#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalAutumn Week 5

In 2019 the Classics a Day team has been making its way through the seasons. We've had Classical Winter (January), Classical Spring (April), and Classical Summer (August). For October, we complete the cycle with Classical Autumn.

I tried to steer clear of the really obvious choices (like Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"). In the process, I managed to discover a few pieces and a composer that was new to me. Which, for me, is part of the fun of participating in the #ClassicsaDay feed.

Here are my posts for the final week of #ClassicAutumn

10/28/ Edward MacDowell - "In Autumn"

From "Woodland Sketches" Op. 51 MacDowell's piece comes from his "Woodland Sketches." It depicts New England woods when the leaves turn from green to bright shades of red, orange, and yellow.

10/29/19 Franz Schubert - Herbst, D.945

Schubert's lieder sets a Ludwig Rellstab poem to music. The poem uses autumn as a metaphor for death. “Thus withers away the blossoms of life.”

10/30/19 Robert Schumann- Herbstlied, Op. 43, No. 2

Schumann's "Autumn Song" was part of "3 Zweistimmige Lieder" in 1840. It's most often heard arranged for SATB choir.

10/31/19 Cécile Chaminade - Automne Op. 35, No. 2

"Autumne" is part of Six Études de Concert. Chaminade published the collection in 1886. The movement proved so popular that she arranged it for two pianos.