Tuesday, June 27, 2023
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.
The Enchanting Power of Intimacy: Music in Small Venues
By Frances Wilson, Interlude
1901 Arts Club
In the realm of live music, small concert venues serve as magical spaces to create a unique connection between performers and audiences. While grand concert halls have their place, it is within the intimate confines of these smaller places that a profound and transformative musical and emotional experience unfolds.
Such places are often not purpose-built music venues but simply small spaces which lend themselves to a more intimate concert experience. They may be converted churches, a former schoolhouse (the 1901 Arts Club in London, for example), a café, a river barge, or even someone’s home. Music presented in such settings is also a reminder of how music was performed up until the mid-19th century, when performers like Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann transformed the intimate concert into the rather grander, large-scale affair which we understand today.
Steven Isserlis performing at Fidelio cafe
Small venues provide an unparalleled level of intimacy that is often absent in larger venues. The close proximity of the audience allows for a more immediate and personal connection between performers and listeners. Musicians can see and feel the energy of the listeners, creating a symbiotic relationship where the audience’s response fuels the performer’s passion. This intimate connection can foster a sense of vulnerability and authenticity, enhancing the overall experience for both parties.
Treehouse Shoreditch
In smaller concert venues, performers have the freedom to express themselves authentically and with spontaneity. These venues often attract artists who prioritize creative exploration and experimentation over commercial success. Artists feel more comfortable taking risks and showcasing their true artistic vision, as they are performing for a receptive and engaged audience who appreciates the rawness of their craft. The absence of overwhelming production elements, such as special lighting or stage setting, encourages musicians to rely on their talents and ability to communicate which creates a genuine and organic musical experience.
For the audience, there is a heightened sense of engagement: they are not mere spectators but active participants in the unfolding narrative of the performance with more direct interaction with the musicians, a non-verbal ‘conversation’, as it were, which creates a sense of community and shared experience that is deeply gratifying for both performers and audiences alike. Audiences can get ‘up close and personal’ with music and musicians, watching the musicians interact with one another through eye contact and gestures, and actually witnessing music being created ‘in the moment’.
Small concert venues can also act as breeding grounds for emerging artists and composers, and the discovery of new, lesser-known, or rarely-performed repertoire. These intimate spaces provide a platform for performers to showcase their talent and gain exposure. Audiences, in turn, have the opportunity to discover hidden gems and witness the growth of rising stars firsthand. The sense of discovery and being part of an artist’s journey adds an element of excitement and exclusivity that is often absent in larger or more commercial venues.
Above all, the atmosphere in a small venue can be truly memorable. The intimate setting creates a special ambiance of a shared, often transformative, or immersive experience that resonates long after the performance ends.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
reinee's latest single 'Liwanag' is heartfelt ballad about the joy and pain of new love
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
Jun 23, 2023 12:08 PM
AT A GLANCE
rienne's sonic tapestries are carefully woven from the threads of their own life story, intertwining catchy melodies with introspective lyricism. As they navigate the ever-changing landscapes of love, identity, and self-discovery, their songs become powerful vessels that reflect the universal struggles and triumphs of their generation. With each heartfelt note, rienne invites listeners to explore the vast spectrum of human emotions, celebrating the beauty of individuality and embracing the complexities of the human experience.
In their latest single, "Liwanag," singer-songwriter rienne takes us on an emotional journey, capturing the essence of both the elation and heartache that come with the experience of new love. Inspired by the warmth of a rising sun and the bittersweet anticipation of what lies ahead as they pour their heart into this soul-stirring ballad.
rienne's sonic tapestries are carefully woven from the threads of their own life story, intertwining catchy melodies with introspective lyricism. As they navigate the ever-changing landscapes of love, identity, and self-discovery, their songs become powerful vessels that reflect the universal struggles and triumphs of their generation. With each heartfelt note, rienne invites listeners to explore the vast spectrum of human emotions, celebrating the beauty of individuality and embracing the complexities of the human experience.
After releasing several bops last year like their single "honey," and having their songs featured in the iWantTFC series Sleep With Me, and concluding the year by unleashing the empowering anthem "HINDI KITA KAILANGAN", rienne now gifts us with a new musical creation that radiates with even more brilliance. This time, mix and mastered by Nick Lazaro, with executive producer Ricky Del Rosario Ilacad, under Off The Record Label.
In an interview, rienne explained that "Liwanag" is about the feeling of falling asleep next to someone you adore and knowing that they might have to leave when you wake up."
It's about that moment when you stay in that warm, safe morning sunlight. You hope the sunlight (aka your person) won't leave because you know you aren't going anywhere.”
WATCH rienne answers fan questions: https://youtu.be/vMumrQm1nZA
An interesting fact about their latest single is that rienne wrote “Liwanag” years ago when they were still in college and inspired by a local Filipino band. ”They said that they wanted to write a song that is somehow optimistic but still captured the bittersweet feeling of new love.
In rienne’s latest single, we get to know how "Liwanag" is a reflection of that precious moment. It encapsulates the longing and vulnerability that accompany such a situation, as well as the desire to hold onto the fleeting moments of happiness.
rienne's identity as a queer artist brings a powerful and necessary perspective to their craft. Their music becomes a vessel for self-expression, channeling the triumphs and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community into melodies that speak volumes. By fearlessly embracing their truth, rienne becomes a beacon of hope for those who may feel unheard or invisible, offering a voice that celebrates the diversity and resilience of their community. Releasing “Liwanag” during pride month is a hopeful treat for everybody! We surely can’t wait to hear this live or through different streaming platforms once released!
Hailing from the vibrant streets of Pasig City, Philippines, and now finding their creative haven in the enchanting landscapes of West Virginia, USA, rienne emerges as a queer alt-indie pop artist with a distinct musical identity. Their artistic journey is deeply intertwined with their personal experiences as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, infusing their music and lyricism with the raw emotions and unique perspectives of a Gen Z individual.
Lang Lang’s Incredible Piano Performance Draws HUGE Crowd | The Piano | ...
In his first public performance at a railway station, Lang Lang drew a huge crowd to hear him perform The Flight of the Bumblebee, composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, followed by Liebesträume, by Franz Liszt, on a piano specially brought into London’s St Pancras station.
The performance, inspired by the incredible amateur pianists featured on the Channel 4 show, The Piano, came ahead of the series one finale.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, #ThePiano sets out to find the best amateur pianists from across the UK. Performing on public pianos across iconic venues such as London St Pancras, Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham train stations, while sharing their beautiful stories and music with the British public.
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