Music and passion is a good mix but when it comes to passionate music, my vote goes to Russians (We are talking about classical music, now). Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov… These composers are symbols of unrestrained passion for me. They could not care less for rules and would venture anywhere their passion lead them.

Germans, like Bach and Beethoven on the other hand, maybe too much under the influence of their era, always seemed secretive, as if they were trying to disguise their feelings, not to show their true colors. They were victims of their adherence to the rules. Too methodical.

But no one beats Mozart when it comes to sweetness. Mozart allegedly composed his 11th Piano Sonata in A (K. 311) upon hearing the Mehter March, a tune played by the army band of Ottoman forces, and that is why it is called Turkish March. Think about it: you hear a song which is essentially played to demoralize opponents (Scottish pipes, drums, cymbals) and signals the soon arrival of one of the most feared armies of the time, and you come up with something as if the boy scouts are marching. That is Mozart, sweet, and devoid of passion. I always wondered what would have happened if, for instance Borodin had heard it instead of Mozart (referring to “A Night on a Bald Mountain”). My, that would really be hot!

Alas, no one but Mozart heard! I looked for a version that would at least spice it up, something that will make one (me) say, “I have to get out, I want…”, and found this. Add some Spanish fire, guitar, two players, and… Damn! It is still sweet. You be the judge:

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