Haydn - Symphony In D, H. I No. 6 - “Le Matin”: III. Menuet

Performed by The English Concert & Trevor Pinnock

Check out this sweet bass solo in the trio (starts at 1:37)

Schumman - Dichterliebe op48/7 “Ich Grolle Nicht, Und Wenn Das Herz Auch Bricht”

Performed by  John Shirley-Quirk, Tenor with Leon Fleisher, Piano 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of vocal music.  (I’m working on it I promise!)  But there’s something about Schumann songs that are just so interesting and they have a way of always defying my expectations.  This is one of my favorites.

Marin Marais - Les Voix Humaines: Pieces de Viole, Book 2: Les Voix Humaines (arr. S. Napper)

Performed by Folies

If you are not yet a fan of viola da gamba consort music, I hope this piece will turn you into a believer.  It’s undeniably gorgeous and very accessible to those new to the style. 

Mozart - Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385, “Haffner”: IV. Finale. Presto

Performed by The Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Karl Böhm

This movement is NUTS.  It’s so fun to listen to but really scary to play :P

Please understand, I feel pretty cheesy for posting this.  But honestly, it’s a damn good march and a blast to play. So here ya go America:

The Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa

Performed by The Boston Pops

Mendelssohn- Symphony No. 4, op. 90 ‘Italian’: I: Allegro vivace

Performed by The San Francisco Symphony conducted by  Herbert Blomstedt

I’m going to be completely honest.  Sometimes, I blast this and dance around my house like a crazy person.

It’s been a while since I’ve done this… So here’s some Sunday Morning Chopin for your Father’s Day! :)

Chopin - Impromptu No. 4 in C sharp minor, Op. 66

Performed by Bella Davidovich

Today is my 21st birthday.  So I thought I’d just post one of my favorite things :)

No, it’s not a drinking song.  Why would you think that?

Julie-O for Solo Cello by Mark Summer of The Turtle Island String Quartet

For my birthday, I’d like you all to listen to this and fall in love with it ok?

Another example of how much I love modern transcriptions…

J.S. Bach - Contrapunctus XIII from The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080

Performed by Mike Marshall, Mandolin, Edgar Meyer, Double Bass and Béla Fleck, Banjo

I think these 3 tambres sound so beautiful together and make this counterpoint so interesting to listen to.

Aaron Copland - Clarinet Concerto - 2. Rather Fast

Performed by Stanley Drucker, clarinet with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein

When you think of Aaron Copland, I bet the first thing that comes to mind is either Appalacian Spring or Fanfare for the Common Man, right? Well the American composer actually wrote so many really amazing pieces that most people aren’t familiar with. This concerto is particular is just fun.  Especially the slap-bass part at 3:21 :)