Archive for February, 2011
Song of the Week
Bartok’s Sonatina While Bartok’s work was often just regurgitation of folk music, familiarity with it is a must for the serious musician. I am particularly fond of this piece for its quirkiness.
I must learn how to do this
The instrument is called a Gu Zheng. One of the performance techniques you see in this video is bending the string on the opposite side of the bridge, similar to a pedal steel guitar. Very cool.
Song of the Week
Le Tombeau de Couperin (Orchestral Version) Maurice Ravel Originally a Suite for Piano Solo in six parts, four parts were later orchestrated by the composer. This is the most beautiful musical work I know of. Each part is dedicated to the memory of a World War I casualty close to the composer.
The Star Spangled Banner
Was famously sung incorrectly yesterday (link). This angered some and others are questioning if performers should continue being so liberal in their interpretation of the song. As a musician though, I’d say neither issue is that big a deal. 1) Forgetting the words: it happens, just usually not during the Super Bowl. Walk it off. 2) Messing [...]
Song of the Week
Superstition Beck, Bogert, and Appice Stevie Wonder offered the song to Beck to record but he didn’t get around to it until this release. It’s a great version IF you’re a Beck fan.