fourth movement
finally started the sanctus of my Requiem Mass. Dminor/Fmajor/Aminor lots of unisons. Chant-like. Call me, Maurice Durufle.
May 22, 2012
30 notes
The Not-So-Modern Failures of the Opera
Jennifer Wright wrote a HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL piece about the state of opera.
I have a lot to say about this, but I think I can sum it up by saying that Ms Wright has a problematically narrow worldview. I’ll add that (although this is likely because I’m an undergraduate music student) that my exposure to opera as an art form and as a tool for sociopolilitcal commentairy has come in a decidedly young and sexy package.
Ein Lamplein verlosch in meinem Zelt
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Sorry about my lack of posting (because I’m sure my blog’s weeklong absence has been sorely felt by a wide population) but I’ve been busy learning this. Still trying to wrap my head around it. Hindemith writes music that does not ascribe to geometric shapes. Like an optical illusion you stare until eventually you get it, at which point it is burned into your psyche. Not sure where I’m at yet with this movement.
P. Hindemith. Clarinet Sonata I. Mäßig Bewegt
John Bruce Yeh, Clarinet
Easley Blackwood, Piano.
April 23, 2012
16 notes
Ravel and Stravinsky. That’s all.
April 15, 2012
7 notes
One can never own too many versions of Dvorak’s Symphony No.9.
Homeboy knows what’s up.
Rimsky-Korsakov. Scheherazade.
Basically there’s this Sultan who thinks all women are unfaithful and kills his wives after one night. (Preventative medicine maybe?) But his newest wife, Scheherazade, is pretty fond of not being dead and also happens to be an incredible storyteller. She manages to keep telling stories for 1,001 nights (because Arabic nobility can go FOREVER without sleeping).
Epic. Epic. Epic. Everybody’s doing Cadenzas all over the place. The listener is put in the position of the Sultan as Rimsky-Korsakov uses gorgeous, winding melodies to keep the tales spinning forward. Scheherazade is represented by the solo violin (d’uh).
Enjoy! I have to write an essay about this piece now. I just love music school!
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
John Taverner.Dum Transisset Sabbatum.
And when the Sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome
had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning, the first day of the week,
they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
