The Great Composers

By: Colorado Public Radio
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  • Summary

  • The Great Composers dives deep into the lives behind some of the greatest music ever written. Host Karla Walker and conductor Scott O'Neil look at the world through the eyes of these gifted artists. Learn about obstacles they overcame, and their loves, losses, successes and failures. You'll feel you know Mozart, Rachmaninov and others as friends.
    Colorado Public Radio
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Episodes
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 8: A Stunning Finale

    Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 8: A Stunning Finale
    Nov 3 2018
    When the urge to compose finally struck again, Rachmaninoff took a little theme by Nicolo Paganini and turned it into a tour de force for the piano and orchestra, called Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. In this final episode of the Great Composers series on Rachmaninoff, we also explore Rachmaninoff’s final masterpiece -- the Symphonic Dances. Rachmaninoff reaches back to the debilitating early failure of Symphony No. 1 and brings those early musical ideas to a glorious new realization.
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    34 mins
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 7: The Making Of A Sacred Masterwork

    Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 7: The Making Of A Sacred Masterwork
    Oct 26 2018
    After four long years living outside of Russia due to political instability, Rachmaninoff was finally able to bring his family home. He returned with a determination to write a Russian sacred piece that would be a lasting contribution to the orthodox repertoire. The composer ultimately found success with his "All-Night Vigil," considered the crowning achievement in Russian sacred music. But the world around Rachmaninoff became chaotic again.
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    24 mins
  • Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 6: Triumph And Revolution

    Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 6: Triumph And Revolution
    Oct 19 2018
    Clickety clack. That’s all Sergei Rachmaninoff heard as he practiced his new Piano Concerto No. 3 in advance of his big American tour, during which he would debut the piece. That’s because he finished the piece just before departing for the U.S. and didn't leave himself time to practice. He had to make do with practicing on a silent keyboard on the ship. When you hear how fiendishly difficult the piece is, it makes this story even more amazing.
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    25 mins

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