Sunday Classical Music: Lalo Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21, 1st Movement

Although Edouard Lalo is not one of the most immediately recognized names in French music, his distinctive style has earned him some degree of popularity. Symphonie Espagnole for Violin and Orchestra still enjoys a prominent place in violinists' repertoire, and is known in many classical circles simply as "The Lalo".

Violin: Vadim Repin
Conductor: David Robertson
Orchestra: Orchestre National de Lyon

Sunday Classical Music: Brahms Double Concerto in A Minor Op 102, Vivace Non Troppo (3rd Movement)

Nothing can beat the excitement, thrill, energy, drama and romance from this Brahms classical piece. It may not be as well-known as the other Brahms concertos, but when it is played by two excellent musicians accompanied by a good orchestra and an excellent conductor, it attains the greatness of the more popular Brahms concertos.

Violin: Julia Fischer
Cello: Daniel Müller-Schott
Conductor: Christoph Poppen
Orchestra: Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken

Sunday Classical Music: Beethoven Violin Concerto, Rondo Allegro (3rd Mvmt)

The 3rd movement of this Beethoven violin concerto contains one of the most well-known violin rifts in classical music. This movement is my favorite part from this particular violin concerto. The video features korean violinist Kyung Wha Chung with conductor Klaus Tennstedt and the Royal Dutch Orchestra. The concert was performed in 1989. I picked this one because of the passion of her interpretation, plus the beautiful cadenza she did at the end. Enjoy!

Sunday Classical Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, KV 531

This concerto is one of my favorite Vivaldi compositions. In fact, I like this better than the Four Seasons. I hope you like it too. I am posting the best interpretation of the piece (in my opinion) that is available from Youtube.

Dvořák Anyone?

"I am a simple Czech musician" - This was how Antonin Dvořák always described himself when asked what he does for a living. To me, he is one of the greatest musician of all time. There is a reason why his music is still played and listened to this day a century after his death. His music is simply beautiful and powerful.

I was introduced to Dvořák's music when I was invited to see a concert in Carnegie Hall in 1997. It was Miklos Perenyi performing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Miklos Perenyi played Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B Minor that night. When I heard it, I instantly became a Dvořák fan.

I love Dvořák's music so much that even my ringtone is a Dvořák: Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E Minor (watch video below to get an idea of how my ringtone sounds like). Everyone in my office loves my Dvořák ringtone. They say it is very beautiful and unique! They have never heard such a ringtone before. Check it out. Maybe you'll become a Dvořák fan yourself.

Who is your favorite musician?


Dvořák's Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E Minor performed by Itshak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma with Seiji Ozawa conducting.



Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B Minor performed by Yo-Yo Ma with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Kurt Masur conducting. (Note: This is only part 1. If you want to watch the rest, please go to Youtube and do a search for this piece.)