In the previous post, I had mentioned that my friends combine the first collection (Ephemeral) and this collection (Ethereal) under the designation, The Wedding and Ball Collection, because these marvelous songs are the most popular at weddings, balls, and other formal social events. That's the main reason why these historic, finely aged, sensational songs are called Classics, because they never go out of style. The allure and enchantment of these grand masterpieces are timeless and everlasting.
Just as in the previous post, click on the artist's name to open or download the piece. Do this, especially if you see an "Invalid Source" or "Error Code" in the clips. That just means the clips are taking a while to load, like vids in a post sometimes do, especially for large files. A few of these clips are near 10MB, so it might take some time to load. Click on the artist name to open or download that particular clip. If you want. Let me know what you think. I'm still working out the kinks of uploading music to the post without using an embedded mp3 player. This is still a work in progress, an ongoing experiment to improve this site. Please let me know if the links work for you or not. I have updated the post at the bottom to include the site where you can download the pieces directly. Thank you for your patience. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this theme's selection. I would like to hear your thoughts on these pieces.
Each piece is a treasure, a work of art. Unique. Inspiring. And so captivating and mesmerizing in its own way. And no other piece can catch one's attention quite like the first song in the Ethereal theme:
George Frideric Handel: Water Music: Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349: II. Alla Hornpipe
Water music is a triumphant and celebratory piece that just calls to mind angelic heralds and otherworldly beings singing high praises, announcing to the whole world, without a doubt, that there is a great celebration to be had, and a glorious festive time is at hand.
It is a stirring and exciting piece that is full of energy and life.
Antonio Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons), Op. 8 - Concerto No. 1 in E Major, RV 269, "La primavera" (Spring): I. Allegro
I love this Vivaldi Spring number! And it's all about the beauty and the renewing power of spring, of new growth and new life, full of hope and happiness and wonder. It makes me want to dance with joy...and I have done so, many, many times to this festive number--both drunk and sober, by myself or with another. I love how the vibrant, enchanting, and inviting spirit of the music makes me feel full of life and carefree zest and daring. It's a fantastic piece of art.
Antonio Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons), Op. 8 - Concerto No. 3 in F Major, RV 293 "L'autunno": I. Allegro
Part of Antonio Vivaldi's amazing Four Seasons masterpiece, I love this Autumn song. It fills me with a powerful, wild, reckless energy that moves me to live life to the fullest, to be free, and to fearlessly forge ahead. It's a haunting and exciting piece. And at times, it feels as if it's drawing you to walk the razor's edge between enlightenment and utter chaos, daring you to take bold action and have an adventure. By reminding us of the passage of time, autumn urges us to seize the moment, to embrace change, to take chances while we still can. Make the most of life while you still can.
As an early Happy Holidays and Happy Birthday gift to you all, I present you with a link to download the incredible, magnificent performance of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, by the amazing John Harrison with the wondrous and astounding Wichita State University Chamber Players. Feliz Navidad and Feliz Cumpleanos.
Enjoy this fantastic, wonderful, outstanding album. Share it with friends and loved ones, especially the little ones. And tell me which pieces are your favorite or what they make you think and feel.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air ("On a G String")
Air. Such an appropriate name for a piece that sounds so heavenly, light, and radiant. It's so hauntingly beautiful and sad, and it fills me with longing and hope at the same time. It is a magnificent piece.
Incidentally, this song also makes me want to take a trip abroad and live the high life. That's because the first time that I heard this song was from an overseas travel and tourism commercial. The people in the commercial, looking stylish and haughty and carefree, were having fun sipping coffee at a sidewalk cafe and later, they were all dressed up and drinking wine in some fancy mansion or palace. And in between, there were shots of a river; some bridges; yachts; lots of old, ornate statues and buildings; and art. I'm not exactly sure what European destination the commercial was trying to sell. But I remember this song playing, and ever since, I have this warped view that if I ever find myself in some big European city by a river, I'd best be drinking coffee at sidewalk cafes and have wine in palaces, all while looking stylish and haughty and having a good time, just like the people in the old commercial.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: Allegro
This is a lively and festive work of art. It is such a triumphant and energetic piece. It makes me think of the harvest and gatherings, of festivals and carnivals, of feasts and frivolities. It is a call to celebrate and commemorate with friends and loved ones. Don't let the past hold you back, it's over and done with. And don't let an unknown future frighten you and keep you from moving forward. Embrace the wonderful people and things in your present. Live in the now, and celebrate and embrace every moment of life you are lucky enough to spend with those you love, doing things that make you happy and bring you joy.
This song a pleasing, wonderful reminder to enjoy life and cherish the people in our lives.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Double Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV1043: II. Largo ma non tanto
Better known as the Bach Double (for violins), this piece is intriguing and mysterious, yet so full of yearning and hope. This song always makes me introspective and thoughtful, mindful of where I am, where I've been, and where I am going. And it brings to mind all those I've met on my life's journey, and it fills me with thoughts of what life means to me, and am I living it the best way possible? Am I aware of my place in the world? And where will I go from here?
Johann Sebastian Bach: Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
This is such a dreamy piece. I feel as if I'm being transported into a magical world, flying above it all, in search of peace and enlightenment. I imagine this is the sound of angels granting miracles to make the world a better place.
Johann Pachelbel: Canon in D Major
Pachelbel's Canon in D Major is the most beautiful and finest song ever created. Ever!!! I love this piece, because it's so stunning and exquisite and absolutely gorgeous. It is so full of wonder and hope and joy and love. It's my favorite Classical music piece of all time, one of my favorite songs ever. And it fills me with happiness and hope every time I hear it.
If aliens from some distant world and time ever stumble upon the remains of our civilization, this one piece of art is the best representation of our species, our history, and our identity. We are not always wise, nor peaceful, nor altruistic. And we are not always the strongest nor smartest. We are capable of so much destruction, much of it self inflicted, and we make so many mistakes. But as Pachelbel's Canon in D Major exemplifies, humanity is also capable of so much more. We have the potential to create art, to do noble things, to work together to make the world a better and kinder place to live. We can recognize beauty and create so many masterpieces. We are capable of so many wonders, even with all our weaknesses and shortsightedness, we can always find a way to be better, that we all deserve a second chance. And perhaps that is the true nature and core of humanity. In all that we do, we want something better, if not for our loved ones, then for ourselves. We try to do our best in spite of all our limitations and failings, we keep trying. And so long as we keep trying, we have hope and the possibility of succeeding, of finding something better, of making our lives and our world a little bit more beautiful, more wonderful. We are a people who are defined by hope and love. It's what keeps us going in this infinitely vast and lonely universe. And Pachelbel's Canon in D Major is a testament to humanity's power to create, to dream, and to hope and love.
Pachelbel's Canon in D Major also makes me want to clean, to get rid of the mess and clutter that bogs me down in life. I've used this song to motivate me to clean house so many times. Now, whenever I hear this song at a wedding, I have to resist the urge to get up and clean up after that flower girl who is tossing all those petals on the floor, leaving a big old mess behind. I also have to resist the temptation to tell people to stop throwing all that rice and seeds on the wedding couple as they exit the church. It's a huge mess and a waste of food that could feed lots of people and critters. It almost seems like assault, throwing food at the wedding couple, and it's like vandalism leaving all that rice and seeds scattered across the front of the church. Someone's going to have to clean all that up. And that person has my sympathies.
If you want to keep tradition and throw something to bless the new couple with good fortune, I suggest you blow bubbles on the happy couple instead. And decorum dictates that's the only kind of blowing one should do to the newly wed couple at this time. A wedding, though joyous, is foremost, a classy, respectful, and elegant event.
And there you have it. These are the Classical songs that make me think ethereal, heavenly thoughts. They are so different, unique, yet they are all so outstanding and wondrous in their own way. They stand out as timeless and majestic, extraordinary. They are among my favorites to listen to, whether I am cleaning or just relaxing. And I hope that you enjoy them, too.
Update
In case you have problems clicking on the artists' names to open or download the pieces, here is the site where you can access the pieces directly:
eroswings music 2
Please let me know if you if you experience any problems or even if the links are working or not. Your help and feedback is greatly appreciated in improving this site. Thank you.
A special thank you to MJ and IDV for helping me troubleshoot the site issues. Your feedback helped me decided to erase the old codes and start off with new ones. Hopefully, the players work better now. Please let me know if there are any other problems. Thank you.
Related Links
The Sound of Music: 1. The Classics - Ephemeral
The Sound of Music: Classics - The Nutcracker
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 1
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 2
The Sound of Music 3: The Classics - Ebullient
The Sound of Music: Classics - Swan Lake
The Sound of Music: Classics - Requiem
The Sound of Music: Classics - Opera Part 1
I'm clicking on the artists' names but rather than beginning to play the clip, a box pops up saying to "Open with Windows Media Player."
ReplyDeleteMJ, Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'm working on a solution. I'm not sure if it's the site or perhaps a software update on your computer or mine. In the meantime, here is the site address where you can open/download the music directly:
Deleteeroswings music 2.
I'm updating the post to include the site address in case others run into a similar problem. Let me know if it works or not. I'll try and see what could be causing this. Thank you for your assistance in informing me about the problem and for your patience.
MJ, I was wondering if Windows Media Player is your usual mp3 player when you click on other sites to open/download music. It's usually the standard that comes with all Windows OS computers. But a lot of people opt to use another mp3 player, usually one that isn't loaded with Windows baggage/bloatware.
DeleteAnd sometimes there all ready is an alternative player included in your computer from one of the software vendors who have software/programs that came with your computer. Do you use a particular mp3 player? If you're not sure that there are other mp3 players on your computer,
Try this:
1. Right click on the artist name link in the blog post.
2. The pop up menu should have an "Open" option or better yet an "Open with" option. Click on that.
3. A window should pop up offering you choices of which mp3 player to use. If not, there should be an option in the window to look up/choose other media/mp3 players on your computer. Click on that link/icon to show other mp3/media player options. Click on the mp3 player you prefer to use.
4. The chosen mp3 player should start playing the music. If you're happy with your chosen player, there should be an option in the player menu to make it your default player, so it'll automatically play mp3s the next time you click on an mp3 link.
Let me know if this helps or not.
Just checked and it's working for me now if I click on the little "play" arrow UNDER the name of the artist, rather than on the artist's name. Previously, the arrow wasn't working for me.
DeleteGreat! Thanks for letting me know it all works as it should. Your feedback is very much appreciated! After you and IDV reported the same problem, I decided to go back, erase the old code, started anew, and it worked.
DeleteOh, I love Bach's Suite No. 1 in G major Prelude! And the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Allegro.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your friends that these pieces of music could form a Weddings & Ball Collection. They're a staple of many events and functions.
Now on to the technical stuff: All the little black boxes state "this type of audio file isn't supported", so I clicked on the highlighted names and got the choice of saving the music to one of my files. However, your last post worked perfectly for me.
IDV, Thank you for the feedback. It was very helpful. Along with MJ's feedback, I decided to erase the old code and inserted a new one. Hopefully, the player will work better now. If not, please feel free to let me know so I can fix it.
DeleteBach is brilliant! I'm always surprised at how much of his work I've been exposed to without even realizing it was his creation. And he created some truly beautiful masterpieces.
Oh, yes - it's all working perfectly now, thank you (just having another listen to Air on a G String).
DeleteIDV, You're welcome! And thank you for the letting me know that all is working as it should.
DeleteAir on a G String is sublime, such a wonderful work of art.
Sorry, can't be helpful, it just works. Good old Clementine just plays it.
ReplyDeleteDid you hear music composed by Johann Sebastian's sons ? One of them, forgot his name, sorry, did things always a bit different - worth a try, I think it was Johann Christian, the London Bach.
Mago, Your feedback is very useful. If the clips are working, that's a very good sign that the changes I made has fixed the problem. Thank you for letting me know that the clips are working.
DeleteThank you for letting me know about Johann Sebastian Bach's son. I will add him to the list of musicians I am discovering, to learn more about their fantastic works. Classical music is so much richer and varied than I realized. And it's fun finding all these musical treasures.
I would put these in my pomp and circumstance file :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love Air - On a G string.
Sx
Thanks, Scarlet. Air - on a G string is resplendent! Just like you!
Delete