suite<\/em> \u2014 Alban Berg<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Nothing says Valentine\u2019s Day in classical music quite like a serialist score, murder, suicide and Jack the Ripper! In the famous \u201cLied der Lulu\u201d aria from Act II of Alban Berg\u2019s Lulu, Lulu asks her husband for a divorce, while singing a hugely demanding aria ranging from middle C to a high D above the staff. The role has a long association with Canadian sopranos, as Teresa Stratas premiered the 3-act version at the Paris Opera in 1979, and Barbara Hannigan now holds the distinction of not only expertly singing the role of Lulu, but conducting the Lulu Suite while she sings the fiercely demanding aria. Check it out:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XatVOukxxtE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">2: Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18, Mvmt. 2,\u00a0 &#8220;Adagio Sostenuto&#8221; \u2014 Sergei Rachmaninoff<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to forget the iconic opening scene of Bridget Jones\u2019 Diary, where Renee Zellwegger drunkenly sings along to Eric Carmen\u2019s \u201cAll By Myself.\u201d After the hit release of Carmen\u2019s song, the artist was contacted by the estate of Rachmaninoff about Carmen\u2019s basing of his song on Rachmaninoff\u2019s Second Piano Concerto\u2019s second movement. (Rachmaninoff\u2019s estate now receives 12 percent of the royalties earned by the song.) Whether you like the Eric Carmen version or not, this Rachmaninoff movement makes a perfect lonely Valentine\u2019s Day backdrop.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XzuD5hveXuM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">3: <em>Je ne t\u2019aime pas<\/em> \u2014 Kurt Weill<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Who would\u2019ve thought a German composer could write something so quintessentially French? The Jewish composer Kurt Weill briefly lived in Paris during his flight out of Nazi Germany, which might explain his flawless grasp of French sensibility and ennuie. Composed for the French cabaret singer, Lys Gauty, this song features heartbroken, almost over-the-top sentimentality. Anne Sofie von Otter\u2019s version is perfect enjoyed alone with a bottle of wine while gazing out at a miserable cityscape (preferably in Paris).<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PGTTAT1VUfM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>4: &#8220;In uomini, In soldati &#8220;,\u00a0 <em>Cosi fan tutte<\/em> \u2014 W.A. Mozart<\/h3>\n<p>Though Mozart\u2019s Cosi fan tutte often gets a bad reputation for its anti-feminist plotline and outcome, the character of Despina certainly makes a case for feminism and not falling victim to the wiles of love (particularly with men). In this aria in Act I, she instructs Fiordiligi and Dorabella not to trust men, but rather to love for one\u2019s own pleasure and vanity. Those not looking to settle down quite yet might appreciate Despina\u2019s words celebrating the pleasures singledom can bring.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_SPL4-MOgKM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">5: &#8220;Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht\u00a0&#8220;(Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen) \u2014 G. Mahler<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ah, nothing like some Mahler to really depress your Valentine\u2019s Day. This first movement from his \u201cSongs of a wayfarer\u201d (with texts by himself) was inspired by the composer\u2019s hopeless love for soprano Johanna Richter, or as we might say now, Mahler\u2019s one-that-got-away. The piece moves from D minor into Mozart\u2019s tragic key of G minor, with oboes (d\u2019amore, ideally) and clarinets illustrating the singer\u2019s despair.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ur-3LrpgB0Y?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">6: &#8220;Sempre libera&#8221;, <em>La traviata<\/em> \u2014 G. Verdi<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alright. Everyone knows how Traviata ends for Violetta (SPOILER ALERT: she dies). And yes, she does follow her heart and end up running off with the love of her life. But! That doesn\u2019t mean she doesn\u2019t get to sing one of the greatest single ladies\u2019 anthems of all time at the end of Act I. Beyonc\u00e9, step aside, Violetta\u2019s got this one down in her thrilling cabaletta, \u201cSempre libera\u201d (\u201calways free\u201d). Here\u2019s the ultimate diva giving her rendition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ONNSTNDSm0Y?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3><b><i>LUDWIG VAN TORONTO<\/i><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><i>Want more updates on Toronto-centric classical music news and reviews before anyone else finds out? Follow us on\u00a0<\/i><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LudwigVanToronto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><i>Facebook<\/i><\/u><\/a><\/strong><\/span><i>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/i><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LudwigVanTO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><i>Twitter<\/i><\/u><\/a><\/strong><\/span><i><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u00a0<\/span>for all the latest.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-48756 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/10\/LudwigVan-head-text-looking_right.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"35\" height=\"55\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/10\/LudwigVan-head-text-looking_right.jpg 833w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/10\/LudwigVan-head-text-looking_right-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/10\/LudwigVan-head-text-looking_right-768x1213.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/10\/LudwigVan-head-text-looking_right-648x1024.jpg 648w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 35px) 100vw, 35px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"abh_box abh_box_down abh_box_business\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Classical music for the anti-Valentine\u2019s Day of your dreams!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":51032,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[14761,5722,5797],"tags":[3443],"yst_prominent_words":[11281,11030,6767,6715,15848,15843,16768,15847,7438,16767,10359,15239,13297,6616,7560,15278,16766,13014,16698,12179],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/Valantines-Day.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-dh4","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51030"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51030"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58716,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51030\/revisions\/58716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51030"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=51030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}