“Composers typically dedicated pieces to kings, powerful aristocracy, wealthy patrons, and the like,” writes Michael Rosin on Tuesday (11/22) at NYC classical music station WQXR. “But every now and then, a composer will take the time to pen a work of personal thanks to a friend or teacher they admired, or even someone who helped them in a time of need. These pieces are usually very moving—the type of music that a composer will save the ‘best notes’ for. Some are memorials, some are full of love, but at the heart of each of these works, a profound ‘Thank You’ can be heard. For Thanksgiving (and any other time), here are six pieces that were written as a token of thanks.” The list includes brief descriptions of the personal story behind each of the six scores as well as link to videos of performances by various artists and ensembles. On the list: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Shostakovich’s Second Piano Trio, Brahms’s Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 26, and Vaughan Williams’s Symphony No. 5.
Posted November 23, 2016
