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Max Derrickson

@musicprogramnotes.bsky.social

340 followers 201 following 1.1K posts

I am a music researcher, program note writer, music program annotator - find out more from my website: www.MusicProgramNotes.com . Each day, I also post music of lesser-known composers and lesser-known works by the great composers. Open for work, too.

Posts Replies Media

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Boris Porena! (September 27, 1927 - May 3, 2022) Italian composer, critic, poet, writer and didactic expert. Here, a beguiling string quartet from his “early period” where fragments combine to create a larger picture: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Boris Porena: Musica per quartetto d'archi (1967)

YouTube video by TheWelleszCompany

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Happy Birthday, William Levi Dawson! (September 26, 1899 – May 2, 1990) (African)-American composer, choir director and professor. Here, his 1934 Negro Folk Symphony premiered in 1934 with Leopold Stokowski and his Philadelphia Orchestra: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJX1...

William Levi Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony (1934)

YouTube video by robt007

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

More Happy Birthday, Gershwin! Here’s a fantastic example of the way in which Gershwin combined jazz and classical/pop and serious music. Listen closely to the choruses on “Gone, gone, gone…” – some very fine harmonic writing! Porgy and Bess: “Gone, gone, gone” www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gq0...

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - Gone gone gone

YouTube video by 70Tamas

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Happy Birthday, George Gershwin! (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) American composer and pianist Gershwin needs little introduction. This lovely but lesser-known gem was written as a harmony exercise for his then teacher, Edvard Kilenyi, in 1920. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

George Gershwin: Lullaby

YouTube video by Richard Lewis

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

More Happy Birthday, Dmitri Shostakovich! (September 25, 1906 – August 9, 1975) Bombast, energy AND chilling… and one of the most moving finales in Western music – the finale to Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ew...

Yevgeny Mravinsky: Shostakovich - Symphony No.5 in D minor, 'Allegro Non Troppo' Op.47

YouTube video by TheWiseMonkey89

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

More Happy Birthday, Dmitri Shostakovich! (September 25, 1906 – August 9, 1975) Here, the intimate, not so chilling (but which later found its way into Shostakovich’s very chilling Symphony No. 10) “What’s in my name to you” for basso and piano: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU2O...

4 Monologues, Op. 91: No. 2. Shto v imeni tebe moyom? (What's In My Name To You?)

YouTube video by Fyodor Kuznetsov - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Dmitri Shostakovich! (September 25, 1906 – August 9, 1975) Soviet Russian composer. Here, a breathless Festive Overture A major, Op. 96 ... a breakneck- paced performance played at the 2009 Nobel Prize Concert: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4GE...

Shostakovich - Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96 | Nobel Prize Concert 2009

YouTube video by EuroArtsChannel

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Artur Lemba! (September 24, 1885 – November 21, 1963) Estonian composer, pianist and teacher. Here is the exciting Finale to Lemba’s, and Estonia’s, first Classical Symphony, the Finale. Moderato assai - Allegro risoluto of his Symphony No. 1 in C# minor: youtu.be/y9AinZb3trw?...

Artur Lemba - Symphony No.1 in C-sharp minor (1908)

YouTube video by KuhlauDilfeng2

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Alexander Arutiunian! (September 23, 1920 – March 28, 2012) Russian/Armenian composer. Here, the first movement to his extremely popular Trumpet Concerto (1950). For sheer sing-ability and vivacity, Arutiunian ’s Concerto is really a masterpiece. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRMm...

Concert for Trumpet - Alexander Arutunian

YouTube video by Razmik Megerdichian

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Giovanni Maria Nanino (also Nanini)! (c.1543 or 1544 – March 11, 1607) Italian composer and singer. Here is the famous Miserere: Adoramus te, Christe www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Adoramus te, Christe

YouTube video by The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis! (September 22, 1875 – April 10, 1911) Lithuanian painter and composer. Here is one of his many lovely works (and, the painting is by Čiurlionis): Canon in C minor for String Quartet www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

M. K. Čiurlionis - Canon in C minor

YouTube video by tamsta

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Gustav Theodore Holst! (September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934) Here’s his not-terribly-well known, and absolutely beautiful, Invocation for Cello and Orchestra: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBdX...

Gustav Holst, Invocation

YouTube video by Pinkus Pallinus

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

More Holst... Jupiter from "The Planets" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu77...

Gustav Holst - Jupiter

YouTube video by HDclassical

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Gustav Theodore Holst! (September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934) Here is an excerpt from Holst’s extraordinary Symphonic Suite, The Planets: Movement 1: Mars – The Bringer of War: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

The Planets - Mars

YouTube video by NorskTorsk

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Gustav Theodore Holst! (September 21, 1874 – May 25, 1934) English composer. Here is his wonderful Chaconne, the first movement from his brilliant First Suite for Military Band in E-flat. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

First Suite in E-flat: Chaconne

YouTube video by Psychedelicity

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Uuno Kalervo Klami! (September 20, 1900 – May 29, 1961) Finnish composer. Here’s the third movement Tranquillo, somber and elegiac – speaking volumes with just a few, poignant motives, from Suite for String Orchestra (1937): III. Tranquillo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kt-...

Suite for String Orchestra: III. Tranquillo

YouTube video by Kymi Sinfonietta - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Jan Mul! (September 20, 1911 – December 30, 1971) Dutch composer, organist and conductor. His Miserere mihi of 1935 is a beautiful combination of a kind of early church polyphony with the occasional 20th C. harmony. Miserere mihi (1935) www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tz6...

Miserere mihi - Jan Mul

YouTube video by antjeeh

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Karen Khachaturian! (September 19, 1920 – July 19, 2011) Russian/Armenian composer Khachaturian (the nephew of the more well-known Aram Khachaturian). Here, his Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor, Op. 1: II. Andante www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmY...

Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor, Op. 1, II Andante

YouTube video by ShopClassicalMusic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Kassia! (c. 810 – c. 843/867?) Greek composer Kassia, still known today for, among other accomplishments, almost two-dozen “hymns” (chants, really) that remain sung today in the Greek Orthodox service. Here, her Ek Rizis Agathis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_k3...

vocame sings "ek rizis agathis" cassia greek orthodox chant

YouTube video by jo Braus

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Charles Tomlinson Griffes! (September 17, 1884 – April 8, 1920) American composer of Impressionist music. Here’s Griffes’s superb tone poem, The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan, Op. 8 (be sure to make it to the pounding drums @ about 8:38): www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSbq...

The Pleasure-Dome of Kubla Khan

YouTube video by Sherrill Milnes - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Nadia Boulanger! (September 16, 1887 – October 22, 1979) French pianist, teacher, organist, conductor and composer. Here is a beautiful song (music and text) by Boulanger, c. 1915: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Boulander Nadia - Soir d’hiver (1914- 15, published, text by the composer)

YouTube video by Dmitry Nechaev

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Hildegard von Bingen! (c. 1098 – September 17, 1179) … even nicer examples of Hildegard’s melismatic, mystic, and meditative melodies. O frondens virga – [beautifully sung by the men’s(!!) group, Chanticleer] (TYO!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGXX...

CHANTICLEER: O Frondens Virga by Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

YouTube video by Chanticleer

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Hildegard von Bingen! (c. 1098 – September 17, 1179) German Medieval composer and Benedictine abbess. Here is her gorgeous, timeless, Kyrie Eleison from Marriage of the Heavens and the Earth (O Ecclesia): www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Hildegard von Bingen - Kyrie Eleison

YouTube video by JadeMusic54

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Horatio Parker! (September 15, 1863 – December 18, 1919) American composer and teacher. Here is an excerpt from his first important Cantata of 1893: Hora Novissima: Introduction and Chorus www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Hora Novissima: Introducton and Chorus

YouTube video by Abendmusik Chorus - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Johann Michael Haydn! (September 14, 1737 – August 10, 1806) Austrian composer was the younger brother of Josef. Here is his Kyrie (opening movement) from his Missa Tempore Quadragesimae (MH 553) for choir and basso continuo, 1794: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Johann Michael Haydn - Missa Tempore Quadragesimae - Kyrie

YouTube video by n98klv

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Arnold Schoenberg! (September 13, 1874 – July 13, 1951) … a fully-fledged 12-tone work... her the second movement of his String Quartet, at times wistful, beautiful in a distant way: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 30 (1927). II. Adagio www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW0B...

Arnold Schoenberg - String Quartet No. 3, II

YouTube video by pelodelperro

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Arnold Schoenberg! (September 13, 1874 – July 13, 1951) Austrian composer and teacher. Here is one of his little-known works from his pre-12-tone period. Friede Auf Erden, Op. 13 (1911) www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

ARNOLD SCHOENBERG FRIEDE AUF ERDEN OPUS 13 1911

YouTube video by ANGELSDONTPLAYHARPS

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Clara Wieck-Schumann! (September 13, 1819 – May 20, 1896) …here is her (also) exquisite Andante from her Piano Trio in G minor, Op.17 www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf-p...

Clara Schumann: Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17: 3. Andante

YouTube video by Beaux Arts Trio - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Clara Wieck-Schumann! (September 13, 1819 – May 20, 1896) German piano virtuoso and composer. Here is her exquisite Nocturne, the second piece from the equally exquisite set of six piano miniatures “Soirées musicales": www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Clara Wieck-Schumann, Nocturne op. 6 n. 2 (1834)

YouTube video by huakinthoi

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Josquin des Pres (c. 1450 – August 27, 1521) French Renaissance composer. Josquin was also known as a writer of beautiful melodies, and here is a great example: Mille regretz – cornetto [Bruce Dickey] and organ www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Josquin des Prez: Mille Regretz; Bruce Dickey, Cornetto and Hanneke van Proosdij, organ

YouTube video by Voices of Music

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of, and Happy Birthday to, Arvo Pärt! (September 11, 1935 – ) Estonian composer. Here is Pärt’s intriguing, quiet and moving first movement, “1. Ludus,” to his Tabula rasa – Concerto for 2 violins (or viola), prepared piano & strings (1977): www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Arvo Pärt - Tabula Rasa - Ludus

YouTube video by Josh Malmed

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of William Boyce! (September 11, 1711 – February 7, 1779) British composer. Here is his lovely Symphony No. 1 in its entirety – which is only 6-7 minutes long. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhAw...

William Boyce, Symphony No. 1 B-flat major, Trevor Pinnock

YouTube video by Arnold van der Waals

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Countess Maria Theodora Paulina (Dora) Pejačević! (September 10, 1885 – March 5, 1923) Croatian, of Hungarian lineage, composer and violinist. Here, her Andante Sostenuto from her gorgeous Sonata for Piano and Cello (1913): youtu.be/-chTjgzSkQs?...

Dora Pejačević - Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 35

YouTube video by musicophage rex

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Henry Purcell! (c. 1659 – November 21, 1695) English composer and organist. This beautiful meditation, “Thou knowest, Lord,” composed for the funeral of Queen Mary II, has been accompanying centuries of funerals at Westminster Abbey. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Thou Knowest, Lord (Purcell) — Choir of Guildford Cathedral

YouTube video by 1finch2finch

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Girolamo Frescobaldi! (September 9 (or 13), 1583 – March 1, 1643) Italian composer Frescobaldi. Keyboard, harpsichord and organ were where Frescobaldi made his most important impact. Here is his exquisite Toccata seconda: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Gerolamo Frescobaldi, toccata seconda (1615) Marco Mencoboni Harpsichord

YouTube video by cantarlontano

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Antonín Dvořák! (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) Bohemian (Czech) composer. Here is his delightful Andante con moto, the third movement from his extraordinary Serenade, Op. 44 -- and here, a very heart-warming performance: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44, B. 77: III. Andante con moto

YouTube video by Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Andre Jolivet! (August 8, 1905 – December 20, 1974) French teacher and composer. Here is a manic, briskly fun movement (and very inventive) from his 1958 Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (Movement III): youtu.be/mx8tdnDckzU?...

Andre Jolivet - Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (1958) [Score-Video]

YouTube video by George N. Gianopoulos, composer

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of, and Happy Birthday to, Romualds Kalsons! (September 7, 1936 - November 15, 2024) Latvian composer and conductor. His musical style is indebted to Latvian folksong, and are infinitely listenable. Here is his fun, foot-flinging “Tango:” www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Romualds Kalsons | Tango

YouTube video by ultrauls

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Joan Tower! (September 6, 1938 - ) American composer, pianist and teacher - “one of the most successful woman composers of all time,” (The New Yorker first called her this). Here is her very popular Fanfare for the Uncommon Women: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 1

YouTube video by Leonard Slatkin - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Yevgeny Fyodorovich Svetlanov! September 6, 1928 – May 3, 2002) Russian conductor, pianist and composer Svetlanov was a great figure in Russia. Here is his wonderful Rhapsody No. 2 which features exquisite cadenzas for several instruments: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Yevgeny Svetlanov - Rhapsody No. 2 (1978)

YouTube video by Bartje Bartmans

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Sigismondo d’India! (c. 1582 – (before) April 19, 1629) Especially stunning here is the cornetto, a fascinating, recorder-type instrument. Its sound is absolutely enchanting by itself, and also here, like a second human voice. Dilectus meus www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLFf...

YouTube video by Hana Blažíková - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Amy Beach! (September 5, 1867 – December 27, 1944) Here, her lovely second movement, Alla siciliana, from her stunningly well-done, and path-breaking/break-through, Symphony in E-minor, Op.32 “Gaelic” (1896): youtu.be/VmLU1CfHcJw?...

Amy Beach - Symphony in E-minor, Op.32 "Gaelic" (1896)

YouTube video by KuhlauDilfeng2

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Amy Beach! (September 5, 1867 – December 27, 1944) American composer and piano virtuoso. Here’s a melting, mesmerizing piano work from this still underrated composer, Beach’s “Dreaming” from her Four Sketches for Piano, Op. 15, No. 3, (1897): www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Amy Beach (1867-1944) : Dreaming, for piano (1892)

YouTube video by collectionCB

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Johann Christian Bach! (September 5, 1735 – January 1, 1782) German composer Johann Christian Bach was the 18th child of Johann Sebastian. Here is an exquisite andante fromhis Symphony in G-minor, Op.6, No.6 – Movement 2. Andante piu tosto adagio: youtu.be/ZCr0l_0Gkno?...

Johann Christian Bach - Symphony in G-minor, Op.6, No.6

YouTube video by KuhlauDilfeng2

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Anton Bruckner! (September 4, 1824 – September 11, 1896) Here is his last Symphonic effort – unfinished before his death. Excerpt from Movement 1 of his unfinished Symphony No, 9: youtu.be/Ee4xzb5uvpI?...

Bruckner - Symphony No. 9 in D minor - 1 Feierlich, Misterioso - Celibidache

YouTube video by Classical Vault 1

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Anton Bruckner! (September 4, 1824 – September 11, 1896) Endlessly inventive, listen to the opening of Bruckner’s Third Symphony – here conducted by the legendary Segiu Celibidache: www.youtube.com/watch?v=safC...

Bruckner - 3rd Symphony - Celibidache (1991)

YouTube video by graphenediol

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Anton Bruckner! (September 4, 1824 – September 11, 1896) Austrian composer. Here, first, is Bruckner’s incomparable Mass No. 3’s Agnus Dei – filled with awe-inspired beauty: Mass No. 3 in F minor – Agnus Dei www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Anton Bruckner - Mass No. 3 in F minor - Agnus Dei

YouTube video by robertocovatta

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Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Otto Ketting! (September 3, 1935 – December 13, 2012) Dutch composer, conductor. and teacher. The finale to his Symphony No. 6 (2011) is intriguing and exciting (begin at 38:17 … and there’s no mistaking its allusions to Ravel’s Bolero....) youtu.be/EcI1qUsVyQI?...

Otto Ketting - Symphony No. 6

YouTube video by Dutch Composers

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Celebrating the Music of Miloslav Ištvan! (September 2, 1928 – January 26, 1990) Czech composer. Here is his Hra – pohyb (Games for Symphony Orchestra)(1977): www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Hry. Pieces for Symphonic Orchestra - Hra - pohyb

YouTube video by Release - Topic

Max Derrickson @musicprogramnotes.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

More Celebration of the Music of Johann Pachelbel! (baptized September 1, 1653 – buried March 9, 1706) Here is his Arietta w/ Pedal Harpsichord (Variation @ 9:58 – is very lovely AND the Pedal variation @ 11:06) www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

PEDAL harpsichord: Johann Pachelbel - Arietta, performed by Marco Vincenzi

YouTube video by cembalo.it