31 Days of Classical, Day 27: HERE I AM, I AM C MAJOR

Each day throughout July, I'll share with you a piece of classical music. Thirty-one days, thirty-one pieces.

The list is by no means definitive, nor is it necessarily a list of all of my favorite music from the classical world. Every morning, I start my day with music that inspires me in some way, whether I'm inspired by its happiness, its loneliness, the instrumentation, the harmony, the colors, the melody -- each piece is special in some way -- and offers an opportunity to either hear something you've never heard, or hear something new in a piece you've known your whole life.

Peter Tchaikovsky, Serenade for Strings in C major, 1st movement

If you read that I have issues with Mozart, you can also add Tchaikovsky to the list. Oh, how I love this Serenade, though. Even Tchaikovsky commented on how great of a job he did with this one. The entire Serenade is a delight, but this first movement is so confident — a confidence I feel Tchaikovsky forces on some occasions, but it comes so naturally in this piece. That opening!! HERE I AM, I AM C MAJOR. LISTEN TO ME BE C MAJOR. It's truly wonderful, and then Tchaikovsky does one of the things he does best, he makes the orchestra dance (musically speaking).

Take the 31 Days of Classical Challenge

31 Days is a bite-sized month-long trial of Classical Music from across the spectrum of the wonderful, expansive music we love at Classical MPR. Join the fun by subscribing to the 31 Days of Classical newsletter, or use #31DaysofClassical on Twitter or Facebook.

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