Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Popular Modern Classical Music

Now we often want to listen to some inside the much more well-known music, would you already know classical tracks much more flavor? every one of us usually associate classical tracks with sophistication, specialized expertise and expression, all of that are true.

Classical music in strict terms is music that was written and composed during a very specific time period. This time period is 1750 to 1820. What is it that sets this particular period apart from the Baroque period which comes right before or the Romantic which is the period right after? These are not just random dates that some forgotten historian chose, but rather refer to the actual way that the music was composed.
In literature, there are a number of recognized styles of writing. A limerick or a Haiku are both poems, and yet each one has a very strict format and layout. This same principle applies to music. Pieces written during the classical period have a very distinct structure and layout as well. A person who has classical music training can recognize the differences between pieces in the same way that a person schooled in literature can tell you the exact difference between an English sonnet and an Italian one.

So what happens when you have a piece of music that follows this exact format, but was written during a later period? Do you call it a piece of classical music, or maybe, a modern classical piece?

One of the latest trends in the world of video gaming is to have background music that is written in the classical style. These are not simple tunes, these are pieces that are written to be preformed and played by an entire orchestra. The people who are composing the music are those that have been educated in the field of music and are following the format of the classic composition. The creators of these pieces are not only wonderful writers, they are often musicians themselves.

A spin-off of this trend is a change in the productions being held in theatres and auditoriums all around the globe. People are flocking to these places to go and see concerts that are played by the orchestras. These productions are much more than a listening experience. Many of the productions involve huge screens with videos and lights. One special tour even permitted audience participation. Select members of the audience were given the chance to show off their gaming skills against others on the big screens while the entire audience watched and cheered. Prizes awarded to the best gamers at each performance.

The modern classical piece may not be exactly what Beethoven had in mind when he was writing his great works, but you can imagine what he would have been able to do with all the new resources and advancements. Who knows, he might have written his twentieth symphony as an elf battle theme.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

What Is The Hindustani Classical Music In Kolkata

Indians have been always inclined towards classical music. India has always had a rich tradition of Indian classical music. Every state of this country has its own unique style of melody and composition, usually called as 'gharana'. It is an age old tradition in India to put the young children for getting training from the great music gurus. People from far and wide come to India to acquire the skills of being a renowned vocalist. This fond liking for music in the hearts of people can also be felt and seen greatly in the residents of Kolkata. Here too, young talents are putting a lot of effort to shape up into fine Hindustani Classical singer in Kolkata. Kolkata has always been the cultural capital of India and why not, here in this city one out of every three girls know singing.


Although various forms of music are popular amongst people in Kolkata, but most of the singers are inclined towards learning Rabindra Sangeet or Indian Classical music. Thumri is also a very popular and important part of Indian classical music. It is basically from Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, but is loved by the Hindustani Classical singer in Kolkata. For the emerging talents finding a reputed Thumri singer in Kolkata is not a very taxing task as the city has a lot to offer in this regard.Anyone who likes Hindustani classical music, values Thumri a great deal. Although the origin of Thumri lies in the reputed 'Banarasi gharana', but, one can surely find very skillful Thumri singer in Kolkata. One can be benefitted by their skill and experience in the field of Thumri singing by seeking their able guidance.

Learning classical music is very tough and hence demands total dedication and denotation. To acquire the skills of classical singing, one has to take proper guidance from a reputed Hindustani Classical singer in Kolkata.

Although, nowadays the trend of contemporary music is catching up and the young generation wants to learn this modern style of music and singing, but this current trend has not been able to shun way the importance of classical music in Kolkata. Even today, it has its own special place in the hearts of the true music lovers all over the city. Thumri has been an absolute favourtie of the lovers of classical music, and why not as Thumri is often regarded as the diamond of the Indian Classical music. In the modern times of today the music gurus experiment blending Thumri with other major ragas of the Indian music. This is making its popularity reaching an all time high.

All this makes any refined Thumri singer in Kolkata earn a lot of appreciation and regard. To get full control and for shaping into a good singer one has to get in to singing at a very early age, as during the childhood time it is easy to work on the vocal chords and match up to the notes of music hence one must search for a reputed Hindustani classical singer in Kolkata or Thumri singer in Kolkata to refine one's skill of classical music.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

How To Sing Classical Music

To learn how to sing classical music involves hard work, patience, repertoire of skills, and commitment. Beginners and even professionals have to develop their voices through systematic and careful practice of vocal exercises and songs.
One of the striking features of classical singing is the disciplined posture of the singers. In general, good posture in singing ultimately improves overall health by improving blood circulation. On the other hand, the importance of good posture to singing lies in preventing stress of the muscles of the body to sustain the whole performance with enthusiasm, energy and power.

Here are the components of good singing posture. Have your feet slightly apart, keep your legs straight, but make sure that your knees are unlocked, have your hips facing straight forward, your abdomen flat, spine aligned, shoulders down and back, and your head facing straight forward.

Next, a good thing about warm up exercises include extending your vocal range, lining up the voice vertically and horizontally, acquiring vocal techniques, control dynamics, singing wide intervals, thrills, and correcting vocal faults. Start to master your breathe support. There are three stages in breathing: breathing in period, breathing out period, and recovery period. A good singing instructor can teach you these elements of breathing.

To give you an example exercise, you may try these healthy techniques to be practiced regularly about articulatory movement of using your mouth and shape the sounds.
Try to soften your voice and whisper to give it a breathy feel. Then, practice a catsmeow as well as a growl sound.
Experiment with the mouth shapes, tongue placement, and lowering and raising the larynx when singing a phrase.
Try to project the voice outwards and forwards and visualize the note as it reaches the back of the room.
This exercise places importance on how you sound during the exercise and not the tune you used on this exercise.
In classical singing, when it comes to expression, the deep emotion of the song has to be translated into your voice. This is where learning the foreign language becomes a challenge for classical singers in order to sing the song in which the expression makes it real and alive for the listeners.
Either you would enter a foreign language school, keep a dictionary for your reference or learn the language on your own, what's important is how you understand what you have been singing and are able to relate the message to your large audience.
To have emotion in singing, you can practice speaking the lyrics out loud as if you are talking to your friend, if it is a love song, read it to your loved one. You can appear natural on stage with your emotions if you can effectively relate to the song and sing it from the bottom of your heart.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Indian Carnatic Classical Music

Music is the soul of Indian Culture. Saamveda (One of the Vedas as per Hindu Mythology) gives detailed knowledge about all the aspects of music. Indian Classical Music is considered as the complete music system ever developed. Indian Classical Music can very effectively be used for meditation and self-realization. The different melodies of Indian Classical Music are known as Ragas. According to the research by specialists its been prooven that Music not only helps humans but they really have a very good effect on plants also.

Indian Classical Music is mainly divided as Hidustani Music and Carnatic Music. There are many different instruments are used in Indian Classical Music such as Sitar, Sarangi, Ghatam, Tabla, Sarod, Tanpura, Tambora, Veena, Violin, Mridangam etc. There are also many other types of drums used by people living in different parts of India such as Pakhwaj, Dholaki, Sambala, Damaru etc.

Did you ever think about visiting India?If not, it might be the time to do it because India is definitely on the list of places that you have to visit in a lifetime and there is a wide array of reasons that encourage this. It is a great value destination and despite that much of it is rural, there are some incredible sights to be seen and discovered. Apart from its natural beauty, the unsurpassed Indian hospitality and Carnatic classical music, the food is amazing, the history is rich and interesting, the architecture is magnificent wherever you go and moreover, the luxury segment of the market offers some mesmerizing accommodations. India offers you the possibility to get out of your comfort zone and get a different perspective of life and in spite of the cultural shock that sometimes might be pretty difficult to deal with, India can be very inspiring and refreshing for the soul providing a unique spiritual and emotional experience.

With respect to classical Carnatic music, it is an important element in defining the Indian culture which has developed within a very complex interaction between different people of different races and cultures. It is also known as the south Indian tradition and it represents one of the two major traditions in classical Indian music. Although it is fundamentally similar with the north Indian tradition, they both differ in nomenclature and performance practice. The main emphasis of classical music Carnatic is on vocal music and most Carnatic classical music songs are written to be sung and also played on instruments but they are meant to be performed in a singing style (known as g?yaki). Like Hindustani music, Carnatic music rests on two main elements: r?ga, the modes or melodic formula, and t??a, the rhythmic cycles.

Today, Carnatic classical music is presented by musicians in concerts or recordings, either vocally or through instruments. It developed around musical works or compositions of phenomenal composers and moreover, there are many people interested in attending Carnatic music lessons. In fact, there are several academies that provide the opportunity for students from all over the India and also worldwide to learn classical Carnatic music from the convenience of their home. This kind of academies are usually founded under the guidance and leadership of music composers and singers and they are able to provide high quality Indian music education online. This way all the people around the globe who love music or who are interested in Indian culture have the possibility to learn it in a funny and easy manner, at their own peace and convenience. Students have access to very well-structured Carnatic music lessons and to a wide variety of Carnatic classical music songs which enables them to reach a high level of proficiency in perform this kind of music. In addition to this, they can take advantage of a variety of online instruments designed for self-learning or practice and they even have the opportunity to attend online courses with a teacher and a small group of students which allows them to demonstrate and fine their classical music Carnatic skills.

Carnatic classical music is usually performed by a small ensemble of musicians, who sit on an elevated stage. This usually consists of, at least, a principal performer, a melodic accompaniment, a rhythm accompaniment, and a drone. Performances can be musical or musical-dramatic while musical recitals are either vocal, or purely instrumental in nature. It is a complex music with a rich tradition and history thus it is considered one of the world's gems. 

Indian Classical Music is now famous in all over the world. Listening to the music is not only gives pleasure to your ears but to your soul.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Classical Music Channel


THE SCHUMANN ENCOUNTER: Robert's Rescue
Simon Callow Stars as two of Robert Schumann's alter egos, Florestan and Eusebius, in this highly imaginative film by Andy Sommer, about Schumann’s fevered creative process; the film is presented along with a performance of Schumann's Symphony No. 2, conducted by Roger Norrington-- who also appears in the film(!)

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Soldier Songs
Baritone David Adam Moore performs Part II ("Warrior") of composer David T. Little’s riveting evening-length multimedia event Soldier Songs, which combines elements of theater, opera, rock-infused-concert music, and animation; PLUS a probing interview with the creators of Prototype, a festival now being organized to showcase “opera-theater now”

CRITIC'S CHOICE: Ramon Vargas Recital
Felice Picano selects an exquisite recital by tenor Ramon Vargas, recorded at Wigmore Hall in London, from Classical TV's extensive library of free videos. The recital features Schumann's Dichterliebe and Donizetti's "Una Furtiva Lagrima."

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Classical Music Review

To be honest, it is not the best work by Glass (below) I have ever heard, even though it dates from 2002 and is mature Glass that has its appeal. But because the opera has never been recorded or put on DVD or film, it is a terrific choice to stage to mark the composer’s 75thbirthday, which happens to be today—coincidentally, the same day as the hotly contested Florida Republican primary.
Plus, it is the Madison Opera’s first foray into Glass, or into minimalist Opera for that matter – a brave move that deserves to be praised and repeated perhaps with other Glass works or maybe something by John Adams.
But that is just one way in which this production of “Galileo,” which I saw Sunday afternoon, has proved timely.

It also was a success in that it marked four successive years of sold-out mid-winter performances for operas done in smaller venues of the Overture Center like The Playhouse and Promenade Hall. Previously, the Madison Opera staged Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land,” Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” (below) andKurt Weill‘s “Threepenny Opera.”
Clearly, there is a market for the smaller, less common works. It would seem these smaller and more experimental winter productions are here to stay, and I applaud that heartily. I can’t wait to see what the next season brings.