tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87883620180184277892024-02-06T20:50:28.212-08:00Classical Crush blogclassical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-6003949716714941372014-01-15T10:30:00.001-08:002014-01-15T10:32:52.813-08:00the pickPocket Ensemble<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwgvIqbUc9oWDfKRw0eg6v7YeXOKhwp4OSD6tJh0qOezz9whovE7iogwCCqyM3jdSCYGTFA70oyfZVO9EKfzDqokewukSBY9oPWa0XqKfB5m_99SxcaUBvo4svB3uoAbSPQyAvsnNeAx2/s1600/pickpocket+ensemble+w+pocets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwgvIqbUc9oWDfKRw0eg6v7YeXOKhwp4OSD6tJh0qOezz9whovE7iogwCCqyM3jdSCYGTFA70oyfZVO9EKfzDqokewukSBY9oPWa0XqKfB5m_99SxcaUBvo4svB3uoAbSPQyAvsnNeAx2/s1600/pickpocket+ensemble+w+pocets.jpg" height="216" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the pickPocket Ensemble...replete with <i><b>pockets!</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">C</span></b>ontinuing on my journey in discovering new classical music I discovered this skillful and creative lot: <a href="http://pickpocketensemble.com/#/1" target="_blank">the pickPocket Ensemble</a>, a diverse quintet that can often be found playing cafes and venues across Northern California. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Their music, which they aptly call "cafe music", exudes a relentless exoticism and yet they manage to make listeners feel right at home amid tunes inspired by Appalachian folk, jazz, and Balkan music traditions. Our pickpocketers include </span><a href="http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Rick-Corrigan/609510186" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Rick</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, the founder, accordionist/pianist, and composer; </span><a href="http://pickpocketensemble.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Marguerite</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, the versatile violinist; </span><a href="http://pickpocketensemble.com/#/1" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Yates Brown</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, whose name is so cool I had to write it out on guitar and banjo; </span><a href="http://www.ribak.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Kurt</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> on bass; and fellow abettors </span><a href="http://www.brian-rice.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Brian Rice</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> with percussion and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sambasscello" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Sam Bass</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ironically on cello.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If a classical ensemble had the spirit of a jazz band and the soul of a folk musician they'd be pickPocket Ensemble. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span> quickly listened to and watched everything I could by this group falling more in love with their music with each new song. Every piece takes you on a miniature journey that begs a cinematic companion. Their piece </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cTHctIYVCpE" target="_blank">Remember the Moon</a></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has Arabic qualities with its rhythm and harmony (liberal use of augmented seconds and 5/8 have a way of doing that). The timbre of the accordion lends it a folk feel, as if you're at a chaotic Middle Eastern bazaar midday. The melody is memorable and </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remember the Moon </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">simply </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">makes me want to grab a sash, some finger bells, and start belly dancing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />What makes their music particularly infectious are its song-like elements with use of doubling, small range, and few melodic themes (usually just one) that generally break for instrumental solos. Their music began heavily influenced by jazz but evolved to include the Mediterranean sounds of the Balkans (so much so I was seriously wondering where the clarinet was in all this!). If you've never heard Balkan music here's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT4IufMeyYA" target="_blank">an example from Youtube</a> (from a teacher who tried to sell me on eastern European music; I just smiled at the way the violinist's head bobbed). I always lose the downbeat when I hear it, but then maybe that's the point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll leave you to enjoy </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">For Those Who've Left</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> which is a "French cafe meets rustic Americana" type of tune. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pickpocketensemble" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">The pickPocket Ensemble</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> truly is something special, not just in repertoire but how they relate to the music they create and to audiences. So</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> if you live, work, or plan to travel to Northern California go see them. They are definitely worth having with your coffee. </span><br />
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<br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-11668723321038523302014-01-11T13:32:00.000-08:002014-01-11T13:34:23.694-08:00Exploring Blurred Lines with Maria<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have a confession. Lately, I've been listening to jazz. A lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>*Gasp* </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know! I know. I've surprised myself. This is <b>classical</b> music blog; I'm only supposed to listen to that. But I've been spending my waking hours actively searching for and wantonly consuming its riches. Could you ever forgive me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>(*Melodrama over*)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On a serious note, though, as I've been riding this jazz wave for the past three weeks I've come to notice that much of the current jazz scene sounds a lot like current classical one. Maybe it's just me. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So as heretical as this may come, this post is dedicated to one such composer whose jazz compositions have me conflicted over where my loyalties lie (<em>'cause she knows I want it</em>).</span><br />
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I just met a girl named Maria</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">OK, so maybe she's a woman and from Germany, but that doesn't stop me from loving her heartbreakingly beautiful music. </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.maria-baptist.de/en/" target="_blank">Maria Baptist</a> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rocks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She recently released an album last November called <strong><em>Episodes</em></strong> for piano and string quartet. In it she crosses all over traditional boundaries exploring the relationship between the styles of chamber music and jazz. Each track varies in length from the barely there <em>Interludes</em> that each last an average of thirty seconds, to the longer more contemplative <em>Impressions of a Journey. </em>She only offers clips on Soundcloud, so <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/episodes-piano-string-quartet/id763279911?ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">I <i>highly</i> recommend buying the album</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First off, this clip begins deceptively a lot like a contemporary classical piece. It actually wasn't until 20 seconds in when I noticed the syncopated rhythm in the violin that I began to suspect anything. And even if screaming angsty strings aren't you're thing, hang in there because about halfway through this clip it transitions into this Scott Joplin fangirl piano melody.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One could even argue that she's making a statement. Seriously, the zeitgeist at the turn of the 20th century is <i>not that</i> different from that of the new millenium--a focus on upward mobility, fashionable multiculturalism/cultural appropriation, the ever increasingly socioeconomic disparities, and the (misguided) accumulation of personal and sovereign debt with the vain confidence of future security. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You begin to see the parallels...but best to just enjoy the music! Buy this track as it continues its playful batting match between the two timbres and styles for dominance and equilibrium. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, this clip comes from her earlier album <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gate-29-Maria-Baptist-Trio/dp/B00GUDJ2UU/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&sr=1-1&keywords=gate+29" target="_blank">Gate 29</a> </i>(click the link to buy it) and I love it. Really, the whole album is gold, but <b>this track</b>! There's a fragile hymn-like quality about this track, so much so that you can almost hear the drawn breath of someone about to sing. I especially love the added touch of solemnity from the baroque-esque walking bass before the cymbals come in and you finally realize that this is a jazz work. I would have sooner classified this a contemporary classical piece if I didn't already know that it was part of a jazz album. But I'm wondering if this was the beginning of a beautiful journey for Maria in exploring the similarities between two genres, two worlds, and two countries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>'Maria</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Say it loud and there's music playing</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Say it soft and it's almost like praying'</span></i></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><br />
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<br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-66910184730328194132014-01-09T05:45:00.000-08:002014-01-09T05:46:30.334-08:00Happy New Year!<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Resolutions and Such</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ah, the first blog post from a long winter's break. Now it's back to the music, and I couldn't be happier! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My resolution with this blog is to bring you more of what I already do--great music from young composers and great performances by young ensembles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In addition to reviewing awesome new music (and their writers and champions) I will also cover the awesome venues that regularly (or only) offer new music concerts. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will try to find a venue in each state in the U.S. from New York to North Dakota, new music will be yours! (Or something like that, if I can find places in ND). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, maintaining that </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/classicalcrush/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Pinterest profile</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> where I gather as many images as possible for those pieces that conjure places people, and visual eye candy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So far, going on this musical journey has been incredibly fun, and who knew new music could be fun?! OK, so maybe I strongly suspected it, but discovering so much great music being made near and far and that <i>doesn't </i>clash with the other songs on my phone was surprising. Cheers to a the new year and keeping our resolutions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Classically Yours</i></span>classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-88959685785438277682013-12-22T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-22T07:00:00.273-08:00(almost all) classical winter playlist <h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">winter playlist 2014</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are some pieces that are so idyllic of a certain moment. Here are a few of my favorite pieces, both new and old, that are staples for me for a winter playlist. Hopefully, you'll think of snowball fights and reunions with these, too. Included are movements from the "Dumky" Trio by Antonin Dvorak. The textures of that sonata perfectly embody the images and textures of winter, and I strongly recommend hearing all of it. I also added <b><a href="http://www.andres.com/" target="_blank">Timo Andres' </a></b><i>You Broke It, You Bought It</i>, which I only recently discovered in the past month. I want to know the meaning behind the name, because what I imagine when I hear that phrase and how this piece sounds are so different. I love the interaction between the acoustic guitar and marimba (and I just plain love the acoustic guitar and marimba!). The interplay simply magical. The latter half seems almost an afterthought but rounds out nicely ending the same way it began--with the quiet shimmer of cymbals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll probably end up adding that track to my lazy summer playlist, too. </span><br />
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classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-33196156172379853162013-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-14T06:00:04.286-08:00Chillin' with Higdon<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://classicalcrush.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I Can Haz Muzik?</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>fter listening to <i>Steampunk </i>admittedly a bunch of times, I wanted to find some similar sounding pieces. In that search I came across <i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/tf3-1/concerto-4-3-iii-roaring" target="_blank"><b>Concerto 4-3</b></a> </i>written by Jennifer Higdon. It could equally work well in that alternate Victorian universe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I recognized Hidon's name from a chat with a friend who told me to write about her. (This post is just for you!) But I don't want to post something <i>so </i>similar to the last piece, though you're welcome to click on the link for some epilogue worthy ear candy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead, I'll feature two other pieces from the Brooklynite. Let me first say Jen is praised as one of the most performed living American composers, with her <i><a href="http://youtu.be/QFa_2ROayCE" target="_blank"><b>Blue Cathedral</b></a></i> piece for orchestra being performed over 400 times since its premier in 2000. I didn't know she was that popular, but after listening to recordings of her music, I'm not surprised. A lot of her stuff sounds <i>really</i> good while being technically challenging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ironically, I chose to feature two woodwind-centric pieces when her <a href="http://jenniferhigdon.com/performancesresidencies.html" target="_blank">2014 concert schedule</a> is percussion and string heavy. Of all her performances next year, I'm especially especially excited for <i>Skyline</i>. Also, you can hear <i>Blue Cathdedral </i>performed by the <a href="http://www.waynesborosymphonyorchestra.org/" target="_blank">Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra</a> 22 February. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But on to the two pieces that I chose because isn't that what this post is about? First up is <b style="font-style: italic;">Calmly</b> for its mix of jazz and classical (<i>jazzical?</i>). Also, saxophone is under-represented in classical music and this is one piece that I can see becoming a classical standard. Don't be fooled by the calm introduction. This piece goes places and is deceptively busy despite its title. If you're looking to switch up your playlist for any seasonal party with friends, add this one. The other piece is <b style="font-style: italic;">Autumn Reflection</b>, which<i> </i>has a French impressionist feel with some serious <a href="http://youtu.be/rfSBddhFvyA" target="_blank">Debussy-esque goings on</a> in the piano. </span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/70168933&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/42645763&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-23101617200884434672013-12-05T06:30:00.000-08:002013-12-13T06:54:50.666-08:00Crush On: Steampunk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart of Veridon by Luis Melon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span>'m so excited I don't even know where to begin! I recently discovered popular British American composer <b><a href="http://www.davidbruce.net/" target="_blank">David Bruce </a></b>who two years ago wrote a wildly loved piece commissioned by Carnegie Hall called </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Steampunk.</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I might be late to the party that was<span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2011/03/david-bruces-steampunk-octet-for-mixed-ensemble/" target="_blank">excitedly blogged</a></span> about <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://sandiegostory.com/david-bruces-ebullient-steampunk/" target="_blank">from here</a> to</span> <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://steampunkchicago.com/articles/pbs-covers-steampunk-up-coming-events/" target="_blank">kingdom come</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, but I actually came across it after finding out about Art of Elan (who I'll feature on a later post). But I absolutely freaked out when I heard this piece. I loved it instantly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Steam all the Punk!</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Steampunk </i>is highly imaginative. From the first seconds when the clarinet is calling out over the other winds, you're thrown into the midst of construction on this city built on steam and clockwork. You travel down the too narrow streets surveying people going about their daily lives with brass trinkets and gadgets. The horns make their triumphal entry heralding the hero of the story--the scrappy underdog who has impossible luck for just escaping big trouble. The music is hurried and the violin's <i>pizzacatto </i>ticks time away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The second movement explores the damp underbelly of the city, revealing the political mechanics of how the city runs. There's men selling and buying items on the black market and secret passages behind storefronts. Nothing here is as it seems and yet the unlikely hero is inextricably connected to this world. It's as much a part of him as the gilded one above. He might even have an old uncle who tinkers in his shop trying to make something of value while striving to keep from being thrown out on the streets. Life here is unforgiving and brutally honest. The gruffness of the bassoon mixed with the undulating harmonies in the strings attest to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The third movement is like the calling card of a young woman who's beautiful, uncharacteristically tough, and yet stuck in a world of formalities where she feels positively alien. The triplet waltz evokes tradition and aristocracy while the minor key and melody go against the usual lightness of the dance. The violin shines in this movement. And when the entire ensemble joins in concert to play the tune, you know she's scheming her escape for another world, one full of adventure and where such pretense doesn't exist. Perhaps she unwittingly captures a glimpse of our unlikely hero. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The movement coda's into what could be the theme of the city's capital. It begins softly with <i>pizzacatto</i>. All the instruments move as one often doubling one another. The music isn't simply formal, but meticulously regulated; not a hair is out of place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The fourth movement is light and funny. Its wonky off-kilter rhythm evokes the life of the hero--typical and yet not really. He's at work in a factory, but something happens. The obscure tremolo (16th notes?) in the lower strings ominously interrupts the otherwise light fare. His routine is interrupted. He might have something that doesn't exactly belong to him and is being chased by persistent but incompetent officers. The young man escapes the factory and uses his charm on an unsuspecting shopkeeper to hide him until the coast clears. Of course, nothing goes as planned and he's discovered. You can tell by the bassoon that growls suddenly. He ends up barely escaping through the busy streets amid contraptions and people and ultimately runs into the young woman, whom he uses as part of his cover. Her agitated and confused voice is evoked by the<span style="color: #999999;"> <strike>flute</strike></span> clarinet. She's asking him a thousand questions and he answers as quickly and calmly as possible. She's his only hope of escaping capture and he has seconds to convince her to help him. The tune from the bassoon comes back (the officers). They work their way through the market and eventually come upon the young woman. They question her. She tells them saw nothing. Once they leave, she blackmails him into inviting her into his world of adventure. An officer turns around and spots the man with her and the chase ensues. They ultimately escape, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of course,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> on an airship!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The fifth movement begins with a heavy melody in the horns as if a funeral. Perhaps the young woman's mother doesn't know where her daughter is and the young man's uncle's worst nightmare is soon to become a reality. The brooding melody lasts for a long time. The young man and woman have to find where the gem he "found" belongs. The promise of riches for its rightful return is his motivation. The music eventually becomes more hurried with constant eighths in the strings. The brass interjects its ominous calls. Our two heroes face off against formidable adversaries who are determined to place him in jail and her in a corset and fixed marriage. The <i>accelerando</i> give the clear sense that time is running out. There's a race between the winds and brass with the strings keeping time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How does the story end? I'll let you listen and decide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, check out my inspired <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/classicalcrush/steampunk-music/" target="_blank">pinboard of it on Pinterest</a>! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, and don't forget to get the </span><u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FREE</u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">download of this. You're crazy not to. Positively mad! Now to find my pilot's goggles...</span><br />
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<br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-59226488074702369632013-11-27T11:00:00.000-08:002013-11-27T11:00:03.164-08:00Music for Loss<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Black Friday is just a few days away and already I'm determined to find an alternative to the "holiday music", which is played so often and for so long that it's more like Doomsday music...to my wallet anyway. If you're looking for a tongue-in-cheek alternative, you'll welcome <i>Music for Loss</i> by Hannah Lash. If her</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> name sounds familiar, it's because I wrote about </span><a href="http://classicalcrush.blogspot.com/2013/10/hannahs-autumn-tale.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Hannah in an October post</a><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Music for Loss </i>is both a haven from and an ode to the holiday craziness. The opening reminds me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsD0FDLOKGA" target="_blank">Saint-Saens's Aquarium </a>from the "Carnival of Animals" suite</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. The notes flutter about like falling snowflakes. But instead of the glass harmonica Hannah uses the equally angelic celesta. Just like in </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Aquarium</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, though, the serenity afforded by celesta is lost in the unsettling harmonies among the strings and brass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know for what loss this music was written. Maybe for my money, my patience, or my hope of ever spending Christmas without having to go shopping. But <em>Music for Loss</em> rightly characterizes the loving spirit of the season and the materialism that seeks to ruin it. Just the song to turn up on my phone when I look around slowly at the chaotic crowds in stores like I've entered the Twilight Zone. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-75235601478496144812013-11-18T12:11:00.001-08:002013-11-18T12:11:41.613-08:00Sond'Ar-te Electric Ensemble<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span> while back I posted on <a href="http://classicalcrush.blogspot.com/2013/08/mckays-soundscapes.html" target="_blank">Tristan's piece <em>Haiku</em></a>. I loved it because (1) it was a full-on soundscape and (2) because he broke away from traditional musical notation (<i>Because dots and staves are <b>so</b> 1600</i>). In my musical journeys I'm happy to have found this tradition in Lisbon, Portugal--the land of good food, great beaches, <i>and</i> home to the </span><a href="http://sondarte.com/About.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sond'Ar-te Electric Ensemble</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Sond'Ar-te</strong> <strong>Electric Ensemble </strong>is all about playing new music that incorporates electronics. What makes them different though is that the group is made of soloists. So, when they're not out there being awesome playing ridiculously hard and impressive concerti they join forces--like a musical Justice League or something. They also have annual composition competitions for young music writers that they perform. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Pendulum</em> is one of the competition pieces written by local musician (and 2012 winner) </span><a href="http://ruipenha.pt/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rui Penha</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only listening to the audio, the music is dark and mysterious like an otherworldly scene out of a Miyazaki film. The the soot spirits of </span><em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Totoro</em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or the ghost train riders in </span><em style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spirited Away</em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> come to mind. T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">he amazing music video Rui made is effectively the animated cousin of Tristan's score. See if you can follow the pitches and pendulum swings. FYI, they follow the piano's movement. I hope one day he'll do a remake incorporating colors, shapes, or movements for all the the instruments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watch Sond'Ar-te Live</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can catch <strong><a href="http://sondarte.com/2013_December12th.shtml" target="_blank">Sond'Ar-te Electric Ensemble</a></strong> in concert 12 December at the </span><a href="http://misomusic.com/index.php/en/programmes/musica-viva-festival/2013" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Festival Musica Viva</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> in, of course, Lisbon! I'm kind of hoping these European rock stars will have time to come this side of the Atlantic, preferably with their immersive audio-video setup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-34472871566845134662013-11-14T08:15:00.004-08:002013-11-14T15:22:25.427-08:00Listening to New Music Is Like Loving a Platypus<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>ometimes, classical music lovers (especially those of a certain age) fear that in an attempt to gain attention and win over "the masses" young composers will concede to the comparatively "vapid" style of pop music and in effect water down their compositions. And apparently a certain duck-billed animal attacked singer Billy Joel leading to Green Day's <i>Platypus (I Hate You)</i>. The reputations of both are hampered by misunderstanding and blind mockery, and every defender thinks they have a solution. But there's something we can learn from Perry, and that's this:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make me beautiful. </span></td></tr>
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Be a platypus.</h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes! There's no shame in being a platypus with a fedora even if people question your existence as a joke love child of a duck and beaver, and there's nothing wrong with playing new music that people don't get right away <i>or ever</i>. And present fans need not worry because like Perry, new music has its diehard champions...like the <i>Platypus Ensemble</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The </span><a href="http://platypusensemble.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Platypus Ensemble</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> is a <i>real</i> group. And no, they are not <i>Phinneas and Ferb</i> fans out to rid the world of evil geniuses--or rather the many contraptions of one particular evil genius--but their mission is just as admirable. Formed back in 2009, they play and commision new music by composers from around the world. Their music is not "easy" nor does it have "commercial appeal".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, how does one listen to their music? First, let me just say classical music always required a lot of attention. I <i><b>love</b></i> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaGxiElqyG4" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bruch's G Minor Violin Concerto</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, but if I didn't pay attention to the themes or if I ignored the transitions or <i>*gasp*</i> the cadenzas, even that wouldn't have been interesting. New classical music is no different, it's only that our attention has to be directed to where its beauty lies. Historically, that was largely through modal mixture, but in contemporary classical music (specifically the kind performed by PE) it's through tonal texture. How those musical elements meet creates its charm. And charm only takes effect after being exposed to it for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A hypochondriac's nightmare.</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so I give you <i>Hardbeat </i>by Leah Muir, which is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">centers around the experience of chest pain. (<i>Lovely, right?!</i>) The textures, words, and <i>arrhythmic</i> beat create a feeling of anxiety. Their video (below) also plays into the sense of mortality with its imagery of EKG scans, human hearts, and the use of fading in and out of scenes. Brought to you by the <a href="http://platypusensemble.wordpress.com/concerts/" target="_blank"><b>Platypus Ensemble</b></a>.</span><br />
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<br />classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-92147054216660446192013-10-28T14:54:00.002-07:002013-10-28T15:03:11.454-07:00Crush On: Madeleine Cocolas<h3>
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A Piece A Week</span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aussies know how to rock bold prints and write great music. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meet <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MadeleineCocolasMusic?ref=hl" target="_blank"><b>Madeleine Cocolas</b></a>. If you read her name and thought <i>Coca Cola</i>, don't worry I did too. She's a cute girl from Australia who somewhat reminds me of <a href="http://siamusic.net/" target="_blank">Sia</a>. I'm happy to have stumbled across the music of this awesome Aussie transplant who is writing one piece a week. It's a daunting task and while her latest piece is only from week 30 (It's been about a year already), I'm sure the delay is from finding time to record and properly post it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She chronicles each piece (with regular interjections of Seattle living) in her blog <a href="http://madeleinecocolas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fifty-Two Weeks</b></a>. Her music varies in style, but much of it is theatrical, which comes as no surprise since she's worked in film and television. Although I wish the compositions weren't so piano-centric, the collection isn't bad. Her music is perfect for everything from yoga to stargazing to driving. Here are a few of my faves:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Did I mention that I like how her pics complement each track. </b></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84961587" width="100%"></iframe>classical crush girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131800769330214542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-889154324624944452013-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:002013-10-29T17:34:39.735-07:00Eine Kleine Grimmusik<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grimmusik before spinning a tale of musical terror</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meet the Brothers Grimm</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm paranoid after hearing the music of brothers Grimm, AJ and BC, and you would be, too. I stumbled across this fraternal pair whose last name really is Grimm by chance. Together they are <a href="http://www.grimmusik.com/" target="_blank"><b>Grimmusik</b></a>, multi-instrument wielding composer-musicians who are making a name for themselves in the Wisconsin theatre and dance community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their most recent work? An eerie score for the play <i><a href="http://stagewriteindy.blogspot.com/2013/06/this-is-not-shakespeares-macbeth.html" target="_blank">This is NOT Shakespeare's MacBeth</a></i>. For those of you who might have fallen asleep in high school or asked your "friend" in English to write that paper for you, I'll give you a three-sentence synopsis of it: Macbeth was a Scottish general who met 3 <strike>crazy cat ladies </strike>witches who told him he would be king of Scotland. A series of events not too unlike Game of Thrones takes place (<i>it helps to imagine Macbeth as Joffrey and his wife as Cersei</i>). He and his overbearing wife eventually die of guilt and denial, or a sword to the neck depending on who you ask. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Back to the music!</span> </h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grab those in-ear buds and you'll see that they create an atmosphere intense enough to make you think you're losing your mind. One minute it sounded as if a fly was buzzing inside my ear and the next like I'm slowly going deaf. Needless to say, this isn't going to be anyone's <a href="http://www.funnyvinevideos.com/vines/238/This-Is-My-Jam" target="_blank">jam</a>. But if you have a haunted house (or basement) and need creepy music to introduce that "urban legend" you came up with 20 minutes ago, <a href="http://www.grimmusik.com/#!music-store--buystreamshare/c12mc" target="_blank">this is your music</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly, you won't find these Brothers Grimm on the performing circuit anytime soon--they're taking a two year hiatus while <a href="http://www.grimmusik.com/#!blog/c1ggw" target="_blank">big brother AJ teaches in Spain</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn't choose just one piece because they are all so deliciously dark. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-81291189830783118302013-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:002013-11-18T12:17:49.661-08:00Hannah's Autumn Tale <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I walked outside yesterday I noticed quickly the red and brown leaves crunching underneath my feet. I know they weren't there last week. I breathed in deeply all the sights and sounds of fall. Soon, I found myself thinking of all the tastes of it--apple cider, roasted turkey, pumpkin everything! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And after <a href="http://classicalcrush.blogspot.com/2013/09/cadillac-moon-ensemble.html" target="_blank">listening to <i>Trade Secrets</i></a>, I developed an appetite for more season-worthy pieces. </span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F66149453" width="100%"></iframe><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Please excuse the typo. Being a word-class composer is tiring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>E</i></span>nter <i><b>Filigree in Textile</b> </i>by <a href="http://hannahlash.com/" target="_blank">Hannah Lash</a>. T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">his piece is in three movements: <i>Gold</i>, <i>Silver</i>, and <i>Silk</i>. (A lot like the popular Pokemon titles minus the Silk version, which was shelved after it was discovered that pokemon's bugged (no pun intended?) Harden skills made it impossible to move forward). In any case, I'm only going to talk about <i>Gold--</i>up to 07:12. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Filigree in Textile</i> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">begins with what I consider the defining timbre of autumn--the cello. It has a dark wet-earth feel to it that I love. And </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the interweaving lines from the rest of the quartet that emerge are like streams joining into a river. The harp plays into the sensation dancing around the other voices. It's as though it's leading us down a winding path to take in an idyllic landscape. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Altogether, <i>Filigree in Textile </i>gives you the<i> </i>feeling there's a mystery unfolding in a quiet town. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By the end, the timbres all melt into one another; I can't distinguish the violin's <i>pizz.</i> from the pluck of the harp. They become as sparkling and bright as the movement's name--and the story ends on a note that makes me worlds more hopeful than winning a battle against Silcoon with a Magikarp. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-89968998293628508822013-09-28T06:55:00.001-07:002013-10-29T17:35:30.179-07:00Cadillac Moon Ensemble<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqWZWKgumgrM6kaP-TECq8GIu6kDANjKwU8u4FHpauV21FuK2BKlGrlbwx4krwgbN-b5wu0ePXR1-Cco_fwYoq2TlWLQflSkVnKX0tfI8BClWhh0bsUSVqeGR9H_2ebG0u-aClUETNQI/s1600/CME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cadillac Moon Ensemble" border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqWZWKgumgrM6kaP-TECq8GIu6kDANjKwU8u4FHpauV21FuK2BKlGrlbwx4krwgbN-b5wu0ePXR1-Cco_fwYoq2TlWLQflSkVnKX0tfI8BClWhh0bsUSVqeGR9H_2ebG0u-aClUETNQI/s640/CME.jpg" title="Cadillac Moon Ensemble" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at these guys. How can you say no to these guys?</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cadillac Moon Ensemble</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>his is a band whose repertoire is as colorful as its name. What exactly is a <i>Cadillac moon</i>? I don't know, but I suspect it's something that's high speed and beautiful. This band of four features <a href="http://cadillacmoonensemble.com/about/" target="_blank">Patti</a> on violin, <a href="http://cadillacmoonensemble.com/about/" target="_blank">Meaghan</a> on cello, <a href="http://cadillacmoonensemble.com/about/" target="_blank">Roberta</a> on flute, and <a href="http://cadillacmoonensemble.com/about/" target="_blank">Sean</a> on percussion. They've been called "commission-crazed"by <i>Time Out NY</i>, but I don't think there's anything crazy about that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I </span>thought I'd highlight one piece they performed that embodies the relaxed cool air of the season. Autumn has always seemed to have a certain magic. It's in the suddenly lighter air and in the leaves' change of color. The way the music unfolds in Timo Andres' <i style="font-weight: bold;">Trade Secrets</i> is much like the subtle changes the leaves undergo, from deep green to soft yellow to fiery red and orange. Halfway through, the melody alters course cued by its reincarnation in the violin's harmonics. The music goes from warm and quiet to cold and sharp, much like how the new colder mornings foreshadow the daylong colds of winter; it works itself up into a frenzy like a harsh autumn wind and then quickly falls down to pizzacato. The melody's final state is one of ephemeral beauty. I wish I could loop it indefinitely much like how I wish I could freeze time when all the trees are their most vibrant and the air is full of the scent of burning firewood. If you find yourself loving this piece as much as I did, you might want to take advantage of the <u>FREE</u> download.</span><br />
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C.M.E.'s Fall Fundraiser</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The group had a fundraiser concert event to kick off their upcoming season. If you missed it, you can still <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-fund-cadillac-moon-ensemble-s-2013-14-season" target="_blank">give to their IndieGoGo campaign</a> and get cool swag in return! With a $100 donation you get a free lesson among other things, but there are equally cool gifts at lower levels. Cadillac Moon Ensemble is a fine band to support, if only to perpetuate their insatiable appetite for new (and awesome) music. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-26805287458216901502013-08-30T08:33:00.000-07:002013-09-03T15:15:33.645-07:00In Reena Esmail's Swinging Hammock <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he first time I heard Reena Esmail's <i>Jhula Jhule </i>(pronounced: jewel-a Julie) I didn't know what to say. I was completely mesmerized by this nighttime fantasy world that I was being spirited away to by the piano's introduction. Before last week I didn't know who Reena was. Luckily, I follow Composer's Circle on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ComposersCircle" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Normally, I only occasionally check in there to find new music, but Reena came up on my news feed. <i>(This was quite possibly a subtle push to get me to return to their fan page. And I did! At least after I could have the chance to find out more about her)</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Re</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ena is an American pianist-composer who writes music often infused with Hindustani themes, as is written in her Composer's Circle</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://composerscircle.com/reena-esmail/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">profile</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. While she has other works on Soundcloud that are notably more popular, this piece in particular deserves a little more love. It stands out among the rest with its gracefully soaring violin</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and a piano part that sounds as watery and dreamy as Satie's</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><i>Gymnope</i><i>die No. 1</i></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (click the link if you've never heard it!) I would categorize this as "dream music" because if this is a swinging hammock, it does so across a clear night sky, over a lonely oasis, and through a sleepy village far away. I'm definitely keeping this girl's</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="https://yalemusic.digication.com/reenaesmail/calendar" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">calendar</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on my short list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of, on February 8, 2014 she will be premiering a new arrangement of <i>Jhula Jhule</i> for piano and oboe at the <a href="http://www.tenri.org/" target="_blank">Tenri Institute</a>. I wholly intend to see it (partly because I hear the acoustics there are amazing). </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-23848752018341267582013-08-23T10:16:00.001-07:002013-09-03T15:57:15.023-07:00Crush On: Mazzoli's Uproar<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O</span>ne of my favorite bands of all time is Muse. Though a fan for a while, Matt Bellamy and crew absolutely stole my heart with <b>The Resistance</b>. It was so amazing that I thought, <i>Muse has </i>got<i> to make this into an opera so I can see it</i>. (I mean, <a href="http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/theater/reviews/21idiot.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&" target="_blank">Green Day did a Broadway rendition of American Idiot</a>). And when I hear Matthew's voice, it's all too easy to imagine a mezzo-soprano belting out those lyrics before pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and a comically archetypal villain. But I had since pushed that thought to the back of my mind<i>...</i>that is<i> </i>until I found this girl! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Missy Mazzoli *stares </span><span style="color: #666666;">dramatically off camera*</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.missymazzoli.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>issy Mazzoli</a> is the brains behind the opera <i>Song from the Uproar. </i>Its story pieced together by recovered entries of an old strewn journal, <i>Uproar</i> chronicles the life of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabelle_Eberhardt" target="_blank">Isabelle Eberhardt</a> who journeys to Northern Africa alone. There she joins a Sufi sect and falls in love with an Algerian man, but dies soon after in a flash flood. The music is just as mystical as the Sufi spirit that moved within Isabelle. The video below starts with a clip from the song <i>You Are the Dust</i>. The cello plays a haunting discordant melody while the electric bass pulsates ominously. It's unsettling and yet entrancing<i>. Gah, </i>w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ith all this soul-wrenching goodness, I can't help but wonder if Missy's a fan of Muse, too. You can</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://missymazzoli.bandcamp.com/music" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">listen to the rest of her opera and buy it</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at Mazzoli's site. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-23213523708873427372013-08-22T08:18:00.000-07:002013-09-03T15:45:24.402-07:00McKay's Soundscapes<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>fter yesterday, I dived right in to the soundworld of Tristan McKay. He has an amazing way of making you want to go on dangerous expeditions with the music he writes. Take a minute to visit his <a href="http://www.tristanmckay.com/">page</a> and read his <a href="http://www.tristanmckay.com/bio.html">bio</a>. Meanwhile, I'll be getting lost in Tristan's remote icy soundscape inspired by the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/shackleton/1914/timeline.html">1914 shipwreck of an Englishman named Ernest Shackleton</a>. <i>(**<b>Spoiler Alert</b>** After being shipwrecked and spending weeks looking for help in the Antarctic, ever single man on the voyage is rescued). </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>ristan is a composer after my heart with his multimedia composition <a href="http://www.tristanmckay.com/haiku-69deg05s-51deg30w-2011.html"><i>Haiku</i></a>. While the very clear <b>*</b>Varese-esque feel is rockin, I just <b>love </b> the composition. I mean, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/79392591?access_key=key-1dnd8s360attw6lgkhqg&allow_share=false&show_recommendations=false">have you even <i>seen </i>the score</a>? Following along with a recording hasn't been this fun since...I can't remember. I'm strongly tempted to print it out and draw pictures of penguins engaging the travelers in a bloody battle or a walrus slapping someone in the face. But on a serious note, the symbols are indicative of musical gestures, pitch-agnostic. It's fun to correlate the drawings with certain effects. Especially the middle where there's a glimpse of traditional notation and it explodes back into semi-random lines and figures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also worth adding, Tristan graciously gives a futuristic steam-punk redux of the whole affair with his short but awesome album <i><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shackletongray">Shackleton Gray</a>, </i>whose cover character looks kinda like a cross between Joel and Booker DeWitt (shout out, gamers!) Because what Shacketon's crew lacked was a soundtrack for when they battle mechanized enemies while smuggling a girl around.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Don't know who Varese is? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Varese&page=&utm_source=opensearch">Explore and be amazed</a>. You're welcome.</span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788362018018427789.post-29565661456004817452013-08-21T08:05:00.000-07:002013-10-29T17:35:55.633-07:00The Righteous Girls<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>lthough I love my violin, I will admit the piano is an enticing instrument. After hearing Henry Cowell's <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tk_zHR-r_M">The Banshee</a></i>, I've been in love with the more off-putting side of the piano. (<i>Seriously, it's the perfect theme music for Damien from the Omen or that scene in The Shining where Jack Nicholson's character is chasing his son through the hedge maze</i>). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If it weren't for my too-small hands or an older sibling already learning it, I might have dared to try it out. In recently discovering Erika Dohi and Gina Izzo, aka </span><b style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.righteousgirls.com/">Righteous Girls</a></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I rediscovered my love of creepy as all else piano music! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I </span>missed the opportunity to see Erika play at the Norfolk Music Festival this past June, but be sure I will stalk these two lovelies' concert schedule and see them live. In the meanwhile, their recording of <i>Safari</i> will have to do...and they might have a few other cool tracks, too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F65264208" width="100%"></iframe></span></div>
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