classical music people, please help with suggestions for my next art video (slide show)...I am

[CTyankee]

presenting works by a number of artists in my "Beauty Project." This will be my third and will close with Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son" and I need a music suggestion from you! My slide shows usually last about 4 minutes so I time the works presented accordingly (there are usually about 14-16). My last video ended on a Vermeer ("Woman reading a letter at her window). It is a quiet scene, so ending it there is appropriate (and, of course, sublime).

Here is a link of my second video

Rembrandt painted prodigal son in 1667 but my knowledge of music of that era is scant, to say the least. I was thinking of Handel, but outside of his 2 big works I am at a loss.

There will be other paintings, but within an appropriate era time scheme.

As you can see, this painting is quiet and intense and will bring tears to your eyes. It will be the final image, so I need to "deliver a punch."

Please give me your suggestions! I have time and patience so I'll be sure to listen to what you tell me to consider!

thank you, music people!

[fierywoman]

1. Intriguing question.

So you're specifically looking for music ca. late 17th c., not necessariiy feeling like the theme on the prodigal son?
Something of Bach, maybe a movement of a Brandenberg concerto?

[fierywoman]

4. This ...

4:52 to the end?

[LanguageLover]

2. Try Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Like Mozart, Purcell lived for only thirty-six years. In fact, both his birth and death were almost exactly 100-years before Mozart's!

His music is before Bach and Handel. His life covers the year you have referred to (1667).

You can try "Dido & Aeneas - Overture". I am giving a random link to it:

You don't have to use the exact version above. You can look for better versions by more famous orchestras.

You can search the best of Purcell here:

I haven't heard Purcell at all myself. I thought about him simply because you wanted something around 1667.

In general Baroque music should do - it covers 1600-1750.

The music used in the clip you have posted is actually very good. I liked it. You can use that.

[CTyankee]

5. Purcell is good in another setting. "Prodigal Son" needs a musical enhancement to the gut punch

Rembrandt delivers in paint. Handel might have something, I'll look...

[LanguageLover]

7. Then Think of Mozart K.304

Last edited Fri Nov 4, 2022, 02:32 PM - Edit history (1)

I will give only this last suggestion because my selections might not be what you want.

Mozart does not really fit the "time" period you want but he has given quite a few gut punches.

This is his Sonata for Violin and Piano, K304 :

It is a magnificent recording, one of the best interpretations of the piece I have heard.

The music itself is from one of the saddest periods of Mozart's life (late 1970s). There is a big history to it.

Both movements are very serious and sad. I was particularly thinking of the 2nd Movement, which begins at around 8:30 of the piece above. You can go through it and see whether it fits the mood you want.

Anyway, wish you find exactly what you want. Good Luck.

[2naSalit]

3. What comes to mind...

Not knowing what the images will be, is "The Flower Duet" from Lakme. It brings out so many feelings in the sound of it that not knowing the opera is sometimes a plus for this piece. When I hear it, I have to drop everything and listen to it to the end, it has that power. But there is that sublime quality to the harmonics that it could have what you seek. Just off the top of my head.

ETA:

After some thought I may have a very different suggestion.

[CTyankee]

6. Lordy, that wonderful! It's restrained but so lovely...

[2naSalit]

8. It's hard to imagine...

An art compilation that would not benefit from it's accompaniment.

[2naSalit]

9. I saw that there was...

A shorter video of it so you may find a couple different length recordings.

[sarge43]

10. This might suit for "Return of the Prodigal Son'

[CTyankee]

11. That might be it...I love the piece. It was played at my daughter's wedding...

[CTyankee]

12. How about Handel, Ombra mai fu, from Xerxes?