You’ll hear a quiz at 6:40 a.m.
The Mystery Piece theme? Tritones!
A tritone is a musical interval spanning three whole tones. In the Middle Ages, it was sometimes called “diabolus in musica” ("the devil in music.") It can sound tense and unstable, making us long for a resolution. You’ll hear famous pieces that feature tritones. Can you name them? (Thanks to Rochester music teacher Ben Burroughs for suggesting this theme. Your ideas are welcome at classical@wxxi.org.)
Monday, July 20
Start a new week with the gentle beauty of Quiet City by Aaron Copland played by the Eastman Wind Ensemble with Wynton Marsalis.
Tuesday, July 21
Wake up with recordings by pianist Jon Nakamatsu, soprano J’Nai Bridges, trombonist Lisa Albrecht, and the Janus Guitar Duo.
Wednesday, July 22
Enjoy music for all of the moods of the morning in works by Doreen Carwithen, Kurt Weill, and Franz Joseph Haydn. Amy Barston plays music for solo cello by J.S. Bach.
Thursday, July 23
Reena Esmail had just begun studying Indian classical music when she composed a piece called “Zinfandel.” Email says, “While writing the fast section, I held an image in my mind: a glimmer of light reflecting and refracting off the surface of the dark, rich wine.” Hear the one of the first pieces in which she tried to get a sense of the heritage that ultimately became a major influence on her style.
Friday, July 24
You are invited to wake up with high energy music by William Grant Still, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate.
