Classical Music for Summer: A Selection of Cool and Refreshing Masterpieces

Piano Quintet “The Trout,” Fourth MovementFranz Schubert

Schubert Ensemble: Schubert “Trout” Quintet, 4th Movement.

In the summer of 1819, while visiting northern Austria, I was asked by an amateur musician to compose a quintet based on my 1817 song “Die Forelle” (The Trout).

I quickly began working on the idea and completed the “Trout” Quintet within the same year.

The piece vividly depicts a trout playing in a brook and its dramatic capture by an angler.

Heroic PolonaiseFrederic Chopin

(Bunin)Chopin Polonaise Op.53

From 1839 to 1846, Chopin spent his winters in Paris and his summers in Nohant (in central France), where his lover George Sand had a country house.

He produced many works during this period, and the “Heroic” Polonaise was composed in the summer of 1842 in Nohant.

“The Pearl Fishers” Act 1: “Your Voice Remains in My Heart”Georges Bizet

Placido Domingo in Pearl fishes

This is an opera by Bizet, famous for Carmen, depicting the love and friendship of pearl fishers on the shores of Ceylon.

It features beautiful melodies characteristic of Bizet, such as the duet of friendship for tenor and baritone and the aria “Your voice I can still hear,” which recalls a memory of love.

Violin Sonata No. 1 “Rain Song”Johannes Brahms

Brahms – Sonata No.1 G Major – Vivace ma non troppo part I

This work was completed in the summer of 1879, half a year after the death of Felix, the youngest child of the Schumann couple and a poet, who passed away at the young age of 25.

Also known by the subtitle “Rain Song,” this Violin Sonata No.

1 was written when Brahms was 46 years old, and it is said to embody his feelings for Felix.

Piano Trio No. 1 “Russian Summer”: I. NocturneJudith Lang Zaimont

Piano Trio No. 1 “Russian Summer”: I. Nocturne

This piece is Judith Lang Zaimont’s Piano Trio No.

1 “Russian Summer”: I.

Nocturne.

The beautiful harmony woven by the piano and strings has a gentle quality, like flickering shafts of sunlight filtering through leaves on a summer day.

In true contemporary fashion, it’s wonderful how even dissonance is transformed into part of the work’s allure.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Piano Suite “The Seasons” June: BarcarollePyotr Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky – June: Barcarolle (G minor) – Lang Lang

Tchaikovsky’s piano cycle The Seasons depicts all twelve months in music, written to appear monthly in a Russian music magazine from the January to the December 1876 issues.

While a barcarolle (boat song) is usually composed in 6/8 time, the piece “June: Barcarolle” is written in 4/4; nevertheless, its boat-like rocking rhythm feels completely natural.

Frosoblomster (Froso-Flowers), Book 1, Op. 16: No. 2. Sommarsang (Summer Song)Wilhelm Peterson-Berger

Frosoblomster (Froso-Flowers) , Book 1, Op. 16 (arr. J. Johansson) : No. 2. Sommarsang (Summer…

Wilhelm Peterson-Berger was a Swedish composer and music critic.

The Japanese title is “Flowers of Frösö,” with Frösö being an island in Jämtland, Sweden.

It’s said that the island could be seen even from his hospital room as he was passing away.

The gentle, flowing melody and the bright tones of the flute soothe the heart, conjuring images of the rich nature and blossoms on the island the composer loved.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to enjoy a leisurely summertime.

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kurichan

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