There are several pieces from the 2nd Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern) that I like and certainly respect as being important. Still, it's fun to laugh and poke fun at art sometimes. Here is a hilarious segment:
Dude Plays a Mean Harmonica!
Check out Buddy Greene playing some amazing harmonica at Carnegie Hall. He really makes the tiny little handheld instrument sing and is able to produce a variety of colors. Great stuff!
NWS at the Forefront of Orchestral Innovation
When I lived in Miami for 5 years, one of my favorite destinations was the New World Symphony. I loved watching the youthful and energetic musicians play the heck out of often very interesting and innovative programs. And of course, Michael Tilson Thomas is a superstar and there was a lot to be learned from watching him (and hearing his remarks on the music). And, major guests artists abound at NWS, adding a whole new dimension to the orchestra.
NWS has always been at the forefront of orchestral innovation, and so their relatively new "Pulse" series of late night concert events for younger audiences is not that surprising. They are consistently coming up with interesting and innovative ideas to engage audiences, push boundaries, and offer a really fantastic product for the Miami audiences.
There is no doubt that Miami is very fortunate to have the NWS and all it's leadership in town. Here is an article from the Miami Herald on the "Pulse" program.
Garbage Trucks that Blast Classical Music!
Yes, I thought the same thing - AWESOME! In Taiwan, garbage trucks play music (mostly classical!) to let residents know the truck is en route to pickup their garbage. Residents need to hand deliver the garbage to the truck instead of leaving it on the sidewalk. So, the music alerts them that it is "time to take out the trash." Great stuff!
Music continues to make the world a better, cleaner place!
Watch the action below and Read more here.
Groove Music
I'm currently working on a new piece for saxophone quartet and flute ensemble, a commission from the University of Central Florida. Indeed, you say, what a unique combination of instruments! It's an exciting challenge to create music for this interesting instrumentation. I've chosen to expand upon a movement of my 4-movement "Nocturnes" for solo piano.
As I started to think about material for saxophone quartet and flute ensemble, I realized that the music from the fourth movement of Nocturnes would score really well for this instrumentation. And, I have been wanting to expand on the "groove" section in the middle of the piece for some time. In this new iteration, the opening half of the movement (the slow part) will remain relatively the same, but the fast section will be greatly expanded and the work will end fast, not returning to the slower music like the piano version. I love driving and rhythmic music, and I'm enjoying working on this section.
The groove made me think of Michael Tilson Thomas, one of my favorite conductors to watch. He is always so engaged in the music, always grooving, and always having so much fun. I love it. I hope my fast, grooving music is as much fun as MTT and Tchaikovsky in this great HD video from the San Francisco Symphony:
Recap: 2011
I like to think that I am always forging ahead, ready to dive into the next project, learn from new experiences, etc. But, every now and then it is good to look back and evaluate our path, make goals and strategies for the future, and put things in perspective. 2011 was a great year in many ways.
First and foremost, I married a loving, caring, and musical(!) woman whom I can't imagine living without. I also composed a bunch of new works, and looking back, I'm pretty happy with them! That is always good - not having to burn too much music! I saw many friends and colleagues throughout the year, and made wonderful new acquaintances. Dedicated performers and conductors put a wealth of time, energy, and musicality into performances of my music this year, and I'm grateful for their passion.
Here are the new pieces I composed in 2011 (in date order, oldest to newest):
Distant Moons - Wind Ensemble
Arise & Sing - SATB Choir
Once More, My Soul - SATB Choir & Piano
From Our Happy Home - TTBB Choir & English Horn
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven - Cello & Violin (coming soon to the website!)
A Song of Singing - SATB Choir, Piano, Timpani, Brass Ensemble
The Star Spangled Banner - Arrangement for Chamber Orchestra (coming soon to the website!)
This Song of Mine - SA Choir & Piano
Stay tuned for 2012 plans!
My Favorite Christmas Carols/Songs (Part III)
Welcome to day 3, the final day of the Christmas Carol/Song list. Miss the previous posts in this series? Catch up here and here. Before we get to the songs of the day, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And today, on the final day of the list, you get a BONUS track - three selections! Let's get started.
Traditional Pick of the Day - Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
There's not much to say about "Lo, How a Rose" except that when it's done right, it will take your breath away. It is a carol of German origin, and here is a wonderful recording with the German text by the Monteverdi Choir.
Guilty Pleasure Pick of the Day - Silver Bells - The Temptations
Family trips in the car to Vermont every Christmas pretty much consisted of my brother and I fighting the entire time, and listening to the Temptations Christmas tape.
Yes kids, that's right, I said "tape."
We had a cassette tape, and man did we get our money's worth out of that thing. Here is the Temptations singing a classic Christmas song. It just brings warmth to your heart and a smile to your face!
BONUS TRACK!! - Lo, How a Rose/The Rose
This is a unique arrangement of "Lo, How a Rose" and "The Rose," an Amanda McBroom song made famous by Bette Midler. This makes the list because "The Rose" is actually my mother's favorite song - and for good reason - it's a beautiful song. So, Mom - this one is for you!
(P.S. As a composer I must give my two cents here for a moment - I think the arrangement could have done more integrating the two songs, one on top of another, instead of simply dovetailing the phrases of one song with the other. But, it's still a fun piece. Ok, off my composer soapbox.)
My Favorite Christmas Carols/Songs (Part II)
Welcome to day 2 of the Christmas Carol/Song list! Catch up with Part I here. Traditional Pick of the Day: O Little Town of Bethlehem - performed by the Marsh Chapel Choir directed by Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett
There's no question that this is a wonderful Christmas carol. But to be honest, I'm including it on the list both because of the beauty of the carol itself, and because I wanted to post a performance by the Marsh Chapel Choir and conductor Scott Jarrett.
Until a couple of weeks ago I didn't know anything about the Marsh Chapel Choir, but I was fortunate enough to attend their annual Lessons and Carols service and it completely blew me away. It's an amazing ensemble, with one of the most sensitive and talented conductors I have seen in a long time.
See for yourself: (P.S. Keep watching if you like "In The Bleak Midwinter" and/or "Hark the Herald Angels Sing.")
Guilty Pleasure Pick of the Day - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Harry Connick, Jr.
Fun, classic song with a wonderful arrangement by Harry Connick, Jr. It makes the list because the opening of Connick's arrangement is maybe the best opening of any Christmas song arrangement I have heard. It's so good, it's "bad" in jazz lingo. So bad... so bad.
Here's a recording where someone out there created a synchronized show between the music and the Christmas lights on their house. Would I do this with my free time? Probably not. But the song still rocks.
My Favorite Christmas Carols/Songs (Part I)
For the next three days, I'm going to offer up some of my favorite Christmas carols and songs, and try to include some great recordings of them. Each day I'm going to try to include 1 of my favorite traditional carols or songs, and 1 "guilty pleasure." Enjoy!
Traditional Pick of the Day - "Once in Royal David's City."
What better way to start this list? A profound and beautiful carol that is so peaceful - definitely one of my favorites.
Guilty Pleasure Pick of the Day - "River" - Sarah McLachlan
River is a beautiful song written by the legendary folk singer Joni Mitchell. Sarah McLachlan (whose voice I really like) sings what I think is a captivating version of the song.
It is one of those songs that automatically transports me to another place - childhood. Christmas time specifically. It's funny because I didn't really listen to this song much until a couple of years ago, but when I listen to the song it makes me think of my childhood. I guess the song has a bit of a nostalgic tone to it...and I certainly have fond memories of childhood Christmas expectation, joy and peace.
Why I Love Music (Part II)
In case you missed it, here is Part I of this series. Here is another reason why I love music: #2: Music Brings People Together
Of course, you say. Tell me something I don't already know.
We go to concerts where groups of people gather, we play in ensembles together, we sing together. Music brings people together. But actually, that's not really what I mean.
Granted it's great that people get together to experience music and perform, listen, embrace all genres in communities large and small. But what I really mean is that music brings all kinds of people together. People who otherwise may not have much in common can be united through music. Language, geography, race, age, creed - all these types of boundaries can be crossed by music, and not many other things have that power.
I recently performed a couple of soulful and jazzy songs with a wonderful older gentleman, which got me thinking about this topic. Although I'm sure he and I have a number of things in common, on the surface we seem quite different, influenced primarily by the large age gap that "separates" us.
But it was music that brought us together and allowed us to share something special together. And the music crossed all boundaries - we were just two people playing music together and loving it. Indeed, music unites us on many levels.
Here's a video that's pretty popular (you may have seen it), but one that I think illustrates this point really well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEs8yqhavtI