Christopher Brellochs

I’d like to invite you to immerse yourself in this captivating series with a deeper look at the role of music in HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” I have spent many years researching this topic, and enjoyed the opportunity to put…

The Square Piano (2:38): Early in the episode, we see the interior of the van Rhijn townhouse, and catch a glimpse of a square piano against the right wall. The square piano was invented in the mid-18^th century and…

Accordion Player (28:34): When Marian Brook meets Tom Raikes at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, New York City, there is a panning shot with musical underscoring that starts with some boys playing with toy boats and then cuts to an…

The Academy of Music (27:46): During a luncheon Mrs. Astor discusses rumors of the new-moneyed families' desire to build a new opera house.

Mrs. Astor: “Have you heard about this opera business?”  

Marian Brooks: “What’s that?”

Mrs. Astor: “A group…

John Knowles Paine (23:47):

Agnes van Rhijn (to Marian Brook): “Aurora Fane has invited you to the Academy of Music. You will hear John Knowles Paine conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra.”

Marian: “That sounds fun. Will you come?”

Agnes: “I’d…

The Academy of Music Recap (0:06): The original broadcast had a recap of the previous episode, and it was the “cherry on top of my Delmonico souffle” to see myself conducting the orchestra at the Academy of Music, although this…

The Opera War (4:48): In this scene at the van Rhijn house with Agnes, Ada and Marian we hear more about the opera houses.

Ada Brook: “I had a letter from Cousin Margaret this morning. She says the opera war…

Aida (10:23): Gladys Russell is looking for a location to practice a dance called a quadrille for her coming-out ball, and gives Carrie Astor a tour of the family ballroom (filmed in the Breakers music room in Newport, R.I.), which…

Preparations for the Ball (4:00): Preparations for the Russell ball are underway, and music plays an important part.

Bertha Russell: “We’ll take out the piano and build the podium for the band in this alcove.”

Practicing the Quadrille (11:13): In…

Preparing for the Musicians (3:51): In this scene, we see a whirlwind of preparations for Gladys’ ball and get to see exactly where the musicians will be located.

Bertha Russell: “Does the podium look big enough to you?”

Church: “It’s…