Shades of Art

Shades of Art

The history behind the creation of great musical masterpieces.
The evolution of music and the creation of musical instruments.
The history of classical and folk dances.

  • Host - Tatevik Tananyan
Ballet for Laborers
23/10/2023

Ballet for Laborers

In this program, we explore the history of the Bolero, a national Spanish dance that originated in the second half of the 18th century. Discover how the Bolero became immensely popular in the 19th century, even influencing musical theater and being integrated with the principles of classical ballet.

Pergolesi's Immortal Legacy
16/10/2023

Pergolesi's Immortal Legacy

In 1735, the talented composer, violinist, and organist Giovanni Battista Pergolesi moved from Naples, where he had been living and working, to a Franciscan monastery in the nearby small town of Pozzuoli. This decision was driven by his battle with tuberculosis, a disease that ultimately claimed his life on March 16, 1736, when he was just 26 years old. During this fateful year, Pergolesi composed one of his most significant and enduring works, the Stabat Mater cantata in F minor.

Lullaby or Secret Love Letter
09/10/2023

Lullaby or Secret Love Letter

Lullabies are an ancient genre of folk music that has its roots in human prehistory. Each nation has its own unique lullabies, influenced by its mythology, worldview, and philosophy, and these lullabies have changed very little over time.

Musical Landscape
02/10/2023

Musical Landscape

Hidden amidst the rugged beauty of Scotland's Isle of Staffa lies a natural wonder like no other – a mesmerizing, 'singing' cave. This extraordinary geological formation enchants visitors with its ethereal sounds and mystical aura.

The Face of Death in Art
25/09/2023

The Face of Death in Art

In the 14th-15th centuries, Western culture was entirely saturated with the theme of death. This direction in art soon received its name – "Danse macabre " or "Dance of death."

 

The Course of the Vltava River
18/09/2023

The Course of the Vltava River

The Vltava River, spanning approximately 430 kilometers, is the Czech Republic's longest river and serves as the left tributary of the Elbe. Throughout the history of the Czech lands, this river has held a distinctive and integral role in the country's existence. The symphonic poem "Vltava" composed by the renowned Czech musician Bedřich Smetana stands as the unofficial anthem of the nation.

Today's broadcast is dedicated to the fascinating history behind the creation of this magnificent masterpiece.

130 Years Later
11/09/2023

130 Years Later

We continue the topic covered in our latest episode, which was dedicated to the Catholic prayer "Ave Maria." Today, we present another interesting story about a song called "Ave Aria," the result of a collaboration between the 18th-century German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and the 19th-century French composer and music critic Charles Gounod.

Ave Maria
04/09/2023

Ave Maria

“Ave Maria” stands as one of the most renowned Catholic prayers, devoted to the revered Holy Virgin Mary. Across various epochs, this sacred prayer has served as the inspiration for numerous musical masterpieces. In the spotlight today is Franz Schubert's composition known as "Ellen's Third Song," a piece that is frequently misidentified as "Ave Maria."

The Mystery of the Creative Dream
28/08/2023

The Mystery of the Creative Dream

Join us on a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of creative dreams. Within the minds of geniuses, lies an extraordinary power – the ability to harness inspiration from the mysterious realm of dreams.

Haydn's subtle suggestion
21/08/2023

Haydn's subtle suggestion

The Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn spent approximately three decades in the palace of the Esterházy princes. This palace was so rich and luxurious that it was on par with the Emperor's palace.

The Advertisement of Coffee in Bach's Life
14/08/2023

The Advertisement of Coffee in Bach's Life

Approximately 300 years ago, between 1732 and 1734, the renowned German Baroque composer, organist, and violinist Johann Sebastian Bach composed his famous Coffee Cantata. This composition is widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of music that serves as an advertisement for coffee.

Musical Autobiography
07/08/2023

Musical Autobiography

This broadcast is devoted to the history of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's final Symphony (No. 6 in B minor). Tchaikovsky, the renowned Russian composer, conductor, pedagogue, music critic, and author of over 80 works, created this symphony, which is often regarded as a musical representation of his own life. It stands as the composer's musical autobiography, encapsulating his emotions and experiences.

 

Moonlight Sonata or a Love Story
28/07/2023

Moonlight Sonata or a Love Story

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, often referred to as the 'Moonlight Sonata,' earned the title 'sonata quasi una fantasia' or 'sonata like a fantasy' from the composer himself. Printed by the publisher Nikolaus Simrock in Bonn during the winter of 1802, the title page of this composition bore the dedication 'Dedicated to Countess Giulietta Guicciardi.'

 

On the Trail of Adagio
28/07/2023

On the Trail of Adagio

The Adagio in G minor for organ and stringed instruments, often attributed to the Baroque Italian composer and violinist Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, stands as one of the most widely recognized and frequently performed pieces of music in the world today. However, it's important to note that Albinoni had minimal involvement in the creation of this composition.