Read Online

19. October 2009 · 3 comments · Categories: Huh?, Links

If your goal were to introduce classical music to a teenager or young adult unfamiliar and uninterested in it?

Below are some of the suggestions (I’ve done some snipping…). I can’t say I’m impressed … although of course it’s always fun to “trick” a teenager. Um. Right?

If a teenager is uninterested in listening to classical music, you can always trick them into listening to it.

Step 1

Go buy the Walt Disney film Fantasia. It is a movie even the young at heart would enjoy watching and the music played throught the film are classical pieces….

Step 2

Take them to see ballet companies that put on shows in your town.
Swan Lake and The Nutcracker would really keep a young adult interested and in this way you’ll be doing a double favour to their senses both optical and acoustical.

Step 3

Christmas is comming up. There are classical Christmas songs that are very nice to listen to.

Step 4

Buy special packages of classical music that I am sure are available in your nearest music store. Straus is really a nice introduction to classical music as it can also be danced to. Also the Four Seasons by Vivaldi is nice as well.

Step 5

I leave best for last and that is YOU listen to classical music often enough and at a time that you know your young one is listening. This is sort of “music washing their brain” and they will become familiar even if they don’t admit they like this type of music.

And there you go. So c’mon now … get to work!

Read Online

19. October 2009 · 2 comments · Categories: Read Online

Is there any double-reed instrument with the same fingering as a clarinet?

Because I really love the sound of the oboe, but I regularly play clarinet. And I wanted to see if there was possibly a type of double-reed instrument that had the same fingering as a clarinet.
Please don’t answer saying something like, “You’re lazy why not just learn oboe” because I have tried it and there is really no time for me to learn a whole new instrument, and the only thing that could compromise is taking lessons over summer. But still… I’d like to have a similar sound with quicker playability.
Oh, gosh… now I feel like I’m going on too long….

Sunday Evening Music

18. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Sunday Evening Music

Mozart: Benedictus from the Requiem Mass in D minor

Sunday Morning Music

18. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Sunday Morning Music

So What Galaxy Are You From?

17. October 2009 · 2 comments · Categories: Huh?, Links

Here is the oboe galaxy.

Who knew?

Too Tired to Blog

17. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Ramble

… so I’ll just post what I just posted on Twitter & Facebook:

We are home from Daughter of the Regiment. Goofiest plot ever, maybe? But what great fun it was! (And fab EH solo!)

(Brava, Janet!)

Soon!

16. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera, Videos

Huh?

16. October 2009 · 2 comments · Categories: Videos

We exist despite the sober formality of great concert halls, despite the boredom of classical musicians’ life, despite fanatic lovers of classical music, despite fans of rock, rap or pop who are afraid of classical music. We treat our Muse with a humorous irony and we’re sure, she will have nothing against it!”

Gee, I’ve never felt that my life is all that boring. Go figure.

But the above quote is about some comedic classical music group, so maybe even the above is a bit of a joke, eh? You can decide what you think about their routine.

TQOD

16. October 2009 · 1 comment · Categories: TQOD

Third chair oboe is super passive aggressive. I think she might try to kill me in my sleep. Better stay awake during rests.

10 Most Innovative Music-Making Products

15. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Links

I see no miracle oboe reeds here.

I’m sorely disappointed.

I Like This …

15. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Links, News

Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and the California Arts Council today announced that 42 local arts organizations will be awarded $549,000 to present free or inexpensive public concerts throughout California with funds obtained from a 2003 anti-trust settlement.

“Music has a universal appeal, bringing people together and creating a community spirit,” Brown said. “Through these concerts, we hope to bring a small measure of joy into local communities and encourage cultural development.”

The state arts organization sees this as an opportunity to help foster artistic appreciation.

“The California Arts Council is delighted to have partnered with the Attorney General’s Office to provide the state’s citizens with the opportunity to experience the joy of live performances from California’s many genres of music,” said Muriel Johnson, Director of the California Arts Council.

In 2003, the Attorney General’s office settled an antitrust case against five of the country’s largest music CD distributors and three national retail chains. The suit contended that the defendants entered illegal agreements with each other to set minimum advertised prices on music CDs.

After the settlement was approved by the courts, 665,000 music CDs worth $9 million were distributed to public schools, colleges and libraries. Restitution in the amount of $13.86 was awarded to California consumers who filed claims. After the settlement was distributed, $549,000 remained, which was given to the California Arts Council to establish a one-time music grant program.

The California Arts Council has carefully reviewed over 160 applications, according to an official statement.

RTWT

(I do wonder if Santa Clara University — not exactly a place known for music — is the only organization that applied for grant money in our county.)

BQOD

15. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: BQOD

I did check out an English Horn today, which was pretty cool. Except the English Horn is heavy, and the case didn’t have a neck strap. And also, the English Horn is hard. The oboe is about a jillion times easier.

(For the record, I don’t use a neck strap. I have rather strong hands, so I don’t use a peg either. But if I had to use something it would be a peg … I think the neck strap is rotten on the neck.)

TQOD

15. October 2009 · 2 comments · Categories: TQOD

rock music should not contain an oboe solo.

Funny

14. October 2009 · 4 comments · Categories: Havin' Fun

… and it’s not even April 1st.

The Detroit Symphony has announced plans for a completely revamped season, starting with its concerts this week. The programs will not be changed, at least the ones advertised, but the manner in which the works are performed will be altered.

To begin, the orchestra will be seated with their backs to the audience. Music Director Leonard Slatkin said at a press conference yesterday, “I feel that the listeners are distracted by seeing the faces of the musicians. By turning around, people will tire of looking at backsides and focus purely on the music.”

But that is only the beginning of the new era. For the final work on the program, Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony, the conductor is not only going to reinstate the cuts sanctioned by the composer, but will add some additional ones as well. All in all the total performing time will be about 12 minutes.

“The piece is so long and repetitive. Once you have heard the main tunes, well, they are so memorable that they do not have to be played again.”

RTWT

Toreador Song – Bottled

14. October 2009 · Comments Off · Categories: Videos

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