Online References:
http://opera.stanford.edu/Britten/bio.html
http://www.leonardbernstein.com/composer.htm
http://www.gustavholst.info/biography/index.php?chapter=1
Texts:
Kun, Josh. Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America. California: University of California Press, 2005. Print.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Journey of a Classical Musician Across Time and Space
As an avid classical violinist, I've devoted this blog to the study of classical music and the variations that occur within the genre due to geography and time. I know many people view classical music as purely Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. However, my blog excludes these composers to show the reader the diversity of sounds that have been composed throughout history. Starting with my personal auditopia, I will transcend borders and place myself in the shoes of a twenty-one-year old classical musician in Europe in the year 1925. The differences between my personal soundscape and the European's will be vastly different. Eventually, I conclude my blog from the perspective of an American musician in the year 1950. This playlist represents a combination of my identity as an American, but it also finds the middle ground in terms of time between 2010 and the early 20th century. Be mindful of the changes in tonality across time, and the melodies of the United States versus Europe.
The Playlist of a Classical Musician in New York in 1950 - Playlist III
"Porgy and Bess: Suite," Kurt Masur, Leizpeg Gewandhous Orchestra. Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc., Berlin Classics, 8543, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbh1BrDE2ac (04/06/2010).
"Holst: The Planets," Gustav Holst, London Symphony Orchestra. Holst Conducts Holst, Pearl Records, 9417, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M (04/05/2010).
"The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra," Steuart Bedford, London Symphony Orchestra. British Orchestral Collection, Naxos, 8502502, 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR9nDnyIhAU (04/05/2010).
"Gerswhin Concerto in F," Seiji Ozawa, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. A Gershwin Night, Euroarts, 2053098, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwEnyz7iWGg (04/06/2010).
"Ives: Symphony No. 2," Michael Tilson Thomas, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Ives: Symphonies No. 2 & 3, Sony Classical, 46440, 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbH5ruC-R5E (04/06/2010).
"Barber Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Hilary Hahn, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Barber & Meyer Violin Concertos, Sony Classical, 89029, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCj8Gg4h1Wk (04/05/2010).
"Rhapsody in Blue," George Gershwin, Columbia Jazz Band. Classic Gershwin, CBS Masterworks, 42516, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U40xBSz6Dc (04/05/2010).
"Barber: Adagio for Strings," Leonard Slatkin, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Barber: Adagio for Strings, EMI Classics, 74287, 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g (04/07/2010).
"Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra," Zubin Mehta, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, Euroarts, 2072248, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9bIoYvdMtE (04/06/2010).
"Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqah1rucyRg (04/06/2010).
"Billy the Kid: Suite," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdfPbHmEY4w (04/05/2010).
"Kreisler: Preludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani," Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders. Gemini - Encores, EMI Classics, 50879, 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeETRRsj1Ek (04/07/2010).
"Shostakovich Symphony No. 5," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Shostakovich Symphonies No. 5 & 9, Sony Classical, 61841, 1999. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogJFXqYEYd8 (04/06/2010).
"Ives: Contemplation: The Unanswered Question," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Ives: The Unanswered Question, Sony Classical, 60203, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trkFgIMC-Ks (04/07/2010).
"Appalachian Spring," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxDSiVELKk (04/06/2010).
Returning to the United States in 1950 places a musician in an entirely different environment. European music becomes less a part of the classical tradition as phenomenal composers such as George Gershwin emerge from New York City. My playlist opens with a staple of American music, "Porgy and Bess," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbh1BrDE2ac to reacquaint the listener to the sounds of an American composer. However, influences from abroad cannot be easily ignored as the music of Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten have a powerful influence on the world at this time. Britten's piece, "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR9nDnyIhAU, spurred a wave of education across the world about the orchestral ensemble. It motivated students in America to learn the violin or the flute, and to join a local orchestra to make music. Holst created a piece of music called, "The Planets," that had never had any predecessor of its magnitude before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M. This piece activated the minds of young people to think about the supernatural world and to conceptualize the universe through sound. It made the music seem bigger than just the immediate concert hall it filled.
Gershwin continued to pump out catchy tunes such as, "Rhapsody in Blue," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U40xBSz6Dc, to the appeal of audiences worldwide. At the same time however, a man of opposite proportions, Charles Ives, composed his Second Symphony to the dumbfoundedness of American audiences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbH5ruC-R5E.
To a musician in 1950, new music was exciting because it provided an alternative to the overplayed melodies of Beethoven and Brahms. Even more exciting, was the dawn of true classical American music. Aaron Copland's, "Rodeo," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqah1rucyRg, gave a sound to his listener's that was distinctly American. As did his famous, "Appalachian Spring." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxDSiVELKk.
However, classical music is an all encompassing category that should not strive to distinguish melodies from each other, but should combine the elements that have already been written. As Kun addresses in Audiotopia, there has been a tendency to intially separate American music by racial lines. However, I believe the pure instrumental aspect of classical music has shaped the progress of uniting rather than dividing the American people. "Appalachian Spring," is a melody that anyone can relate to in the US. It does not matter if you are white, Black, or Asian; all that matters is your sense of national identity.
This playlist reflects a America's adaptation of classical music towards a distinct, separate entity from European sound. However, I believe each European melody has heavily influenced the development of American classical music. The combination of my three playlists is designed to exemplify how oceans separate the soundscapes of musicians. Yet, a Brahms concerto can be an equal part of an American's audiotopia, as can a Gershwin rhapsody be part of an Austrian's soundscape. Classical music's adaptations over time has led to more nationalistic or contentinally geared music, but it still enables listeners to embrace all forms of classical music and design for themselves their own playlist.
"Holst: The Planets," Gustav Holst, London Symphony Orchestra. Holst Conducts Holst, Pearl Records, 9417, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M (04/05/2010).
"The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra," Steuart Bedford, London Symphony Orchestra. British Orchestral Collection, Naxos, 8502502, 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR9nDnyIhAU (04/05/2010).
"Gerswhin Concerto in F," Seiji Ozawa, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. A Gershwin Night, Euroarts, 2053098, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwEnyz7iWGg (04/06/2010).
"Ives: Symphony No. 2," Michael Tilson Thomas, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Ives: Symphonies No. 2 & 3, Sony Classical, 46440, 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbH5ruC-R5E (04/06/2010).
"Barber Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Hilary Hahn, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Barber & Meyer Violin Concertos, Sony Classical, 89029, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCj8Gg4h1Wk (04/05/2010).
"Rhapsody in Blue," George Gershwin, Columbia Jazz Band. Classic Gershwin, CBS Masterworks, 42516, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U40xBSz6Dc (04/05/2010).
"Barber: Adagio for Strings," Leonard Slatkin, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Barber: Adagio for Strings, EMI Classics, 74287, 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g (04/07/2010).
"Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra," Zubin Mehta, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, Euroarts, 2072248, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9bIoYvdMtE (04/06/2010).
"Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqah1rucyRg (04/06/2010).
"Billy the Kid: Suite," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdfPbHmEY4w (04/05/2010).
"Kreisler: Preludium and Allegro in the Style of Pugnani," Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders. Gemini - Encores, EMI Classics, 50879, 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeETRRsj1Ek (04/07/2010).
"Shostakovich Symphony No. 5," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Shostakovich Symphonies No. 5 & 9, Sony Classical, 61841, 1999. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogJFXqYEYd8 (04/06/2010).
"Ives: Contemplation: The Unanswered Question," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Ives: The Unanswered Question, Sony Classical, 60203, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trkFgIMC-Ks (04/07/2010).
"Appalachian Spring," Aaron Copland, London Symphony Orchestra. Copland Conducts Copland, Sony Classical, 89041, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxDSiVELKk (04/06/2010).
Returning to the United States in 1950 places a musician in an entirely different environment. European music becomes less a part of the classical tradition as phenomenal composers such as George Gershwin emerge from New York City. My playlist opens with a staple of American music, "Porgy and Bess," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbh1BrDE2ac to reacquaint the listener to the sounds of an American composer. However, influences from abroad cannot be easily ignored as the music of Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten have a powerful influence on the world at this time. Britten's piece, "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR9nDnyIhAU, spurred a wave of education across the world about the orchestral ensemble. It motivated students in America to learn the violin or the flute, and to join a local orchestra to make music. Holst created a piece of music called, "The Planets," that had never had any predecessor of its magnitude before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M. This piece activated the minds of young people to think about the supernatural world and to conceptualize the universe through sound. It made the music seem bigger than just the immediate concert hall it filled.
Gershwin continued to pump out catchy tunes such as, "Rhapsody in Blue," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U40xBSz6Dc, to the appeal of audiences worldwide. At the same time however, a man of opposite proportions, Charles Ives, composed his Second Symphony to the dumbfoundedness of American audiences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbH5ruC-R5E.
To a musician in 1950, new music was exciting because it provided an alternative to the overplayed melodies of Beethoven and Brahms. Even more exciting, was the dawn of true classical American music. Aaron Copland's, "Rodeo," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqah1rucyRg, gave a sound to his listener's that was distinctly American. As did his famous, "Appalachian Spring." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRxDSiVELKk.
However, classical music is an all encompassing category that should not strive to distinguish melodies from each other, but should combine the elements that have already been written. As Kun addresses in Audiotopia, there has been a tendency to intially separate American music by racial lines. However, I believe the pure instrumental aspect of classical music has shaped the progress of uniting rather than dividing the American people. "Appalachian Spring," is a melody that anyone can relate to in the US. It does not matter if you are white, Black, or Asian; all that matters is your sense of national identity.
This playlist reflects a America's adaptation of classical music towards a distinct, separate entity from European sound. However, I believe each European melody has heavily influenced the development of American classical music. The combination of my three playlists is designed to exemplify how oceans separate the soundscapes of musicians. Yet, a Brahms concerto can be an equal part of an American's audiotopia, as can a Gershwin rhapsody be part of an Austrian's soundscape. Classical music's adaptations over time has led to more nationalistic or contentinally geared music, but it still enables listeners to embrace all forms of classical music and design for themselves their own playlist.
The Playlist of a European Musician in 1925 - Playlist II
"Vitali Chaconne in G minor," Sarah Chang, English Chamber Orchestra. Sweet Sorrow, EMI Classics, 56791, 1999. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlcca97wow4&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"Mendelssohn Octet," Emerson String Quartet. Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets, Deutsche Grammaphon, 000388802, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNCNX8MDgHk&feature=related (04/05/2010).
"La Mer," Michael Tilson Thomas, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Debussy: La Mer, Universal Records, 000054902, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRSTRwGUSY (04/06/2010).
"Bolero," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Debussy: La Mer, Ravel: Bolero, EMI Classics, 64357, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsCw4i0S-U (04/04/2010).
"Pomp and Circumstance, No. 1," Leonard Bernstein, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Elgar: Enigma Variations, Deutsche Grammaphon, 413490, 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxqFdcZz974 (04/05/2010).
"Brahms Symphony No. 1, Finale," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Brahms: The Complete Symphonies, Deutsche Grammaphon, 453097, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZXE5FoJz_I (04/05/2010).
"Sibelius Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Jascha Heifetz, Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Jascha Heifetz - The Supreme, RCA Victor Red Seal, 63470, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVeTY_1aLE (04/05/2010).
"Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Henryk Szeryng, London Symphony Orchestra. Schumann & Mendelssohn Violin Concertos, Mercury Living Presence, 434339, 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0aZt5vgFHE&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"Clair de lune," Sviatoslav Richter. Salzburg Recital 1977, Orfeo D'or, 491981, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GevlC4Glog (04/06/2010).
"Chopin Ballade No. 1," Krystian Zimmerman. 4 Balladen, Deutsche Grammaphon, 423090, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7eUSFsn28 (04/06/2010).
"Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2," Evgeny Kissin, London Symphony Orchestra. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, RCA Victor Red Seal, 57982, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ud_wGMXRnQ&feature=related (04/05/2010).
"Liebestraume," Daniel Barenboim. Love's Dream: Romantic Piano Music, Deutsche Grammaphon, 4777524, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4XEPdYO5mM (04/05/2010).
"Grieg Concerto for Piano in A minor, Mvt. 1," Artur Rubenstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Artur Rubenstein: Piano Greatest Hits, RCA, 62662, 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxzpy1b1_BY (04/05/2010).
"Overture to Romeo and Juliet," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No. 4 - 6, etc., Deutsche Grammaphon, 000958502, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBf1O4Mbieo&feature=fvw (04/06/2010).
"Dvorak New World Symphony No. 9," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Dvorak: Symphonies No. 8 & 9, EMI Classics, 64325, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILEsEK-JkJI&feature=related (04/06/2010).
The geographical difference is dramatically felt here within this playlist. Each piece is unique to Europe, however, none of them sound similar. I imagine the ear of a musician in 1925 to be drawn towards the incorporation historical sounds into a modern auditotopia.
Beginning with Tomasso Vitali's "Chaconne," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlcca97wow4&feature=related, the playlist is catalyzed back into the sounds of the baroque era. However, there is a romantic quality to the composition that can be heard through the passionate playing of Sarah Chang, a thirty-year old violinist. Vitali reminds me of Bach's melodic structures, yet he hints at a more modern sound, shown by Brahm's First Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZXE5FoJz_I.
As a musician in 1925, everything in classical music seems to be based upon expression. There are qualities within the music that heed to a romantic yet mysterious soundscape. The Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, demonstrates this fiery, expressive tonality through his Violin Concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVeTY_1aLE .
His composition, as well as Debussy's, "Clair de lune" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GevlC4Glog, are filled with moments of interpretation, in which the listener can decide for him or herself, what to take away from the music.
With great expression comes soloistic music. The epitomy of soloistic compositions is "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsCw4i0S-U. The music celebrates the individual musician, and this theme permeates the concertos of Felix Mendelssohn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0aZt5vgFHE&feature=related), Eduard Grieg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxzpy1b1_BY), and Sergei Rachmaninoff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ud_wGMXRnQ&feature=related).
My thoughts on the soundscape of a young, European musician at this time, conclude with Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILEsEK-JkJI&feature=related. This masterpiece depicts the composers impressions of America in the 1890s upon a visit to the US. In the same way George Gershwin took his experiences abroad and expressed his American identity through sound, Dvorak displays his Czech heritage through a completely unique lens of a European in America.
"Mendelssohn Octet," Emerson String Quartet. Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets, Deutsche Grammaphon, 000388802, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNCNX8MDgHk&feature=related (04/05/2010).
"La Mer," Michael Tilson Thomas, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Debussy: La Mer, Universal Records, 000054902, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRSTRwGUSY (04/06/2010).
"Bolero," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Debussy: La Mer, Ravel: Bolero, EMI Classics, 64357, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsCw4i0S-U (04/04/2010).
"Pomp and Circumstance, No. 1," Leonard Bernstein, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Elgar: Enigma Variations, Deutsche Grammaphon, 413490, 2001. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxqFdcZz974 (04/05/2010).
"Brahms Symphony No. 1, Finale," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Brahms: The Complete Symphonies, Deutsche Grammaphon, 453097, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZXE5FoJz_I (04/05/2010).
"Sibelius Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Jascha Heifetz, Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Jascha Heifetz - The Supreme, RCA Victor Red Seal, 63470, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVeTY_1aLE (04/05/2010).
"Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Mvt. 1," Henryk Szeryng, London Symphony Orchestra. Schumann & Mendelssohn Violin Concertos, Mercury Living Presence, 434339, 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0aZt5vgFHE&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"Clair de lune," Sviatoslav Richter. Salzburg Recital 1977, Orfeo D'or, 491981, 1998. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GevlC4Glog (04/06/2010).
"Chopin Ballade No. 1," Krystian Zimmerman. 4 Balladen, Deutsche Grammaphon, 423090, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7eUSFsn28 (04/06/2010).
"Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2," Evgeny Kissin, London Symphony Orchestra. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, RCA Victor Red Seal, 57982, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ud_wGMXRnQ&feature=related (04/05/2010).
"Liebestraume," Daniel Barenboim. Love's Dream: Romantic Piano Music, Deutsche Grammaphon, 4777524, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4XEPdYO5mM (04/05/2010).
"Grieg Concerto for Piano in A minor, Mvt. 1," Artur Rubenstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Artur Rubenstein: Piano Greatest Hits, RCA, 62662, 1994. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxzpy1b1_BY (04/05/2010).
"Overture to Romeo and Juliet," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No. 4 - 6, etc., Deutsche Grammaphon, 000958502, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBf1O4Mbieo&feature=fvw (04/06/2010).
"Dvorak New World Symphony No. 9," Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Dvorak: Symphonies No. 8 & 9, EMI Classics, 64325, 1993. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILEsEK-JkJI&feature=related (04/06/2010).
The geographical difference is dramatically felt here within this playlist. Each piece is unique to Europe, however, none of them sound similar. I imagine the ear of a musician in 1925 to be drawn towards the incorporation historical sounds into a modern auditotopia.
Beginning with Tomasso Vitali's "Chaconne," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlcca97wow4&feature=related, the playlist is catalyzed back into the sounds of the baroque era. However, there is a romantic quality to the composition that can be heard through the passionate playing of Sarah Chang, a thirty-year old violinist. Vitali reminds me of Bach's melodic structures, yet he hints at a more modern sound, shown by Brahm's First Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZXE5FoJz_I.
As a musician in 1925, everything in classical music seems to be based upon expression. There are qualities within the music that heed to a romantic yet mysterious soundscape. The Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, demonstrates this fiery, expressive tonality through his Violin Concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVeTY_1aLE .
His composition, as well as Debussy's, "Clair de lune" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GevlC4Glog, are filled with moments of interpretation, in which the listener can decide for him or herself, what to take away from the music.
With great expression comes soloistic music. The epitomy of soloistic compositions is "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggsCw4i0S-U. The music celebrates the individual musician, and this theme permeates the concertos of Felix Mendelssohn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0aZt5vgFHE&feature=related), Eduard Grieg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxzpy1b1_BY), and Sergei Rachmaninoff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ud_wGMXRnQ&feature=related).
My thoughts on the soundscape of a young, European musician at this time, conclude with Antonin Dvorak's "New World Symphony." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILEsEK-JkJI&feature=related. This masterpiece depicts the composers impressions of America in the 1890s upon a visit to the US. In the same way George Gershwin took his experiences abroad and expressed his American identity through sound, Dvorak displays his Czech heritage through a completely unique lens of a European in America.
My Life as a Classical Musician - Playlist I
“Nimrod,” Sir Malcolm Sargaent, London Symphony Orchestra. Sargaent’s Enigma, Audiovisuel Beulah, 2PD13, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fn2R6Hx30 (04/06/2010)
"Paganini Caprice No. 5," Shlomo Mintz. Paganini Caprices, DG Records, 1984. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amfCqFUMBkY (04/06/2010).
“Salut d’amour,” Midori Goto. Encore!, Sony Classical, 52568, 1992. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKDAy3J8s4 (04/05/2010)
“O mio babbino caro,” Joshua Bell. Romance of the Violin. Sony Classical, 87894, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ja-c1fsZd0 (04/06/2010)
“Franck Sonata, Mvt. 4,” Jacqueline du Pre, Brahms, Chopin, & Franck Cello Sonatas, EMI Classics, UPC: 724358623321, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj_9OvG9pj4 (04/05/2010)
"Elgar Cello Concerto, Mvt. 1," Yo-Yo Ma, London Symphony Orchestra. Elgar and Walton Cello Concertos, CBS Masterworks, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9DPfp7-Ck&feature=related (04/06/2010)
"Mahler Symphony No. 2, Finale," Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Mahler Symphony No. 2, EMI Records, CDS7479628, 1987. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HpWDQsNJ3k (04/06/2010)
"Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Mvt. 1," Mstislav Rostropovich (Cello), David Oistrakh (Violin). Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Brahms: Double Concerto, EMI Classics, 566902, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WkGJbwSdM&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"An American in Paris," Leonard Berstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven: Symphony No. 7; Gershwin: An American in Paris, 6556, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUfI6v6SwL4 (04/06/2010).
"Gershwin's Cuban Overture," Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra. George Gershwin, EMI Classics, 06628, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nXcoWmTL5Q&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"Rounds for String Orchestra," Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony Orchestra. David Diamond, Delos Records, 1996. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16vw0UxBjs (04/06/2010).
"Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8," Kopelman Quartet. Shostakovich and Miaskovsky String Quartets, Nimbus Records, 0710357582721, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSoKpCXWF0Q (04/06/2010).
"Overture to Candide," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Bernstein's Candide, Sony Classical, 63085, 1997. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8&feature=fvw (04/07/2010).
“Gabriel’s Oboe,” Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone, Sony Classical, 93456, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jSotUeV0WI (04/05/2010)
"Short Ride in a Fast Machine," Marin Alsop, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, John Adams: Shaker Loops, Naxos American, 8.559031, 2004. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDhRQDwTDJE&feature=related (04/05/2010).
My appreciation for classical music abounds from my admiration of classical sound. The composers and musicians in this playlist range from the supreme father of early American jazz, George Gershwin, to the master of the symphony, Johannes Brahms. Each one of these pieces has had a profound impact on my life over a span of seventeen years.
Each piece is arranged chronologically in terms of history. Starting with the lucious melodies of Sir Edward Elgar's "Nimrod," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fn2R6Hx30, there is a distinctly classical beauty to the orchestral score that makes this piece one of the most captivating yet shortest orchestral compositions. To me, it shows that the composer is in so much control of his abilities that he doesn't need forty-five minutes to capture the heart of an audience.
The five songs following "Nimrod," demonstrate the versatility of individual instruments. Shlomo Mintz shows me his complete command of the violin through Paganini's Fifth Violin Caprice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fn2R6Hx30. But such technical difficulty does not diminish the power and beauty of Elgar's piece, "Salut d'amour." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKDAy3J8s4.
There is nothing more powerful however than the sound of 150 voices combined with a full orchestra, as exemplified in the "Finale" of Mahler's Second Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HpWDQsNJ3k. Mahler is a definitive example of the mastery of the symphonic form, but I also admire the uniquely American sound of Gershwin's, "An American in Paris." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUfI6v6SwL4.
As shown by the titles of Gershwin's two compositions, his music was heavily influenced by both European and Latin cultures. What he does however, is takes his life experiences abroad, and adapts them to form an American sound. This trickles down into the music of Leonard Bernstein, as his "Overture to Candide," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8&feature=fvw demonstrates a sound unheard of in Europe, yet embraced by the US.
I included the music of David Diamond http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16vw0UxBjs, because he was my personal composition mentor for three years before his death in 2005. His music may not be included in the soundscapes of others, but he individually crafted my development as a musician. Equally influential was my violin teacher, Mikhail Kopelman, as shown in his performance of Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSoKpCXWF0Q. My personal audiotopia is distinctive to myself, yet it has been molded over time by master musicians, for which I am very grateful.
My playlist concludes with two uniquely modern pieces. The first is the critically acclaimed piece, "Gabriel's Oboe," of Ennio Morricone's masterful film score to "The Mission." Despite being composed in 1986, it has tremendous romantic melodies that is typically shown in 19th century classical music. Morricone demonstrates that sound does not have to be constrained or molded to the time period of its birth. Juxtaposed to the incredibly modern sounds of John Adams, "Short Ride in a Fast Machine," demonstrates the adaptation of classical music to the twenty-first century. The difference is unmistakable and thought provoking.
"Paganini Caprice No. 5," Shlomo Mintz. Paganini Caprices, DG Records, 1984. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amfCqFUMBkY (04/06/2010).
“Salut d’amour,” Midori Goto. Encore!, Sony Classical, 52568, 1992. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKDAy3J8s4 (04/05/2010)
“O mio babbino caro,” Joshua Bell. Romance of the Violin. Sony Classical, 87894, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ja-c1fsZd0 (04/06/2010)
“Franck Sonata, Mvt. 4,” Jacqueline du Pre, Brahms, Chopin, & Franck Cello Sonatas, EMI Classics, UPC: 724358623321, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj_9OvG9pj4 (04/05/2010)
"Elgar Cello Concerto, Mvt. 1," Yo-Yo Ma, London Symphony Orchestra. Elgar and Walton Cello Concertos, CBS Masterworks, 1990. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9DPfp7-Ck&feature=related (04/06/2010)
"Mahler Symphony No. 2, Finale," Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Mahler Symphony No. 2, EMI Records, CDS7479628, 1987. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HpWDQsNJ3k (04/06/2010)
"Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Mvt. 1," Mstislav Rostropovich (Cello), David Oistrakh (Violin). Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Brahms: Double Concerto, EMI Classics, 566902, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WkGJbwSdM&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"An American in Paris," Leonard Berstein, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven: Symphony No. 7; Gershwin: An American in Paris, 6556, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUfI6v6SwL4 (04/06/2010).
"Gershwin's Cuban Overture," Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra. George Gershwin, EMI Classics, 06628, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nXcoWmTL5Q&feature=related (04/06/2010).
"Rounds for String Orchestra," Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony Orchestra. David Diamond, Delos Records, 1996. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16vw0UxBjs (04/06/2010).
"Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8," Kopelman Quartet. Shostakovich and Miaskovsky String Quartets, Nimbus Records, 0710357582721, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSoKpCXWF0Q (04/06/2010).
"Overture to Candide," Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic. Bernstein Century - Bernstein's Candide, Sony Classical, 63085, 1997. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8&feature=fvw (04/07/2010).
“Gabriel’s Oboe,” Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone, Sony Classical, 93456, 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jSotUeV0WI (04/05/2010)
"Short Ride in a Fast Machine," Marin Alsop, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, John Adams: Shaker Loops, Naxos American, 8.559031, 2004. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDhRQDwTDJE&feature=related (04/05/2010).
My appreciation for classical music abounds from my admiration of classical sound. The composers and musicians in this playlist range from the supreme father of early American jazz, George Gershwin, to the master of the symphony, Johannes Brahms. Each one of these pieces has had a profound impact on my life over a span of seventeen years.
Each piece is arranged chronologically in terms of history. Starting with the lucious melodies of Sir Edward Elgar's "Nimrod," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fn2R6Hx30, there is a distinctly classical beauty to the orchestral score that makes this piece one of the most captivating yet shortest orchestral compositions. To me, it shows that the composer is in so much control of his abilities that he doesn't need forty-five minutes to capture the heart of an audience.
The five songs following "Nimrod," demonstrate the versatility of individual instruments. Shlomo Mintz shows me his complete command of the violin through Paganini's Fifth Violin Caprice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fn2R6Hx30. But such technical difficulty does not diminish the power and beauty of Elgar's piece, "Salut d'amour." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKDAy3J8s4.
There is nothing more powerful however than the sound of 150 voices combined with a full orchestra, as exemplified in the "Finale" of Mahler's Second Symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HpWDQsNJ3k. Mahler is a definitive example of the mastery of the symphonic form, but I also admire the uniquely American sound of Gershwin's, "An American in Paris." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUfI6v6SwL4.
As shown by the titles of Gershwin's two compositions, his music was heavily influenced by both European and Latin cultures. What he does however, is takes his life experiences abroad, and adapts them to form an American sound. This trickles down into the music of Leonard Bernstein, as his "Overture to Candide," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8&feature=fvw demonstrates a sound unheard of in Europe, yet embraced by the US.
I included the music of David Diamond http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16vw0UxBjs, because he was my personal composition mentor for three years before his death in 2005. His music may not be included in the soundscapes of others, but he individually crafted my development as a musician. Equally influential was my violin teacher, Mikhail Kopelman, as shown in his performance of Shostakovich's Eighth String Quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSoKpCXWF0Q. My personal audiotopia is distinctive to myself, yet it has been molded over time by master musicians, for which I am very grateful.
My playlist concludes with two uniquely modern pieces. The first is the critically acclaimed piece, "Gabriel's Oboe," of Ennio Morricone's masterful film score to "The Mission." Despite being composed in 1986, it has tremendous romantic melodies that is typically shown in 19th century classical music. Morricone demonstrates that sound does not have to be constrained or molded to the time period of its birth. Juxtaposed to the incredibly modern sounds of John Adams, "Short Ride in a Fast Machine," demonstrates the adaptation of classical music to the twenty-first century. The difference is unmistakable and thought provoking.
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