Seascapes

I’ve made a study of ‘watery’ type music–a sort of mental collection (maybe because it’s my favorite type of sound image). I’m a big fan of Handel’s “Water Music” suites (and his “Music for the Royal Fireworks”–which was also performed on the same barges, upon the Thames). I once had a CD of solid surf recording for 55 minutes –guaranteed sleep aid–I wonder where it went?

Regardless, the following five pieces are my top picks for ‘oceanic coloring’ in music:

Apparently, the makers of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003) felt the same way I did about this piece–parts of it seem to be virtually the sound of the sea.

Ralph Vaughan-Williams – Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910)

(Skip ahead to 02:30 in the following recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtx578yaZ8

This Rachmaninov piece has been ‘borrowed’ by Eric Carmen for “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” (’76) and by Barry Manilow for “If I Should Love Again” (’81). But it is so iconically romantic and lush that I have always thought of it as a sea voyage.

Sergei Rachmaninov – Symphony No. 2 Op. 27 III. Adagio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNRxHyZDU-Q

 

I defy anyone to listen to this famous bit of Brahms and not feel the deck roll beneath their feet.

Johannes Brahms： Symphony No.3 – Mvmt. 3  (starts at 22:33 in the following recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK4NcLcUH9o

And then there’s this gem–liquid, flowing, tidal, surging–It’s pretty oceanic, to me.

Jan Sibelius – Symphony No.2 – Mvmt. 4: Finale  (Starts at 29:52 in the following recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPd9znWgGLk

And one last bit of Sibelius–an excerpt from his 5th Symphony (Skip to time-mark 20:00 or so–the ending of the 3rd movmt leading into an unbelievable last mvmt!)

The above is a comment I put on a thread RE: Katchaturian’s “Spartacus”, the Adagio, of course (although I’ve learned to enjoy most of the entire suite, over time) which is undeniably gorgeous and very ‘seascape-y’. Why do I spend an hour preparing such an ‘essay’ of a comment for the one or two people that might actually read it (strangers, however)? What else am I going to do?

Anyway, speaking of music, I have here a new Improv and a selection of Russian Folk songs:

 

 

Good evening, all.