“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.
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I am citing “My Life as a Classical Musician - Playlist I” for question #2. The only time I listen to classical music is once a year when I go to the Ballet with my grandmother. Listening to this playlist was one of the first times that I listened to classical music without also having a visual stimulant. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this music.
ReplyDeleteI am citing this playlist, "My Life as a Classical Musician" for question two on task 7. I barely ever listen to classical music, and when I do, I listen to the composers that you have excluded from your list, such as Bach and Mozart. Your commentary helped to broaden my horizons in terms of what else classical music has to offer. I also was able to learn how different genres such as jazz and latin helped to influence classical music. I may not listen to much classical music in the future, but when I do, I will be sure to listen for the details you spoke about in your commentary.
ReplyDeleteI am citing “My Life as a Classical Musician-Playlist I” for question 2. I do not regularly listen to classical music, unless it is in the soundtrack of a movie or some other venue. I felt your commentary was definitely helpful in showing the role of the composer and the musician and how that plays into the sonic quality of the particular piece. Your commentary also helped to introduce me to new musicians and composers that I have not been exposed to before. I would like to explore some of the pieces further, perhaps as a relaxing or more thoughtful mood playlist.
ReplyDeletei. I am citing the first playlist here for part 3 of the task. I have taken a class on classical music before, and I learned a lot about the background and the components of classical music, and your website furthered my knowledge. However, I could not really connect with the music then, and I cannot really connect with the music now. I have an appreciation for this music, but it would not be something I would have on my iTunes.
ReplyDeleteI am citing this for #2. Your commentary makes me appreciate the beauty of classical music and how passion goes into each piece. I have also always wanted to listen to more classical music and I think your playlists are a good collection to start from.
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