Friday 21 August 2026
from “The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
This is one of the characteristic dances that show up in the second act of The Nutcracker, when Clara and the Prince arrive at the Kingdom of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Fairy and the people of the Kingdom perform several dances for Clara and the Prince, including a “Spanish Dance” that is sometimes called “Chocolate”.
Unlike other characteristic pieces like the Russian (Trepak), Chinese (Tea) or Arabian (Coffee) dances, the Spanish Dance was not later included by Tchaikovsky in The Nutcracker Suite, which was intended for concert performance.
Thanks to Julie for suggesting this piece!
Thursday 20 August 2026
Traditional Irish slip jig
This slip jig appeared in several collections around the turn of the 19th century and in its early decades. It was published in England in dancing master Thomas Wilson's Companion to the Ball Room (1816), where its provenance is given as “Irish”. It is also found, as an untitled piece, in the 1798 music manuscript collection of Joshua Jackson from Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Wednesday 19 August 2026
from “32 Etudes amusantes et instructives”
This is the sixth study from German flutist and composer Caspar Kummer's 32 Etudes amusantes et instructives, Op. 129, first published in 1858.
Tuesday 18 August 2026
from Flute Trio No. 3
This minuet, along with its Trio, constitutes the fourth and last movement of the third Sonata for three flutes by Johann Scherer.
Thanks to Joyce Kai for contributing this piece!
Monday 17 August 2026
from Sonata in C major by George Frideric Handel
This supple aria starts Handel's Sonata in C major for Recorder and continuo. Despite the movement being a Larghetto in C major, it concludes with a one-bar Adagio in G major.
Here are the links to the other movements of the sonata: Allegro, Larghetto, A tempo di Gavotta, Allegro.
Sunday 16 August 2026
Traditional Irish jig
This hop jig was first printed in R.M. Levey's First Collection of the Dance Music of Ireland, published in London in 1858.
Whigsborough is a historic townland located in County Offaly in central Ireland, near the town of Birr.
Saturday 15 August 2026
from “Etudes mignonnes”
Today we present the fourth study from Italian composer Giuseppe Gariboldi's Etudes mignonnes (Dainty Studies), Op. 131.