Sunday, August 20, 2023
Candide Overture: Leonard Bernstein conducting
Stressbuster - Top three ways to improve wellbeing through music
AT A GLANCE
‘It has many therapeutic effects. It can assist, manage, and reduce stress, decrease anxiety. It may increase self-esteem, strengthen coping skills, and more.’
With or without lyrics, music is the universal language of the soul. It transcends forms and boundaries and speaks within our deepest humanity.
To be in sync with harmony calls for self-reflection, self-regulation, and self-expression. It increases motivation and happiness. When shared through experiences, it even harnesses meaningful relationships.
Janine Marie Flores, a professor in the music production program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), stresses how music can enhance one’s mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being.
“It has many therapeutic effects,” she says. “It can assist, manage, and reduce stress, decrease anxiety. It may increase self-esteem, strengthen coping skills, and more.”
Through music therapy, a clinical and evidence-based treatment, individuals can maximize the power of the art to improve their holistic wellness. With the guidance of a credentialed professional, objectives are tailored and specific needs are met.
To further encourage the general public to utilize the wonders of melody for their overall health, Flores, who is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Music Major in Music Therapy at St. Paul University Manila, shares the top three tips one can explore in their day-to-day life.
Create a playlist
Specific types of music bring out certain emotional responses. This may be similar or different from one person to the other. Some may feel calm listening to rock or pop music, others find solace in ballads or jazz.
Identify feelings brought by particular genres. Use these to manifest calmness, improve the mood, spark creativity, or inspire movement. If you want to shift from being upset to feeling happy, start with sad songs. Then, add happy-themed songs to change the mood into a more positive one.
Sing
Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin, the “feel-good hormones.” It helps relieve pain, alleviate anxiety and stress, and boost mood. It also eases muscle tensions, corrects posture and refines breathing. It improves our lung capacity as we need to take deep breaths in order to sing properly. The act may even sharpen mental alertness, boost our confidence, increase our socialization skills, and develop more friendships.
Write songs
Interpreting difficult circumstances through music fosters self-expression, stress relief, and self-esteem. You can write music with or without words and improvise with various sounds and rhythmic patterns. This allows one to acknowledge, process, and regulate emotions. Substitute your own words for lyrics. Play an instrument with an unplanned melody. Create a new tune.
Friday, August 18, 2023
Top 10 Most Famous Pieces by Female Classical Composers
0:00 10th Place: Francesca Caccini - Primo Libro delle Musiche, XII. Aria: Lasciatemi qui solo, 1618
0:32 9th Place: Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre - Céphale et Procris, Act IV, Scene III, Funeste mort, 1694
1:05 8th Place: Louise Farrenc - Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op.45, I. Allegro deciso, 1857
1:46 7th Place: Lili Boulanger - 2 Pieces for Violin and Piano, I. Nocturne, 1911/1914
2:30 6th Place: Amy Beach - Romance, Op.23, 1893
3:07 5th Place: Barbara Strozzi - Che si puó fare?, 1664
3:49 4th Place: Clara Schumann - Piano Concerto, Op.7, I. Allegro maestoso, 1833-1835
4:13 3rd Place: Fanny Mendelssohn - Notturno, H.337, 1838
4:49 2nd Place: Cécile Chaminade - Concertino pour flûte, Op.107, 1902
5:25 1st Place: Hildegard of Bingen - O virga ac diadema, 12th Century
Five of the Angriest Classical Music Feuds
By Emily F. Hogstad, Interlude
Salieri v. Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri © slavicwritings.com
Everyone who saw the 1984 movie “Amadeus” knows the story. Antonio Salieri was a mediocre composer who was blindingly jealous of his young and impish colleague, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In fury, he sabotages his career – and ultimately, his life.
That said… It’s not true. In real life, Salieri was a generally well-liked and well-regarded man, and a prolific and talented composer. He even taught Mozart’s son after Mozart died. And he didn’t poison Mozart.
The core of the legend came from letters that Mozart and his father wrote to each other in the 1780s, positing the existence of an “Italian cabal” that was seeking to block Mozart’s ascendance. The Mozart men were irritated that the Austrian court gave such prominence to the work of Italians; they believed that Austrian artists should reign supreme at court. This wider feud between Italian and Germanic styles of music persisted long after Mozart and Salieri, and perhaps consequentially, a rumor arose after their deaths that Salieri outright poisoned Mozart. So there was indeed a feud between the two composers, but it was a bit one-sided, and it wasn’t as dramatic – or deadly – as Hollywood suggests.
Brahms v. Wagner
Johannes Brahms and Richard Wagner © operalibera.net
After Beethoven’s revolutionary contributions to orchestral music, composers had to make tough decisions about how they would respond. Would they continue to embrace and refine the more instrumental-based genres that Beethoven had embraced, like the symphony or the sonata? Or would they throw out the old rule book and push forward to create new musical concepts and languages, as seen in program music? What genre would win the battle for cultural relevance: symphonies or operas?
This argument grew incredibly heated in the mid-1800s and became known (perhaps a bit melodramatically) as the War of the Romantics. Generally speaking, Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert and Clara Schumann were seen as the “conservatives” in this struggle, while figures like Liszt, Berlioz, and Wagner were seen as the “radicals.” A great deal of ink was spilled delineating the positions of the two camps. In the end, Wagner never wrote a symphony, and Brahms never wrote an opera.
Although their music was very different, Brahms appreciated at least some of Wagner’s music. “I’m the best of Wagnerians,” he told his friends in private. He even collected original Wagner manuscripts (much to Wagner’s irritation). That said, Brahms wasn’t such a fan of the loud extra-musical opinions that Wagner blared in various screeds and pamphlets.
Debussy v. Ravel
Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel © wfmt.com
The music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel is often jammed together on compilation discs with titles like “French Impressionism.” But just because the two men were writing music at the same time in the same city doesn’t mean they were best friends.
They met around 1900 when Debussy’s stepson Raoul Bardac, a classmate of Ravel’s, introduced them. Ravel was thirteen years younger and at a different stage of artistic and professional development than Debussy was, and Ravel admired the older man’s work intensely, to the point where he was criticized in the press for copying Debussy too closely.
In 1903, a hubbub arose when Debussy wrote a piece that seemed to be inspired by the Spanish-sounding strains in Ravel’s music. It was understandable for a younger man to copy an older one, the train of thought went, but should the older one be the composer copying the younger one? Then in 1913 the two – without knowing the other one was embarking on the same project – set some of Stéphane Mallarmé’s new poetry to music, before the poetry had been published. Their mutual distrust grew.
Another scandalous issue closer to home had caused the two composers to drift apart emotionally. Raoul Bardac introduced his (married) mother to (the married) Debussy…and the two fell in love and ran off together. Debussy’s first wife was left without a husband, and Ravel was one of the Parisians who made a financial contribution to her. The feud became official.
Mendelssohn v. Liszt
Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn
We wrote an entire article about the rivalry between Felix Mendelssohn and Franz Liszt! But to make a long story short, these two men got caught up in the War of the Romantics, just like Brahms and Wagner did. On a more personal note, Liszt once rewrote portions of Mendelssohn’s G-minor piano concerto, which understandably greatly irritated Mendelssohn. They also had an encounter at a salon gathering that could easily have turned into a disaster, when Liszt debuted yet another arrangement that he’d made of one of Mendelssohn’s work, the Capriccio, Op. 5…but Mendelssohn managed to smooth it over by joking afterward and congratulating Liszt on his extraordinary performance.
Stravinsky v. Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky, 1920 © History of Music Facebook Page
Stravinsky and Prokofiev are often mentioned in the same sentence simply because they both were Russian composers, born in 1882 and 1891 respectively. But just like in the case of Ravel and Debussy, that didn’t guarantee they got along.
Although Stravinsky once magnanimously praised Prokofiev’s ballet “Chout” as “the single piece of modern music [he] could listen to with pleasure”, the relationship eventually deteriorated. By the following year, when “Chout” was being run through for a possible revival, Stravinsky started an argument with Prokofiev, telling him he was wasting his time writing opera. The younger man retorted that Stravinsky “was in no position to lay down a general artistic direction” since Stravinsky himself “was not immune to error.”
Prokofiev later described what came next: Stravinsky “became incandescent with rage” and “we almost came to blows and were separated only with difficulty.”
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Last Words and Cause of Death of Famous Composers
0:00 Viderunt Omnes
0:54 King Henry VIII: Pastime With Good Company
2:02 Jean-Baptiste Lully: Armide Overture
3:36 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Disclaimer: This list may not contain all of the composers. The information may also be misleading or not recorded at all, therefore with some of the causes of death being regarded as "unknown".
Monday, August 14, 2023
7 Dynamic YUJA WANG Finales!!
Links to the videos I used:
Johann Strauss II: 
• Yuja Wang plays Tritsch-Tratsch Polka
Rachmaninoff: • Yuja Wang: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto...
Ravel: Video Unavailable
Gershwin: • George Gershwin Piano Concerto in F m...
Tchaikovsky: • Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 - Y...
Bizet: Video Unavailable
Mozart: Video Unavailable
*No copyright infringement intended*
*This video is only for entertainment purpose*
• Yuja Wang plays Tritsch-Tratsch Polka
Rachmaninoff: • Yuja Wang: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto...
Ravel: Video Unavailable
Gershwin: • George Gershwin Piano Concerto in F m...
Tchaikovsky: • Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 - Y...
Bizet: Video Unavailable
Mozart: Video Unavailable
*No copyright infringement intended*
*This video is only for entertainment purpose*Martha Argerich - Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 (2023)
Salawikain (Danny Javier) - APO Hiking Society performs with a symphony orchestra
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Magnus Lindberg - his music and his life
Magnus Lindberg
b. 1958
Magnus Lindberg is one of the most talented European composers of his generation, particularly admired for his orchestral scores * Music is programmed by the world's leading conductors, performing organisations and festivals * Energy, colour and a thrilling density of material are the hallmarks of his recent style, which defines a new classical modernism * Interpreters include Yefim Bronfman, Yuja Wang, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Pekka Kuusisto, Avanti, Ensemble InterContemporain, London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductors Salonen, Saraste, Oramo, Lintu, Franck, Rattle, Heras-Casado and Gilbert * Past composer residencies include New York Philharmonic (2009-12), SWR Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart (2011-12) and London Philharmonic Orchestra (2014-17) * Widely recorded on Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, Finlandia, Ondine and other labels
Works by Magnus Lindberg include:
Feria for orchestra (1997)
Fresco for orchestra (1997)
Clarinet Concerto (2001-02)
Looking Ahead: further performances of new Piano Concerto No.3 by Yuja Wang in Paris (13 Apr), Hamburg (5 May), Rome (11 May) and London (25 May) with conductors Klaus Mäkelä, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla and François-Xavier Roth; Japanese premiere of Absence in Tokyo (14 Oct)
"...one of the major voices of 21st century composition." — The Times
Yuja Wang Astounds with a Spectacular Premiere: Magnus Lindberg's Piano Concerto No. 3
Join us in witnessing a historic musical event as world-renowned pianist Yuja Wang takes the stage for the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's Piano Concerto No. 3. Prepare to be mesmerized by Wang's virtuosity as she collaborates with the composer himself, bringing to life Lindberg's masterpiece in a performance that pushes the boundaries of piano music. Experience the fusion of Wang's unparalleled skill and Lindberg's innovative composition in an unforgettable night of musical brilliance. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the birth of a new concerto performed by one of the finest pianists of our time.
Movie Blockbuster Hits - The Maestro & The European Pop Orchestra
00:00 - 02:28 Pirates of the Caribbean
02:29 - 07:09 Greatest Show
07:10 - 10:59 Love of my Life
11:00 - 15:10 Once Upon A Time In The West
15:11 - 21:31 Miserlou
About Guido Dieteren (The Maestro):
Guido Dieteren (1974) is an orchestra leader, violin soloist, arranger and composer. He grew up in a special musical Limburg (The Netherlands) family. Guido's great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all conductors and with it his great musical examples. At an early age, Guido established his name as a concertmaster and soloist of various orchestras and then continued his career as a conductor, violinist and soloist with his own orchestra. Since then, he has played successful concert tours throughout Europe, China and North America.
During his conservatory study in Maastricht, Guido approached his childhood friend and pop keyboard player Falco Borsboom to compose, arrange and work on a new rousing orchestral production. Guido's Orchestra was born (now known as "The Maestro & The European Pop Orchestra")!
Since then, The Maestro & The European Pop Orchestra has experienced many musical highlights. Together with his orchestra, Maestro Guido has provided concerts all over the world, composed and arranged music for commercials (such as McDonald's, Rabobank, WWF, Dela, and AllSecur), played in several international TV shows, released several gold CDs and DVDs, produced large TV specials in all known world languages and performed live for more than 2.7 million visitors. Guido also collaborated as musical director and was involved artistically with many (inter)national artists such as Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Diana Ross, DJ AfroJack, Simply Red, Caro Emerald, Alessandro Safina, Marco Borsato, Doe Maar, Anouk, Jan Smit, Nick and Simon, Paul de Leeuw and many others.
Guido's heart is not only taken by The Maestro & The European Pop Orchestra and his passion for music. No, he also married the orchestra's solo soprano, Wendy Kokkelkoren, in 2006. After the first concert together, the spark caught on and since then, they have been inseparable. Together with their daughters Emma-Sophie and Annabel, Guido and Wendy form a happy musical family.
Artistic wishlist in the coming years, new TV Specials and songs will be recorded. The Maestro & The European Pop Orchestra wants to perform in many countries, like: United States, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Poland, France, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Philippines, China, Japan, Taiwan.
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