Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Classical Music Connections

A new website has been launched, aimed at the classical music community and cultured singles.  The website, www.classicalmusicconnections.com is a different class of dating websites.  It really is more than just a dating site, though its primary goal is to bring together singles with the hope of finding that special someone who share the same interests. 


It also offers the chance for anyone who loves the music and the arts to meet, make friends, discuss events, concerts, music and the issues that matter to this particular community of people.

If you love the music and had hopes of finding a website dedicated to the things that matter to you then this site be just the place for you.  If you would like to find people who share your interests, have lively forum discussions, read interesting blogs and meet great people then this maybe the website for you.  It is the new website for cultured singles, classical music lovers and people interested in the arts.

Our members are highly educated, well versed with a vast range of interests and professions making for wonderful and very exciting conversations, forums and blogs.
 
Membership is for anyone interested in classical music and other cultural areas.  Singles can find partners, couples can find event companions and friends who share their interests.  This is the website were classical music lovers and cultured singles meet.  Though dedicated to bringing classical music lovers together, this really is more than a dating website, it’s a community.  Check it out, it is well worth it.  

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Frescoes for orchestra.

The unfortunate thing about this short suite is that you need to have two CDs to hear the entire work! The suite is in three well-balanced movements, however it does not appear to have been recorded as a complete entity – at least it has not been released as such. The first movement is on a Guild Light Music CD and is played by the New Concert Orchestra conducted by Serge Krish and the second and third are part of the Marco Polo Haydn Wood retrospective Volume 2, played by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ernest Tomlinson.

Frescoes were composed around 1936, when the composer was in his mid-fifties. According to Ernest Tomlinson, the music was inspired by the ‘mural decorations by Miss Anna Zinkeisen which graced a famous music publishing house.’ In fact it was Boosey and Hawkes at 295 Regent Street. Unfortunately, the murals were destroyed by fire in October 1990. I wonder if anyone has any photographs? (Apart from one obscure shot in Tempo)
 
Out of interest, Miss Zinkeisen was a Scottish artist, born in 1901. She and her sister Doris was employed by John Brown & Son of Clydebank, Glasgow to paint murals for the Queen Mary’s Verandah Grill and ballroom. During the war, Anna was a war artist working with the Red Cross and the Order of St John.
 
The first movement of Frescoes convincingly portrays a ballroom somewhere in Vienna, complete with a Hollywood-inspired realisation of the waltzes and the flowing dresses. It is one of the most delicious little waltzes that Haydn Wood or any other Englishman has composed. 
 
The listener will instantly recognise the two main tunes used on the second movement Sea Shanties. The music opens quietly with a dream-like calm. It develops into a reflective mediations on ‘Shenandoah’, before suddenly moving onto ‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor?’ with its lovely muted brass melody. However, the serious side of this music reasserts itself and the movement ends as it began with ‘Shenandoah’ played with Delius-like slippery harmonies. 
 
The March: The Bandstand in Hyde Park, based on another fresco, is depicted in the last movement and is well portrayed with a fast-paced march tune. This is no concert march like Elgar or Walton would have produced, but is an everyday, popular tune that would have been enjoyed by countless holidaymakers and day trippers at bandstands around the country. The march’s trio is a good tune, without going over the top. But what impresses me most is the superb orchestration: it is masterly in its use of colour, especially in the brass section.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Indian Classical Music – Sitar

Music іѕ аn exceptionally essential раrt οf ουr life. Mοѕt οf thе people οn thе planet еnјοу wіth music. Thе іmрοrtаnt factor іѕ thаt a variety οf people lіkе different form οf music. Sοmе lіkе classical music аnd ѕοmе people lіkе sitar music. Dο уου find out аbουt sitar music?

It іѕ аn incredibly specific type οf music аnd іt аlѕο wаѕ very common іn past. It іѕ hοwеνеr using іn classical music possesses become іmрοrtаnt component οf music. Thе sitar music іѕ ancient kind οf music bυt іt іѕ still рοрυlаr іn thе world. Mοѕt οf folks want tο appreciate wіth sitar music bесаυѕе іt’s very іntеrеѕtіng type involving music.


Thіѕ specific type οf music іѕ рοрυlаr іn thе world bυt especially іt really іѕ mοѕt рοрυlаr wіth India. Yου ѕhουld аrе aware thаt music іѕ a very іmрοrtаnt aspect οf Native indian culture bесаυѕе a lot οf people іn India lονе tο еnјοу wіth nеw music. Music аnd dance іѕ a component οf Indian culture аnd a lot οf thе Indian people need tο еnјοу wіth music. Thе classical audio іѕ incomplete devoid οf sitar bесаυѕе іt іѕ јυѕt a very іmрοrtаnt section οf classical music.

In past Indian songs wеrе known аѕ bhajans. In past јυѕt few musical instruments wеrе utilized іn India fοr audio programs. Sοmе people used sitar аnd tables tο bе a musical instrument. Now thеrе аrе available a large zero οf musical musical instruments.

Aѕ іt іѕ usually a period οf modernization bυt sitar music continues tο bе рοрυlаr іn thе whole world. Especially іn Asian countries thіѕ kind οf music іѕ extremely рοрυlаr аnd thе majority want tο еnјοу οn thіѕ specific type connected wіth music. Thе popularity regarding sitar music іѕ increasing wіth thе passage οf period. Now іt happens tο bе аn іmрοrtаnt раrt οf modern music. Yου саn еnјοу thіѕ music іn different films аnd dramas.

Thіѕ music іѕ utilized іn mοѕt οf thе films аnd dramas bесаυѕе mοѕt people lіkе thіѕ type οf music. Indian film marketplace аnd Indian music industry іѕ quite рοрυlаr іn depends upon.

Yου ѕhουld аrе aware thаt a large absolutely nο οf languages talked іn India. Similarly уου ought tο know thаt India hаѕ more thаn one music entity. Thе Indian music hаѕ become more рοрυlаr due tο development οf television, communication аnd numerous channels.

Thе іmрοrtаnt factor іѕ thаt уου сουld еnјοу Indian music іn thе world bесаυѕе іt comes іn thе whole earth. If уου wish tο download аn unique song thеn іt саn bе beneficial tο work wіth thе source connected wіth internet bесаυѕе іt іѕ a better source. Yου саn еnјοу sitar music wіth thе aid οf television, music channels іn addition tο internet. Thеѕе аll sources аrе incredibly іmрοrtаnt bυt cause οf internet іѕ really effective. Thе major advantage οf internet іѕ thаt one сουld еnјοу аnу sort οf music.

Mοѕt οf individuals υѕе thе cause οf television аnd music channels hаνе fun wіth sitar music. It іѕ a real fact thаt sitar music саn bе quite рοрυlаr οn earth.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Learning How to Appreciate Classical Music

It is quite apparent that the widespread appreciation of classical music is waning in our society.It is often viewed as “stuffy music” or even worse: “that scary music for old people!” There are many reasons for why this has taken place.One is that musical education here in America has suffered of late from school budget cuts.This is surprising considering the considerable evidence that classical music can actually enhance your concentration, cognitive thinking abilities and I.Q.Many people are aware of the “Mozart Effect,” a scientific study used to prove that: “Hey! If you listen to a bunch of Mozart, you might become smarter!”

While this study is often overstated, after all, the reality is that any type of music can stimulate brain activity. (Yes, even Lady Gaga.)It is interesting to note, however, that those who were raised listening to classical music often score higher on tests then those who did not.Just like learning language, learning to love classical music oftentimes is easier at a younger age, although anyone can learn to appreciate it at any age.



First, let’s start with some basics.Classical music was originally intended to refer to a category of music beginning around 1730 and ending about 1820.This term “classical music” is actually quite inaccurate as it eliminates several other musical periods with some notable composers. For example: the Baroque period, where Johann Sebastian Bach dominated.A more proper term encompassing all of the music we think of in this broad category is “art music” which is typically divided into six musical time periods: Medieval (500–1400), followed by Renaissance (1400–1600), Baroque (1600–1760), Classical (1730–1820), Romantic (1815–1910), and lastly, the Modern era (1900–2000).

When learning to appreciate art music, it is important to be able to identify what distinguishes one particular musical period from another.If you can listen to a random piece of music and instantaneously recognize its respective time period, then you are well on your way to becoming a connoisseur.One way of doing this is by becoming acquainted with the proper instrumentation used in each time period.For example, if you hear a harpsichord, chances are high that you are listening to something that came from the baroque period.As one gets more experienced, one may begin to recognize certain features in music from a specific time period.A good example might be the use of thicker orchestration characteristic of music from the romantic era.The final step is to be able to identify the composer who might be responsible for writing the work.

The next step is to learn some basic understanding of music form.All music has form.Pop music typically uses a verse-chorus form.Art music uses a variety of different forms ranging from Sonata form, to Rondo.Sonata form (which is sometimes called “sonata-allegro” form) consists of three sections: the exposition, the development and the recapitulation.Rondo form, on the other hand, is organized most commonly as: ABACABA.So when listening for form something like Rondo might become apparent by noticing the repetition of the “A section.”Often “pieces” of music are organized into larger “works.”Examples of these would be the concerto, the symphony or the baroque suite.Being able to understand these forms will give the listener a greater understanding of the composer’s work.

It can be overwhelming when there is so much music.With over 500 years of accumulated music to choose from, and even more if one chooses to delve into medieval music, where does one begin?A good choice to first get one’s feet wet, so to speak, is the baroque period.It is very accessible music and you may be surprised by how much of it you have actually heard over the years in movies and television shows.Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” is a good starting work to become familiar with.Any of the six Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach would also be a good place to start.The romantic period is also very accessible.Much of the music is melodic and highly emotive.Any of the piano works by Frederic Chopin would be a good starting place for an art music “newbie.”Other great examples would be any of the late works by Beethoven (particularly his ninth symphony) as well as any of the piano works by Robert Schumann.

There are really two main composers to look for when entering the classical period — W.A. Mozart and Joseph Haydn. Mozart wrote a wealth of music but a good starting place might be his 40th symphony or his 21st piano concerto.The last period to tackle would certainly be the modern era, as it is often times a more controversial era.However, there is still a great deal of “accessible” music to the new listener.Works by Ravel, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev are all great for first time listeners.Always try to keep an open mind and be adventurous.

The key to learning to appreciate art music is repeated listening.Attending symphonies, operas, and ballets provide a variety of opportunities for exposing one’s self to the world of art music (as well as a great way of supporting the arts).Don’t be scared!If all else fails, just sit back and enjoy the music.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Learning How to Appreciate Classical Music

It is quite apparent that the widespread appreciation of classical music is waning in our society.It is often viewed as “stuffy music” or even worse: “that scary music for old people!” There are many reasons for why this has taken place.One is that musical education here in America has suffered of late from school budget cuts.This is surprising considering the considerable evidence that classical music can actually enhance your concentration, cognitive thinking abilities and I.Q.Many people are aware of the “Mozart Effect,” a scientific study used to prove that: “Hey! If you listen to a bunch of Mozart, you might become smarter!”While this study is often overstated, after all, the reality is that any type of music can stimulate brain activity. (Yes, even Lady Gaga.)It is interesting to note, however, that those who were raised listening to classical music often score higher on tests then those who did not.Just like learning language, learning to love classical music oftentimes is easier at a younger age, although anyone can learn to appreciate it at any age.

First, let’s start with some basics.Classical music was originally intended to refer to a category of music beginning around 1730 and ending about 1820.This term “classical music” is actually quite inaccurate as it eliminates several other musical periods with some notable composers. For example: the Baroque period, where Johann Sebastian Bach dominated.A more proper term encompassing all of the music we think of in this broad category is “art music” which is typically divided into six musical time periods: Medieval (500–1400), followed by Renaissance (1400–1600), Baroque (1600–1760), Classical (1730–1820), Romantic (1815–1910), and lastly, the Modern era (1900–2000).

When learning to appreciate art music, it is important to be
able to identify what distinguishes one particular musical period from another.If you can listen to a random piece of music and instantaneously recognize its respective time period, then you are well on your way to becoming a connoisseur.One way of doing this is by becoming acquainted with the proper instrumentation used in each time period.For example, if you hear a harpsichord, chances are high that you are listening to something that came from the baroque period.As one gets more experienced, one may begin to recognize certain features in music from a specific time period.

A good example might be the use of thicker orchestration characteristic of music from the romantic era.The final step is to be able to identify the composer who might be responsible for writing the work.

The next step is to learn some basic understanding of music form.All music has form.Pop music typically uses a verse-chorus form.Art music uses a variety of different forms ranging from Sonata form, to Rondo.Sonata form (which is sometimes called “sonata-allegro” form) consists of three sections: the exposition, the development and the recapitulation.Rondo form, on the other hand, is organized most commonly as: ABACABA.So when listening for form something like Rondo might become apparent by noticing the repetition of the “A section.”Often “pieces” of music are organized into larger “works.”Examples of these would be the concerto, the symphony or the baroque suite.Being able to understand these forms will give the listener a greater understanding of the composer’s work.
 http://welltempered.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/andree-watts-3.jpg
It can be overwhelming when there is so much music.With over 500 years of accumulated music to choose from, and even more if one chooses to delve into medieval music, where does one begin?A good choice to first get one’s feet wet, so to speak, is the baroque period.It is very accessible music and you may be surprised by how much of it you have actually heard over the years in movies and television shows.Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” is a good starting work to become familiar with.Any of the six Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach would also be a good place to start.The romantic period is also very accessible.

Much of the music is melodic and highly emotive.Any of the piano works by Frederic Chopin would be a good starting place for an art music “newbie.”Other great examples would be any of the late works by Beethoven (particularly his ninth symphony) as well as any of the piano works by Robert Schumann.
There are really two main composers to look for when entering the classical period — W.A. Mozart and Joseph Haydn.

Mozart wrote a wealth of music but a good starting place might be his 40th symphony or his 21st piano concerto.The last period to tackle would certainly be the modern era, as it is often times a more controversial era.However, there is still a great deal of “accessible” music to the new listener.Works by Ravel, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev are all great for first time listeners.Always try to keep an open mind and be adventurous.

The key to learning to appreciate art music is repeated listening.Attending symphonies, operas, and ballets provide a variety of opportunities for exposing one’s self to the world of art music (as well as a great way of supporting the arts).Don’t be scared!If all else fails, just sit back and enjoy the music.