CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH BIG MIKE
The Three Great Eras Of Classical Music
When one talks about classical music [the generic term] they are usually talking about the three great eras of music: Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. So, classical music is differentiated from the Classical era, as classical music is comprised of music from all those three eras and not just the Classical era. 1. Baroque Era: This…
Keep readingHappy Birthday Sir Edward Elgar
Happy Birthday Sir, Edward Elgar That Is On June 2, 1857 was born the great English [Broadheath, United Kingdom] composer Edward Elgar. In 1904, King Edward VII would knight, Edward Elgar, for recognition of his great works, and from that day on he would become known as Sir Edward Elgar. From Elgar-biography: “[As a child…
Keep readingChopin Magic
Chopin Magic ‘Could it Be Magic’, was the name of the pop song written by composer and singer Barry Manilow. It was magic, as it’s opening was taken directly from one of my favorite Romantic Era composers, especially for piano music, Frederic Chopin. Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, was the quintessential Romantic composer. There…
Keep readingHappy Birthday Brahms and Tchaikovsky
May 7th wawas the birth date for two of the giants in the Romantic Era of music, Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Brahms was born in the year of 1833 and seven years later in the year, 1840 was born Tchaikovsky. Both of these composers were known for their big orchestral sound filled with…
Keep readingHappy Birthday #341 JS Bach!
Keep readingHappy Birthday JS Bach
The quintessential Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was born 341 years ago in Germany on either March 21, 1685 or March 31, 1685 – this time dispute relates to the change of calendars [Julian to Gregorian] during that time period. Because most musicologists celebrate Bach’s birthday on March 31, this blog also will celebrate his…
Keep readingMy Top 10 Favorite Melodies in Classical Music
There are many thousands of beautiful melodies in classical music in all three Eras of classical music, Baroque; Classical; and Romantic. So, I am going way out on a limb attempting to choose my 10 favorites. I will limit my choices to the symphonic and chamber works without voice [so I will not include any…
Keep readingHappy Birthday Franz Schubert
On January 31, 1797 classical music composer, Franz Schubert, was born in Vienna, Austria. This child prodigy of the late classical, early Romantic era of music died at the age of 31, and despite his short life this true genius was a prolific composer of many forms of classical music. He completed many overtures, symphonies,…
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Happy Birthday Mozart
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, is the 270th heavenly birthday of one of my favorite composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The quintessential classical composer was born Jan. 27, 1756 in Austria. Sadly, Mozart died at the young age of 35, on December 5, 1791 in his home in Vienna, Austria. Mozart was a child prodigy on piano…
Keep readingHappy Birthday Beethoven!
On Dec. 16*, 1770, one of the giants in classical music, the great composer and pianist, Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. Historians are in some dispute on the exact date of his birth. *His birthday is celebrated on the 16th because he was baptized on Dec. 17, and most think that means…
Keep readingMoving The Beauty Along
In classical music some of the most beautiful moving and romantic melodies are pieces that are usually scored in the speed of adagio or andante [i.e., slow tempo], but that is not always the case. There are some great pieces of melodic music where the whole piece or movement of a piece is scored in…
Keep readingThis Russian Composer’s Music Has Become a Staple In Two American Holidays
As we are nearing the Christmas season 2025, I repeat this post first published a few years ago. Sometimes I will ask classical music lovers who is their favorite composer and almost always the names of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach will come up. In fact, that is the names I would mention when asked who…
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Classical Music With Big Mike 