Author Archives: Robert Jan Dukarm

George Onslow – Piano Trio Op. 27

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George Onslow (1784-1853)

George Onslow was a French composer and cellist of English descent. His music bridges the gap between the classical and romantic periods.

George Onslow composed a large body of chamber music. There are over 70 string quartets, some string quintets, and ten piano trios. George Onslow also composed four symphonies and four operas.

His music was popular in Germany and England during his lifetime. After his death, George Onslow went into obscurity. It is only in recent years that his music has begun to resurface.

Here is a recording of the Piano Trio, op.27 by George Onslow. It is played by a group called the Trio Cascades. The musicians are Thomas Palm (piano), Katrina Schulz (violin), and Inka Ehlert (cello).

Angelo Debarre and Ludovic Beier – Troublant Bolero

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Troublant Bolero is a tune by Django Reinhardt.  He first recorded the tune in 1948.

Here is a recording of Troublant Bolero palyed by the Romani “gypsy jazz” guitarist Angelo Debarre, and “gypsy jazz” accordion virtuoso Ludovic Beier.

“Gypsy jazz” is a style of jazz that is believed to be invented by the Romani guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 1930s.  It combines dark, chromatic gypsy sounds with swing.

Quintet of the Hot Club of France – After You’ve Gone

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The Quintet of the Hot Club of France

The Quintet of the Hot Club of France was a string jazz group made up of three guitars, a violin, and a bass.  It was originally formed in 1934 after a series of informal backstage jam sessions. The quintet was a unique jazz group because it was made up of an interesting combination of instruments and it invented a style of jazz known as “gypsy jazz” or “hot jazz.”  Over the years the quintet went through many different rhythm guitarists and bass players but the two main players (Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli) remained the same.  From 1934 until the beginning of the war in 1939 the quintet made hundreds of recordings and toured Europe many times.  The quintet was disbanded in 1939.  In 1946 Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt teamed up together again and formed another quintet.  This post-war quintet lasted from 1946 until 1948.

Here is a recording of the jazz standard “After You’ve Gone” performed by the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.  The singer in the recording is Freddy Taylor.

Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion (played by the Roby Lakatos Ensemble and Frantisek Janoska)

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Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)

Astor Piazzolla was an Argentinian tango composer, arranger, and bandoneon virtuoso (the bandoneon is a type of accordion).  He invented a modern style of tango music called tango nuevo (a style of tango that uses elements of jazz and classical music).

Here is a tango by Piazzolla arranged for violin, piano, melodia, cymbalom, guitar, and bass by Frantisek Janoska (the pianist).  It is played by the Romani (gypsy) violinist Roby Lakatos ensemble and pianist Frantisek Janoska.  Enjoy!

G.F. Handel – Fiamma bella from Aminta e Fillide (HMV 83)

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G.F. Handel (1685-1759)

G.F. Handel was a German baroque composer, organist, harpsichordist, and violinist.  He is most well known today for works such as his Messiah, Water Music, and Royal Fireworks Music.

Here is a soprano aria from called Fiamma bella from a Cantata by Handel entitled Aminta e Fillide.  The aria is sung by Catalan soprano Nuria Rial.  Enjoy!

Gilles Binchois: “Adieu, adieu, mon joileux souvenir,” “Triste plaisir et douleureuse joye”

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Gilles Binchois (1400-1460)

Gilles Binchois was a 15th century Franco-Flemish composer.  Along with Dunstable and Dufay, Binchois was one of the three leading musical figures of the first half of the 15th century.

The first important chanson composer was Machaut.  His chansons were written for a treble voice with two, three, or four parts, and were rhythmically iregular with ornamented melodic lines.  Then came the chansons of the Burgundian school with composers such as Dufay and Binchois.  Dufay and Binchois’ chansons are mostly about courtly love.  They are more refined than earlier chansons.  Later on in the 15th century the chansons of Dufay and Binchois became more homogeneous in texture.  About a third of the chansons by Binchois are written in four parts, which was standard by c.1500.

Here are two chansons by Gilles Binchois.  The first is called “Adieu, adieu, mon joleux souvenir,” and the second is called “Triste plaisir et douleureuse joye.”  The poem that “Triste plaisir” uses as its text is by Alain Chartier (1385-1433).  The musicians are Lena Susanne Norin (Alto), Randall Cook (viol’ da gamba/Vielle/fiddle) and Susanne Ansorg (Rebec/fiddle). 

Minor Swing – Ludovic Beier (accordion), Angelo Debarre (guitar)

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Minor Swing is a popular “gypsy jazz” tune by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. It was first recorded by Grappelli, Reinhardt, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France in 1937.

Here is a recording of Minor Swing by Ludovic Beier (a “gypsy jazz” accordion virtuoso), and Angelo Debarre (a Romani “gypsy jazz” guitarist). Enjoy!

Mauro Giuliani – Sonata for Violin, Cello, and Guitar in A Major

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Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829)

Mauro Giuliani was an Italian composer, guitar virtuoso, cellist, and singer. He was one of the leading guitar virtuosos of the 19th century.

Giuliani taught guitar, performed on the guitar, and composed a rich and varied repertoire for the guitar. His compositions include three guitar concertos, sonatas, studies, variations, duos for guitar with flute of violin, quartets, and songs.

Here is a recording of a Sonata for Violin, Cello, and Guitar in A Major by Mauro Giuliani. It is played by Leonid Kogan (violin), Alexander Ivanov-Kramskoy (guitar), and Fyodor Lusanov (cello). Enjoy!