This is my favorite piece on the organ - Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, is a piece of organ music believed to have been composed by Johann Sebastian Bach sometime between 1703 and 1707.
If you make it through the piece - there is just some amazing hand work which boggles the mind!
If you thought that was good - someone is able to play it on wine glasses (by rubbing them with wet fingers)!
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Musical Memories - The Opera
Just because even after 12 years I think my own writing is funny - and I am the author and editor of this blog - I am posting my Sophomore year report on the New York City Opera's performance of Daughter of the Regiment. This was inspired by my last blog on Hilary Hahn.
Now before you read this - you must know that in real life I had seen an Opera before this 1998 paper (we saw Phantom in Toronto), however since classes outside of my Chemical Engineering Major often didn't get too much of my attention - I developed techniques for these "Gen-Eds". If you are taking a class about performance art - pretend you have never seen such a thing before and that the teacher has just opened up a new world for you (then they feel like they are doing their job). That's how you get an "A" in a class you spend almost no time on.
Without further adieu...
Re-reading this after ~12 years my favorite quote is "Where's the Opera?"
Now before you read this - you must know that in real life I had seen an Opera before this 1998 paper (we saw Phantom in Toronto), however since classes outside of my Chemical Engineering Major often didn't get too much of my attention - I developed techniques for these "Gen-Eds". If you are taking a class about performance art - pretend you have never seen such a thing before and that the teacher has just opened up a new world for you (then they feel like they are doing their job). That's how you get an "A" in a class you spend almost no time on.
Without further adieu...
New York City Opera: The Daughter of the Regiment
For lively arts this semester I have seen the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the play Marisol. So after a concert and a play I knew the next thing I would have to see would be an opera. Why not, after a little music, a stage show its about time I saw a singing production. Of course it was to my complete surprise that the New York City Opera was more than just singing, it was practically a concert, a play and tremendous singing all rolled up into one with a little comedy on the side.
The opera began with a sunrise over a small village. There was nobody on stage and only the orchestra to entertain us. It would be difficult not to notice the orchestra because they played for what seemed like an hour but was probably only 10 minutes without anyone taking the stage. My first thought was, “Where’s the Opera?” but the orchestra was actually very good and made the time quite pleasant. Unlike the symphony orchestra though, this orchestra was not the center of attention, and in fact I couldn’t even tell you how large it was for I could not see them. Regardless I was impressed not only with their music but with the way it enhanced the action on stage. I imagined them playing music like you would hear for Tom and Jerry or Mickey Mouse cartoons, it was music for theater not music for listening. The orchestra did a great job and made the opera much more enjoyable than I thought an opera would be.
The opera involved a lot more acting then I imagined an opera would. I mean it was by no means a play, but I guess I thought an opera was a couple of people standing around singing to one another. Of course this was not true. There were often times a huge cast of stage at once acting, running around and singing together. Some of the best scenes involved the entire regiment singing together acting out either a dinner scene or the like. I also had the stereotype that the performers would be in outlandish costumes with spears and helmets with horns. This stereotype, of course, was also not true. The costumes were actually quite normal for a play. I didn’t find them distracting in the least unlike the Viking outfits I had imagined would be used. The opera also had a plot or story and was easy to follow. I imagined people standing around telling a story about what had happened to one another in series after series of monologues. In the daughter of the regiment, the performers interacted and we saw the story take place right before us. My eyes were definitely opened to what an opera really is and how similar it is to a play.
An opera wouldn’t be an opera without singing, and the singing was great. It took some time to get used to how they sang. The entire thing was in French, but I know a little French and that wasn’t the problem. Often times in the beginning I thought maybe they were just singing nonsense words at times. Later when I got used to how they sang I could understand more of the French and follow it a lot better. I was interested to see that for those not fluent in French, and I by no means am one of those people, there was screen above the stage translating the basic idea of what they were saying. When I heard about this I thought it would be distracting, because I hate movies with subtitles. But because the opera involves so much singing I guess, not a lot is said at one time and I found it easy to follow along with the translation but not be distracted. I was still able to enjoy the stage performances and know what was going on.
Finally, the real shock, even more surprising than the fact that I enjoyed the opera, was the fact that it was funny. I never even put the words humor and opera in the same sentence before. This opera was really funny. From the dialogue to the stage jokes, like the sheets of music being thrown around, right down to the silly little houses that made everyone look like giants, the opera was laugh after laugh. I don’t know if this is typical in operas, but it definitely gave me a new vision of what an opera could be. It really is more entertainment than just some people standing around singing. The singing was great and the performers had impressive voices and dynamics, but the opera was a much more complete package of music, theater and humor.
I enjoyed the opera, and although I may still be reluctant to attend one over a baseball game, I now know that it is not only bearable to sit through, but very much enjoyable. There were so many different aspects to performance art that went into the opera that I had never thought of before until I saw the Daughter of the Regiment by the New York City Opera Company.
Re-reading this after ~12 years my favorite quote is "Where's the Opera?"
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Musical Memories - Hilary Hahn
In honor of Dale's concert this weekend - a violin story!
During my Sophomore year at UMass I took a "Gen-Ed" class to fulfill some of the breadth of learning requirements. The class this specific semester was called "The Lively Arts" which required the students to talk about all sorts of performing arts and their backgrounds as well as to attend many of the performances on campus and write some detailed report about the "Arts".
For class I attended (on campus for $5 each):
Here it is today the section of my paper on Hilary Hahn unedited from 12 years ago - any grammatical errors are likely due to the fact that it was a Gen-Ed and didn't command much attention - and the fact that I often don't care about such things.
Besides this is a little better story than my brush with Bud Bundy from Married with Children in an elevator in Vegas. (Side note I also rode in an elevator in the Vernon Manor with Nick Lachey when he was with the band 98 Degrees - "it's not that hot in here" was the joke of the evening).
During my Sophomore year at UMass I took a "Gen-Ed" class to fulfill some of the breadth of learning requirements. The class this specific semester was called "The Lively Arts" which required the students to talk about all sorts of performing arts and their backgrounds as well as to attend many of the performances on campus and write some detailed report about the "Arts".
For class I attended (on campus for $5 each):
- The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
- Gary Louie (Saxophonist)
- Art Farmer (Trumpet)
- The UMass Jazz band
- The New York City Opera: The Daughter of the Regiment
- Stomp
- Tap Dogs
- Twyla Tharp Dance Troupe
- The Play: Marisol by a campus group
- Cynthia Elbaum Art Exhibit (on War)
Here it is today the section of my paper on Hilary Hahn unedited from 12 years ago - any grammatical errors are likely due to the fact that it was a Gen-Ed and didn't command much attention - and the fact that I often don't care about such things.
A Night at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (2/11/98)
I was trying to find my seat in the concert hall, and if it wasn’t bad enough that I was on the even side with an odd numbered seat, the orchestra was tuning and warming up so their chaotic bedlam of sounds was adding to my frustration. But when I was finally settled I noticed the well dressed men in tuxedos and how uniform they looked. The women too were dressed well individually, but there seemed to be no uniform for women, so they were all wearing various black outfits. Two women had their purses hanging over their chairs, while several others sat on cushions and one man had a back rest strapped to his chair. But by the time the warming up was completed, these distractions were forgotten...
...The second piece, Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 19 was in great contrast to the symphonies. First of all, a young, gorgeous violin soloist in a well shaped dress and sparkly blouse came out on stage. She stood out not only in her beauty but in her contrasting age to everyone else in the orchestra. She was "only" 17, but her age has little meaning at this point because she has done and seen more as a musician in her 17 years than I can imagine. She stood in front of the orchestra, a sharp figure in the sea of sitting, motionless adults. She was amazing to watch. She swayed with the music, seemingly oblivious to anyone or anything around her, except for the occasional glance at the conductor. My mind was unable to wander like it had for the symphony, young violin soloist Hilary Hahn demanded my complete attention. She played at a feverish pace, passing melodies back and forth with the orchestra. She displayed her proficiency on the violin very well, utilizing plucking techniques as well as playing two notes at the same time. She stole the show and she knew it. After three or four ovations, she played an encore solo. As she announced the piece, her delicate little voice did not fit her masterful musical performance. She is the type of prodigy you almost feel sorry for because you know she is hated by all the competitive violinists in the orchestra who have dedicated years of their lives to the violin - only to sit there quietly behind the young star.What can I say I call them as I see them. I'd pretty much forgotten about her since - it would be neat to think I saw Hilary Hahn before she became famous but I am pretty sure she was already a recording artist by then. The next year she was nominated for a Grammy: Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra. It is funny now seeing her name all over the place on iTunes to say I saw her when...
Besides this is a little better story than my brush with Bud Bundy from Married with Children in an elevator in Vegas. (Side note I also rode in an elevator in the Vernon Manor with Nick Lachey when he was with the band 98 Degrees - "it's not that hot in here" was the joke of the evening).
Friday, July 23, 2010
Forget the Tour de France!
Many of you know about the epic battle taking place in our Fantasy Tour de France league - however the most epic sporting event taking place this week was the US AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Just like "Le Tour" the US was upset last year when an American lost to a French Air Guitarist in the World Championships! (Thanks Obama....). Well now the US is raising their game in an attempt to claim what is rightfully ours! If any country deserves to be the best at NOT having musical talent - it is the US. Here's the summary from the US Air Guitar Blog!
Friday, July 23, 2010 at 3:04PMHere's the new US Champion at his best: Romeo Dance Cheetah!
Last night at a sold out show in New York City's Irving Plaza (I saw Beyoncé play here once), the Unites States' most elite professional air guitarists competed for the national belt and the opportunity to represent the stars and stripes in the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland.
It was a tight, tight competition, with first round ties for fourth and fifth sending 8 performers into the second round. WILLIAM OCEAN (Andrew Litz, NYC), the 2009 champ, was among them. But the smooth moves of ROMEO DANCECHEETAH (Matt Cornelison, Milwaukee) and DREAMCATCHER (Ryan Layman, Denver) topped the rest and after some serious deliberation celebrity judge JASON JONES (Daily Show) sent the two competitors into a third round air-off.
Like most immortal shit, in the end there can be only one. And that one is ROMEO DANCECHEETAH. Check out our youtube channel for more moving pictures from last night's binge and today's bangover.
Alex Lipsitz, director of the megabrilliant Air Guitar Nation, for some unknown reason agreed to send her crew to film the evening's performances and youtube it before the venue staff had time to kick me out for firing confetti guns all over the place.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Favorite Idol Audition (So Far)
Man, American Idol is pretty cheesy and filled with terrible singers - but every now and then you get a performance like this that combines amazing talent with some musical humor (at least tongue in cheek) and it's a memorable song!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
My Favorite Lady Gaga Performances
WHAT!?!? Can someone like me even like Lady Gaga? Yes. Of course - it isn't easy for modern music to catch my attention, between oldies music and talk radio I often don't pay attention to pop music. In fact - when I first heard Lady Gaga (on you tube maybe? or SNL?) I asked Meghan if she knew who she was and of course found out that she had been a star for a while before I had heard of her. Though, I guess she really only hit it big in the past year or so.
So why would I like Lady Gaga. No - it's not because people think she is attractive or a sex symbol - and no, not because she is shocking in performances or costumes. I think I first found a special place for Lady Gaga when I saw her sitting on a piano playing a song that was so captivating for her musical talent as well as her singing. Some of those videos are below. I also love how she was just a girl in college just a few years ago playing in a talent show (video below as well) - and now she is a global star. I also like how she was signed and then dropped by her first record label but continued to sing and do her thing and now she's "made it".
I also like that her songs have stories and her music videos are complicated in telling a story. I don't care that she is shocking or polarizing - I think she will be around for a while because she is musically talented and writes her own songs. I think the lip syncing Britney Spears types are flashes in the pan compared to someone who is really connected to and writing what they are singing.
I guess I am writing this blog because more and more I talk to people who like Lady Gaga or at least find her songs hard to get out of their head - but don't realize just how talented she is. OK - on with the videos.
This is one that demonstrates her talent on a piano. (Paparrazzi)
Here she is on the Ellen show. I like again how she starts with an intimate piano sitting but then goes "music video" on you. (Bad Romance)
This is just a great song to show off her singing ability. It is again from Ellen - what a musical guest! (Speechless)
By now you probably get her weird costume theme - so this is a funny skit from SNL where she is wearing a costume she has performed in before. The SNL writers are pretty funny.
Here's Lady Gaga before she became "Lady Gaga". This is a talent show when she was at NYU - apparently she came in 3rd - but became a star! Her second song is the best.
Here she is again playing for that radio station on the piano. (Poker Face)
So why would I like Lady Gaga. No - it's not because people think she is attractive or a sex symbol - and no, not because she is shocking in performances or costumes. I think I first found a special place for Lady Gaga when I saw her sitting on a piano playing a song that was so captivating for her musical talent as well as her singing. Some of those videos are below. I also love how she was just a girl in college just a few years ago playing in a talent show (video below as well) - and now she is a global star. I also like how she was signed and then dropped by her first record label but continued to sing and do her thing and now she's "made it".
I also like that her songs have stories and her music videos are complicated in telling a story. I don't care that she is shocking or polarizing - I think she will be around for a while because she is musically talented and writes her own songs. I think the lip syncing Britney Spears types are flashes in the pan compared to someone who is really connected to and writing what they are singing.
I guess I am writing this blog because more and more I talk to people who like Lady Gaga or at least find her songs hard to get out of their head - but don't realize just how talented she is. OK - on with the videos.
This is one that demonstrates her talent on a piano. (Paparrazzi)
Here she is on the Ellen show. I like again how she starts with an intimate piano sitting but then goes "music video" on you. (Bad Romance)
This is just a great song to show off her singing ability. It is again from Ellen - what a musical guest! (Speechless)
By now you probably get her weird costume theme - so this is a funny skit from SNL where she is wearing a costume she has performed in before. The SNL writers are pretty funny.
Here's Lady Gaga before she became "Lady Gaga". This is a talent show when she was at NYU - apparently she came in 3rd - but became a star! Her second song is the best.
Here she is again playing for that radio station on the piano. (Poker Face)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Love This Guy and Many More Creative People
This guy combines like 5 of my favorite things:
1) Playing a duet or trio all by yourself
2) Split screen video
3) The comedic value of his appearance and the fact that he seems to specialize in Lady Gaga and Britney Spears songs!
4) Juxtaposing the violin with modern pop music
5) Musical humor!
This video was also featured in a commercial for the Grammy Awards
The only way this could be better is if someone played Lady Gaga on a Ukulele
Who could Lady Gaga possibly inspire next?
Meghan tells me that no one likes to watch videos I paste in my blog (especially long TED.com ones) - so if you've made it this far I am going to reward you with blog humor and bring this entry back full circle!
Where could I go after the A Capella version of poker face? how about a one man A Capella group!
(I'm taking a bow for this blog performance - even if no one is applauding!)
My Encore will be this one - since Dave and I played the Trumpet and Trombone - this is a riot:
1) Playing a duet or trio all by yourself
2) Split screen video
3) The comedic value of his appearance and the fact that he seems to specialize in Lady Gaga and Britney Spears songs!
4) Juxtaposing the violin with modern pop music
5) Musical humor!
This video was also featured in a commercial for the Grammy Awards
The only way this could be better is if someone played Lady Gaga on a Ukulele
Who could Lady Gaga possibly inspire next?
Meghan tells me that no one likes to watch videos I paste in my blog (especially long TED.com ones) - so if you've made it this far I am going to reward you with blog humor and bring this entry back full circle!
Where could I go after the A Capella version of poker face? how about a one man A Capella group!
(I'm taking a bow for this blog performance - even if no one is applauding!)
My Encore will be this one - since Dave and I played the Trumpet and Trombone - this is a riot:
Monday, December 22, 2008
Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes
I first saw Ben Zander at a P&G event - and over the course of 3 hours or so he covered everything from leadership skills to how everything is possible. His book is titled "The Art of Possibility" and it is an amazing read. Here is a short excerpt I found on youtube of one of his speeches - this is an neat exercise about taking something that is not that popular today (like classical music) and demonstrating the connections we all can have to it.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dance Crew: JabbaWockeeZ Performances
Here are some of the performances I was looking for last time from the Winners of ABDC Season #1. At lunch I heard the 1st song and thought to myself, "Why do I recognize this Timbaland Song?"
Friday, July 11, 2008
You down with ABDC?
OK - so Americas Best Dance Crew (ABDC) is awesome, or as Randy Jackson would say - it's hot! I am enjoying it more than American Idol.
What I like about the show is that it has a lot of creative and talented dancers with some amazing acrobatic ability breaking it down on the stage. It also has a hodge-podge of judges that I am not always sure I understand what they are saying because they use hip-hop dance slang which is awesome. It also has Mario Lopez and plenty of opportunity to make fun of how cheesy some of the stuff is (like audience members flashing "gang-sign" like gestures for their favorite "crew".
I think the combination of true art and talent with laughable cheesy stuff is what makes ABDC a must see on MTV at 10pm on Thursdays.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Has Anyone Ever...
This might be my best blog to date. Has anyone ever...
- Listened to all 8 minutes of "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
- Seriously listened to "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (with out it being a joke?)
- Listened long enough to "Final Countdown" by Europe to hear the words?
- Watched the video to "When The Children Cry" by White Lion WITHOUT feeling uncomfortable?
- Watched the video to "Mother" by Danzig and taken him seriously?
- Recently watched an entire episode of night court?
If you have done all of these things, your name is probably Jay Williams!
- Listened to all 8 minutes of "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
- Seriously listened to "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (with out it being a joke?)
- Listened long enough to "Final Countdown" by Europe to hear the words?
- Watched the video to "When The Children Cry" by White Lion WITHOUT feeling uncomfortable?
- Watched the video to "Mother" by Danzig and taken him seriously?
- Recently watched an entire episode of night court?
If you have done all of these things, your name is probably Jay Williams!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Stop and Hear the Music!
Have you heard the cliche "stop and smell the roses?" I was never one to smell many flowers, having allergies and all. But I have stumbled upon a great story that will coin the phrase "stop and hear the music!"
Are we all too busy and self-involved? What are we running around for, aren't we busily passing the wonders of the world around us? I think these were the questions the Washington Post was trying to answer.
What happens when you take:
1) A world famous violinist who makes $1,000 per minute when performing
2) Put him in a busy subway dressed as a street performer
3) Have him play 43 minutes of the word's most amazing classical music on his $3.5 million dollar violin.
When 1,070 people will pass this performance what do you think will happen? Will crowds gather? Will they delay their commutes for a once in a life time treat? How much money will the musician make?
The sad answers are $32.17 and very few people seemed to care (only 7 people stopped for more than 1 minute).
The whole experiment was video taped and there is an excerpt in the article. While the article is long I recommend it, it's a great read especially to hear how the world famous musician Joshua Bell felt when a song would end and no one applauded. I guess people had something more important to do that hour with their lives (sarcasm). You could of course make an arguemnt about people not recognizing the "opportunity" presented to them (shout out to Kenny) but really isn't that the point, we are moving too fast to recognize all the potential around us. I know one fellow blogger who might have been on her blackberry the whole time :)
On many occasions while out for a walk, Shelby and I stop and watch the squirrels. It's a start!
Stop and hear the music!
It's painful to watch.
Here is the full article
Pearls Before Breakfast: Can one of the nation's great musicians cut through the fog of a D.C. rush hour?
Also here is a link to the entire performance in the subway (audio only)
At the 14th minute there is a great version of Ave Maria
Are we all too busy and self-involved? What are we running around for, aren't we busily passing the wonders of the world around us? I think these were the questions the Washington Post was trying to answer.
What happens when you take:
1) A world famous violinist who makes $1,000 per minute when performing
2) Put him in a busy subway dressed as a street performer
3) Have him play 43 minutes of the word's most amazing classical music on his $3.5 million dollar violin.
When 1,070 people will pass this performance what do you think will happen? Will crowds gather? Will they delay their commutes for a once in a life time treat? How much money will the musician make?
The sad answers are $32.17 and very few people seemed to care (only 7 people stopped for more than 1 minute).
The whole experiment was video taped and there is an excerpt in the article. While the article is long I recommend it, it's a great read especially to hear how the world famous musician Joshua Bell felt when a song would end and no one applauded. I guess people had something more important to do that hour with their lives (sarcasm). You could of course make an arguemnt about people not recognizing the "opportunity" presented to them (shout out to Kenny) but really isn't that the point, we are moving too fast to recognize all the potential around us. I know one fellow blogger who might have been on her blackberry the whole time :)
On many occasions while out for a walk, Shelby and I stop and watch the squirrels. It's a start!
Stop and hear the music!
It's painful to watch.
Here is the full article
Pearls Before Breakfast: Can one of the nation's great musicians cut through the fog of a D.C. rush hour?
Also here is a link to the entire performance in the subway (audio only)
At the 14th minute there is a great version of Ave Maria
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Music Talent Night Preparations
After last years very successful "Stand Up Comedy Night" I am making preparations for "Music Talent Night". As you may know a group of my friends got together and created our own stand up comedy routines (all original content). It far exceeded my expectations in the quality of the routines and I think everyone had a great time.
Well next is Music Talent Night. In preparation I will probably have to get back into shape to play something on the trumpet, but I have also ordered 5 recorders for a couple of group routines.
Having a decent musical background (combined with the fact that my class learned to play the recorder in 2nd grade) I was SHOCKED to find out that the recorder can play every note (including sharps and flats) for 3 octaves! It's a real musical instrument, not a toy. Which is pretty amazing considering they retail for $4.99, BTW - the recorders these days are translucent and come in blue, red, green, etc. You can also buy a tenor and bass recorder but they get pricey! I'll let you know more as we get closer to Music Talent Night this summer (we need a few months to prepare our acts!)
BTW - I believe we have someone who can play the saw as an instrument! Better put a hole in that wash tub (for a string bass!).
Well next is Music Talent Night. In preparation I will probably have to get back into shape to play something on the trumpet, but I have also ordered 5 recorders for a couple of group routines.
Having a decent musical background (combined with the fact that my class learned to play the recorder in 2nd grade) I was SHOCKED to find out that the recorder can play every note (including sharps and flats) for 3 octaves! It's a real musical instrument, not a toy. Which is pretty amazing considering they retail for $4.99, BTW - the recorders these days are translucent and come in blue, red, green, etc. You can also buy a tenor and bass recorder but they get pricey! I'll let you know more as we get closer to Music Talent Night this summer (we need a few months to prepare our acts!)
BTW - I believe we have someone who can play the saw as an instrument! Better put a hole in that wash tub (for a string bass!).
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