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Decoding Classical Music

Literature & Arts Music
4.7 out of 5 From 50 reviews

Being able to pick and choose activities and either attend at the specified time or watch a recording later suits me perfectly.

Susan
, reviewed on 10 Oct 2022

Entertaining and instructive presentations by knowledgeable speakers.

Margaret
, reviewed on 18 Nov 2022
  • DURATION 60 mins
  • HOW TO ATTEND Attendance is live via Zoom
4.7 out of 5 From 50 reviews

Being able to pick and choose activities and either attend at the specified time or watch a recording later suits me perfectly.

Susan
, reviewed on 10 Oct 2022

Entertaining and instructive presentations by knowledgeable speakers.

Margaret
, reviewed on 18 Nov 2022

Event Description

Discover the fascinating world of classical music with Claire as your guide! Have you ever wondered about the differences between a symphony, a concerto, and a sonata? Or perhaps you've been puzzled by terms like sonata form, opera, and oratorio, and why they all seem to be in Italian? Don't worry, you don't need any music theory background or musical skills to enjoy and grasp these concepts.

During this event, Claire will break down these common musical forms and terms in a simple and accessible way. She'll answer all the questions you've always been afraid to ask about music. By the end of the session, you'll have a clearer understanding of what makes a symphony unique from a concerto, what a sonata actually is, and how sonata form fits into the picture. You'll also learn how an opera differs from an oratorio and why Italian is prevalent in music terminology.

Get ready to embark on a musical journey with Claire as she demystifies these intriguing aspects of classical music. This event is designed for anyone who wants to explore and appreciate the wonders of music, regardless of their music background or instrumental skills.

  • Duration: 60 mins
  • Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
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Meet the Host, Claire

Born and raised in Cornwall, Claire came to Cardiff to undertake a music degree at the University of Wales, Cardiff.

She graduated in 2003, with specialisms in recital, ensemble, performance practice, and 19th Century opera; her dissertation subject was Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Claire plays the viola in the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom she has worked with performers including Brian Blessed and Michael Sheen, and also writes programme notes for the orchestra. For several years she was Principal Viola at the Harlech Orchestral Summer School, where she performed many major orchestral solos.

Claire loves all kinds of music. She plays the violin, ukulele, banjolele, and sings in The Withering Raspberries; ukulele and banjolele in The Ukulele Wolves; and sings in Quaynotes Choir. In 2010 she played viola on the UK top 30 album Dirt by Kids In Glass Houses. She also plays the piano, mandolin, and guitar.

Claire believes passionately that music belongs to everyone, and especially enjoys bringing to life the stories of composers and their works.

Preparing for the Event

For the best experience, you will need to have Zoom downloaded onto your computer. Please ensure you're connected to broadband/wifi rather than using your mobile phone connection (3G/4G).

We also recommend that pets are either calmly sitting on your lap or in another room, and any refreshments you may require are within your reach!

More Information

What if I can’t make the event?

If a recording’s available for the event, you can still register for it and we will send you an email with a link to a recording shortly after it ends.

Will my camera be on and will I be visible to the other people?

Your camera and microphone does not need to be on for you to enjoy the event. The choice about whether to do this is completely yours.

How do I watch the live event?

Rest Less events are hosted on Zoom, a computer application that allows you to attend online events just by clicking a link. For detailed instructions, please go to our "FAQ" page, which you can find a link to in the nav bar at the top of the page.

How do I sign-up for and access the recording? (Recorded events only)

Book the event as normal (as if you are attending live). After the event ends you will automatically receive a post-event email with a link to the recording, as long as the event was recorded. You do not need to do anything else and there is no separate booking process for recordings only. Please note it can take up to 24 hours for Zoom to process recordings.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 From 50 reviews