Friday, June 30, 2023
10 Podcasts about Classical Music and Beyond
by
Do you listen to podcasts? I enjoy listening to podcasts, especially when I am driving. In this article, I share some podcasts about classical music that our contributors and I listen to. Perhaps there are a few that you might want to listen to!
1. Latin American & Iberian Art Song Podcast
Hosted by Patricia Caicedo, Latin American & Iberian Art Song Podcast is a weekly podcast that began in 2021 during the pandemic. Caicedo is a singer and a musicologist who is an ambassador of Iberian and Latin American art songs. The podcast does not only discuss Latin American and Iberian Art songs but also discovers composers, poets, cultures, and many more associated with the Latin American world.
2. Mind over Finger podcast
Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier © Monica Ninker
Mind Over Finger podcast provides resources for musicians in the music-making journey. Hosted by Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier, the podcast includes many helpful discussions for musicians about practicing, performing, career-buildings, etc. Listening to this podcast has taught me many tips about rehearsing and performing.
3. The Offstage Mic
Hosted by Aubrey Bergauer, the Offstage Mic is all about the behind-the-scenes of classical industry. Bergauer is a tuba player who graduated from music performance and business at Rice University. Her shift from music performance to art management has led her to be the current executive of the California Symphony, where she has helped double the size of its audience and increased the donor base for the symphony. In addition to the podcast, Bergauer gave her brilliant thoughts through writing and conference talks.
4. OpenArted
Hosted by pianist Monika Lozinskiene, OpenArted invites varieties of guests from all walks of life. The conversation involves mental wellness, career advice, and performance practice, and some lead to deep philosophical discussions and debates.
5. Twouncles 《大叔聊古典》
Twouncles is a Taiwanese podcast (in Mandarin) hosted by Yu-ting Wu and Peng-Po Hsu. The podcast includes introducing pieces and recordings, discovering music education programs and events, and interviews. Their guests are varied from renowned musicians and music students to art and music agencies.
6. Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a long-lasting show on BBC Radio 4 where guests are interviewed about pieces of music that are meaningful to them. The music they choose can be from any genre. Still, classical music often gets selected as many interviewees have one piece or another of classical music that has a special significance to them and their lives. In the show, you can hear how music often shapes and defines people’s lives; we all have certain songs or compositions that remind us of a specific moment in our past or that we love just for how they make us feel.
7. Integrated Music Teaching Podcast
As a piano teacher, I have found Integrated Music Teaching Podcast very useful. The host, Tim Topman, is a piano educator, and in his podcast, he interviews many piano educators and discusses the different scenarios in giving individual and group piano lessons.
8. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Hosted by conductor and music director Joshua Weilerstein, Sticky Notes includes historical backgrounds and stylistic discussions of repertoires from well-known to less known. It also includes interviews with musicians and composers to discuss the current scene in the classical world.
9. This Classical Life
Another BBC show, This Classical Life, is a weekly show hosted by Jess Gillam. In the show, the guest often shares the music they love and how it has impacted their lives. I particularly like the variety of music I can listen to in this little over 30-min show every week.
10. The Cello Sherpa podcast
The Cello Sherpa Podcast is hosted by cellist Joel Dallow, a member of the Atlanta Symphony. The podcast not only features acclaimed cellists and discusses cello-related topics but also explores topics about career-making, personal stories, and advice for young professionals. One of our contributors, Janet Horvath, was once interviewed in the podcast.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
John Williams emerges from behind curtain, to conduct surprise ‘Indiana Jones’ at US premiere
Legendary composer John Williams conducted a surprise orchestral set at the US premiere of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, to the audience’s delight.
Attendees of the US premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on 15 June were in for a treat, as made a surprise appearance on stage with a live symphony orchestra to play the franchise’s much-loved music.
Before audiences saw the film for the first time, some of the franchise’s most famous faces, including George Lucas and , were introduced to the stage.
After a few moments, Spielberg was handed the microphone, and he began paying tribute to his long-time collaborator and friend, John Williams.
“The person who is the glue to all five of these films, who gave us all of our rhythm and all of our melody, the great maestro, John Williams,” Spielberg said.
As he announced his long-time collaborator’s name, the screen behind Spielberg rose like a curtain to reveal Williams and orchestra. “This is amazing,” members of the audiences can be heard saying in shock.
Williams then led the orchestra in 12 minutes of glorious music from Indiana Jones, from the iconic main melody to some of the composer’s newer themes, including music from The Dial of Destiny.
“We have a tradition with Indiana Jones which is that Indy has his music in all the various moves that he has, and his action scenes and comedy, and so many modes, the music is always there,” Williams told the audience.
“The other part of the tradition,” Williams added, “Is that we usually have a theme for the heroine or leading lady. In this film we have Phoebe Waller-Bridge. You’ll see the most brilliant duet between Harrison and Phoebe as they do their wonderful witty dialogue and action and comedy and jeopardy.”
Williams continued, “Phoebe will be represented musically by a lyrical piece, reminiscent of the ’40s and ’50s and old Hollywood… This is ‘Helena’s Theme.’ It’s all about Phoebe, not all parts of her, but a lot of it.”
The 91-year-old composer, who earlier this year became the oldest person to be nominated for an Oscar, was set to lay down his baton after Indiana Jones. But in January, he reversed on his decision, admitting that he “couldn’t say no” to Steven Spielberg on an additional upcoming project.
Spielberg then revealed that he was making a documentary on Williams’ life. A release date has not yet been given, but we can take a guess at who could be providing the soundtrack...
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
'Coppélia,' 'Christmas Fairytales,' and 'Limang Daan' highlight Ballet Philippines' 54th season
Ballet Philippines 2023: A diverse box of delights.
BY PHILIP CU UNJIENG
Jun 29, 2023 11:48 AM
This 54th season of Ballet Philippines sees the troupe living up to its theme of the “Power of Dance,” by showcasing diversity. And to enrich the agenda, Ballet Philippines is proud to announce that it has a new home for the next three years: The Theatre at Solaire.This is a coup for Ballet Philippines, as many performing arts companies have been scrambling for regular venues since the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) went into hiatus for its three-year renovation program. The Theatre at Solaire is one of the most sought-after, well-equipped, and designed live performance venues in town, so it is a great fit for Ballet Philippines.
At a media lunch held at the Oasis, Solaire, the Ballet Philippines Board of Trustees was represented by Kathleen Lior-Liechtenstein, Bernadette Aboitiz, and Rosalind Wee. Artistic Director Misha Martynyuk introduced a short snippet of "Coppelia," which will serve as a teaser for the company's 54th season.
Kathleen Liechtenstein speaking to Mark Wilson, with Bernadette Aboitiz to Mark’s right.
"Coppélia" will be performed on Aug. 4-6, with five performances spread over the three days. The ballet was first performed in 1870, and it is considered a classic of the genre. It was originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes, with a libretto by Charles Louis Nuitter. "Coppélia" is a comic ballet, and it is a wonderful light-hearted way to usher in Ballet Philippines' 54th season.
At its core, "Coppélia" is a story about a young boy named Franz who falls in love with a life-sized doll named Coppelia. Franz's girlfriend, Swanilda, is determined to dispel Franz's infatuation with the doll, and she soon discovers that Coppelia is actually a creation of Professor Coppelius, a mysterious inventor.
Ballet Philippines gave a sneak preview of "Coppelia" to media guests at the press conference in Solaire.
The premise of creating life from inanimate objects was a popular one in the 19th century, and "Coppélia" is one of many works that explore this theme. Other famous works that deal with this subject include "The Adventures of Pinocchio" and "Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus."
This concept of creating life from inanimate objects is still a popular one today, as evidenced by the continued fascination with robots and AI bots. This is why the theme and storyline of "Coppélia" will have a broad appeal. If Misha ratchets up the comic elements, as he promised during the press event, then a good time is guaranteed for all, young and old alike.
The ever entertaining Rosalind Wee, with Metro Channel’s Lala Ventura.
The second performance of Season 54 will be "Christmas Fairytales," slated for Dec. 15-17. The set design and costumes promise to be part of the wonderment attached to this performance. The ballet is set at a regular home, and when the young girl asks her minder to read her a fairy tale, she is whisked away to a world where the toys and storybook figures come alive. And of course, waking up the next morning with her family is the best reality.
On March 8-10, 2024, Ballet Philippines will present "Limang Daan," a Filipiniana ballet that looks back through dance at 500 years of cross-cultural encounters and references, dominated by Spanish influences. "Limang Daan" is both art and history, reflecting on our yesterday, informing us of today, and preparing us for our tomorrow. It promises to be quite the spectacle.
The 54th Season of Ballet Philippines is a diverse lineup of performances, with something for everyone. From the classic "Coppélia" to the whimsical "Christmas Fairytales" to the thought-provoking "Limang Daan," there is sure to be something to enjoy.
The sun continues to shine brightly on Ballet Philippines, and its new home at Solaire is a fitting place for this talented company to continue to grow and thrive.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Rhapsody in Blue: How Gershwin broke the mold
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is a unique genre-defying piece, it breaks all the rules, crosses all the boundaries and has remained massively popular despite regular getting a drubbing from the critics. In this video I take a look at what makes it tick.
Piano Duel - Yuja Wang vs. Khatia Buniatishvili
Monday, June 26, 2023
Bert Kaempfert - Wonderland By Night (1960)
Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra performing "Wonderland By Night", released originally in 1960.
It reached #1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, #1 in New Zealand Charts, and #5 in the US Billboard Hot R&B Sides.
"Wonderland By Night" is an instrumental song that served as the theme of a film about Germany. Bert Kaempfert was a German-born multi-instrumentalist who worked with popular artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and the Beatles. He produced the Beatles' first session in 1961, in which the Beatles backed Tony Sheridan, and Kaempfert's influence continued to inspire them.
Kaempfert started to achieve success with "Wonderland by Night," and his rise to the top began in 1959, when he was hired as a staff producer for Polydor Records in Germany. The song was particularly appealing to more mature listeners, and Decca Records, which made an agreement with Polydor to distribute Kaempfert's releases in America, worked to assemble an album around the song.
As a result, many of the tracks that rounded out the album, including the Kaempfert original "Lullaby for Lovers" and his version of the standard "La Vie En Rose," were filler.
Bert Kaempfert continued to chart albums through 1971. He died at the age of 56 in June 1980 in Switzerland.
MAGBAGO KA - Freddie Aguilar
Song MAGBAGO KA by Freddie Aguilar in tagalog on beautiful scenery from my first trip to The Philippines. Scenes of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales and Oriental Mindoro.
1924. The year Jazz crashed Classical Music’s party - Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue captured the spirit of American culture and art in the early 20th century - Exuberant, restless innovation, and a healthy disregard for the rulebook.
The 5 Best Key Changes in Classical Music
Rounding off my mini-series on Harmony, this video is about those sudden key changes, that often form points of revelation or increased intensity...This list is entirely personal!
Theme of Man with no Name trilogy..........
One of the best soundtracks by Ennio Morricone for Man with no name Trilogy! All the three sound tracks from movie A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The good the bad and the ugly. Hope You like it..
Rhapsody in Blue Debut | Rhapsody In Blue | Warner Archive
Sunday, June 25, 2023
How well do you know Classical Music? A Quiz.
Saturday, June 24, 2023
A Day In The Life with orchestra - The Beatles (arr. Sam Haug)
Some Advice to Young Musicians
By Janet Horvath, Interlude
© Minnesota Youth Symphonies
Several of my adult students are passionate about their playing and are dedicated to setting aside time each day to make music, nurturing a lifelong passion, no matter their level of accomplishment. It got me thinking. What advice would I give young musicians, so they will always love playing music, wherever life takes them? Here are ten suggestions:
1. Play everything beautifully, even scales and exercises, with a warm alluring tone. Your sound quality is your voice, which should please you and your audience.
2. Always try to play with ease. Release any and all tension. Your music will flow if your body feels free. Think about breathing, and use the least amount of effort to execute a phrase.
3. Experiment with the way you express the music. Search for better and more meaningful ways to communicate. Avoid playing a phrase the same way twice. Change something—the phrasing, the dynamic, the fingering, the bowing, the bow speed, the sound quality.
4. Study the music away from your instrument. Attend performances of great music and outstanding musicians. Listen to a variety of artists’ masterclasses and recordings, including historic recordings. Compare their approaches, but never imitate. Try to find your unique interpretation.
5. Practice consistently and carefully. One hour a day is better than three hours every three days. Never let a passage go by that is out of tune, poorly executed, or sounds ineffective. Consistency will lead to fluency. Listen for interruptions in the musical line. Analyze what didn’t work and go back over the passage with questions—was it due to a fingering, a shift, a bow-change, a breath, a string-crossing, the position of your hand or arm?
6. Seek out excellent teachers and colleagues. Learn from as many of them as you can. Be a good colleague and collaborator. Be willing to play with others, and to listen to others.
7. Play for people and perform often—at your place of worship, in your home, at community centers, or recital halls. Join a community orchestra or form a small ensemble that gets together frequently. One learns very quickly what works and what doesn’t in the performance situation.
8. Musicians are constantly criticized. Heed constructive suggestions but try not to take them personally. Learn to incorporate useful information to improve your playing.
9. Perfect pieces within your capabilities. Work on the techniques, which will help you play a piece skillfully, and will allow you to focus on communicating the music. Avoid struggling with a work that is beyond you at the moment.
10. Have confidence. Playing music is a process. Celebrate every milestone. If your goal is to move people emotionally not playing “perfectly” you will have succeeded. It’s a privilege to learn to play music. It’s an even greater privilege to share music with others. Remember, your audience and the colleagues with whom you are playing are there for the collective experience, for beauty, for transcendence.
Our world today has unique challenges. Economies are moving further away from traditional employment. In a world where innovation and originality are so important, where logical thinking and the ability to innovate are sought-after talents—imagination, inventiveness, tenacity, and creativity have become coveted skills. Learning a musical instrument enhances these skills and uses your head, as well as your heart. Making music will always enrich everything you do in life.
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