Notices, Navigation, and Links

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Check out a collection of rounds with midi sound and printable images of the music here.

This site serves a dual purpose: to share fun stuff with others and to spread information that might be of interest to those making use of it. Please do check out the soft sell for classical music listeners.

Try your ear at a WQRS-style contest!

Additional material remains to be uploaded to this site. For a quick look at each month's additions, bookmark the updates page.

Take a tour of counterpoint.

Davis Gloff's Web Site

1999-2000 Cultural Events Calendar for southeastern Michigan

The homepage for the Detroit Classical Radio Corporation

Credits and Legal Stuff

Additional links may be found on the other pages.

With the demise of WQRS (Detroit FM 105.1), people have lost an important information source. A classical music station does serve as a music reference librarian, and in southeastern Michigan these libraries have closed. (For sources of information about efforts to revive classical music broadcasting, take a look at the home of the Detroit Classical Radio Corporation.)
There is no substitute for hearing the music, but at least those with Internet access can get written answers to the questions they might have. The unfortunate ones are those for whom the radio was the only resource. For what it's worth, here are some answers to questions WQRS was asked:
1. I've read something about Bach, and it talks about counterpoint and contrapuntal music. I can figure out that both terms refer to the same thing, but what's that?
You can be singing contrapuntal music in 5 minutes or less.
2. What was the music the choir sang at the end of the Princess of Wales' funeral?
John Tavener, Song for Athene.
It was written for the funeral of Athene Hariades, one of Tavener's friends, so the title used for Diana's funeral was "Alleluia"
3. What was the piano piece played in the movie Shine? How can I listen to it?
The Rachmaninoff third piano concerto. (For a fiery, passionate performance, try the recording by the Argentine pianist, Martha Argerich.)
If you like this music, try the second Rachmaninoff piano concerto or the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (about 15 minutes into this piece you'll hear a theme used in the Christopher Reeves movie Somewhere in Time).
And if you want to explore further, try the Rachmaninoff second symphony or the Grieg piano concerto or Liszt's 2nd piano concerto.

4. I'm getting married. What's the music I've always heard at weddings?

Probably: Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary (often for the groomsmen) If you can't find it, look for Purcell's Trumpet Voluntary–it's often misidentified
Handel's air from the Water Music (often for the bridesmaids)
Wagner, Wedding March from Lohengrin ("Here comes the bride")
Mendelssohn, Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream (often the recessional)

5. What's the meaning of the word that sounds like "scared so"?

"Scherzo" is Italianate musicspeak for "a little joke". It sometimes provides light relief in a symphony or sonata.

6. I heard an orchestra playing what sounded like "Frère Jacques". What was that?

Probably Gustav Mahler's Symphony No.1.
If you like this, look for a recording of Mozart's piano variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je maman" (otherwise known as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star").

 
Please send other questions and use the subject heading MUSIC QUERY.