5-21-12 - "All The Rowboats" ~ Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor probably doesn't need the hype from my little blog, and I've already discussed a few of her tracks.  But this one, from her new album that drops next week, is just spectacular and I felt like telling you why I feel that way, so here goes.


The first several times I listened were at work with the volume low, unfortunately not the best way to fully appreciate music.  However, even in that setting, the musicianship and composition struck me.  When I got around to giving the song its proper due and absorbing the lyrics, it only deepened my enjoyment.  On the surface, the song is a lament for masterworks of various art forms as they are neglected by today's reality TV society.  If you like, you can likely find several layers of deeper meaning as well.


The most poignant metaphor, for me, is the violin.  A Stradivarius is in itself a masterpiece, but it only becomes a true wonder when in the hands of a brilliant musician.  If it's sitting in a display case, the beauty of its sound is lost... "They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing..."


Here's the track on Soundcloud:





A Letterman performance from last week, complete with a Steinway & Sons grand piano and Regina's trademarked oddball vocalizations - this time in the form of laser sound effects:

And the music video:

"First there's lights out, then there's lock up

Masterpieces serving maximum sentences

It's their own fault for being timeless

There's a price to pay, and a consequence..."

5-10-12 - "Morning Mood (Peer Gynt)" ~ Edvard Grieg

Tonight's special: a flash mob on a train.  Copenhagen Philharmonic playing Grieg's "Morning Mood" from "Peer Gynt" (you'll recognize the tune from countless movies / cartoons / commercials).  Flash mobs are so 2011, in a way.  But still, this is a pretty good concept - bringing classical music to commuters to brighten up their morning.  Interesting note: in the original play "Peer Gynt", the scene for which this was written has something to do with fending off a swarm of apes...


Anyway, the flash mob video:

And a piano version of the music:

11-5-11 - "The 1812 Overture" ~ Tchaikovsky

"Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

The Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot."

It's the Fifth of November, and if you're like me, you may watch V for Vendetta tonight.  Mostly because Natalie Portman looks good even with a shaved head, but also because of Occupy Wall Street - standing up to The Man, fighting against... wait, what are we fighting against?  Hopefully something bad...


The movie is about a totalitarian government in the UK in a futuristic dystopian society, and a vigilante who fights against the evils of said government, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask symbolically in reference to Fawkes' efforts to overthrow the British government centuries ago.  There could be a lot of debate about the meaning of the film and the motives of the characters, as well as the justness of their causes.  It's interesting to note the religious side of the original Gunpowder Treason - Fawkes was part of a group of Catholics trying to overthrow a Protestant government and restore Catholicism's power backed by the British crown.  So depending on whether you consider Protestants to be tantamount to Totalitarians...


Of further interest is the use of the end of Russian composer Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at the climax of the film.  The score has become popular in America and is often used in a patriotic sense here, and it's somewhat implicit in the movie that V is using it to stand for freedom and patriotism as well.  However, despite what most Americans likely think, the music was not composed to celebrate American victory over Britain in The War of 1812 (hmm, more irony that a British freedom fighter would use it, if that were true).  Believe it or not, there was more than one war going on in that year, and Tchaikovsky was actually telling the story of the failed attack by Napoleon's army on Moscow, and celebrating the defense of the Russian city.  Hence the elements of the French national anthem and "God Save the Tsar" within the music.


Bottom line, it's a fine piece of classical music, and the final few minutes - complete with cannon fire which is called out in the score - are spectacular.  To quote the great Calvin: "And they perform this in crowded concert halls??"

I'd love to debate the historical, political, and religious ramifications of all this information with you some time, but for now, just enjoy the music, and remember to stand for what you believe in.

And here's the last two minutes, for those of you who aren't patient enough for the whole thing:

And here's the <SPOILER ALERT> final scene from the film.

8-21-11 - "Piano Trio No. 5 in D major ("Ghost"), Op. 70 No. 1" ~ Ludwig van Beethoven

I was privileged to be invited to a house recital ("chamber music", if you will) this afternoon.  A friend of my brother's from their time at the University of Pittsburgh invited us to attend.  He is a pretty talented pianist, and was performing with a few other fine gentlemen. They began with some Prokofiev and some Brahms waltzes, but this piece by Beethoven was the focal point of the recital.  It's quite enjoyable, a trio featuring piano, cello, and violin with lively first and third movements bookending the largo second movement.  For portions, the piano lays the foundation for the cello and violin to trade soaring melodies in a friendly sparring match.  At other times, the strings cede the spotlight to the intricate fingering of the keys.  It's two parts excitement, one part gentle and elegant beauty, and I highly recommend you listen to the entire work, although it clocks around 25 minutes so you may want to just give the first movement a go for now if you're pressed for time.  If you do that, be sure to come back for the rest - it makes perfect background music for some reading or relaxation!


 Piano Trio No. 5 in D major ("Ghost"), Op. 70 No. 1

8-5-11 - "Hook" ~ Blues Traveler

Time for the '90s at... whatever time it is.  The song "Hook" is not catchy at all, I just like the lyrics.  (thanks to Empty Netters for the link.)  But yea, Blues Traveler may not be everyone's cup of tea - my college roommate was not a fan - but then again, there are a few people in the world who don't like the Beatles, U2, or (dare I say it?) Lady Gaga.  So I'll continue to post songs I like, and let you decide whether they're awesome to you, too...

I really do like the lyrics on this one, though.  It's a biting commentary on the shallowness of society and the entertainment industry, and perhaps also on the weak-minded nature of the masses being reeled in again and again by hollow and trite diversions.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm ok with a song that "says nothing so far" but has a good hook... but seriously, with some of the stuff that's "top 40" these days ("tell me what's next, alien sex?" ...really, Kanye?) I worry about the children.  Bottom line is, Blues Traveler have convictions and they're standing by them.  They want their songs to mean something AND be catchy, and I think they succeeded here.  If you really listen to the lyrics, there are numerous layers of brilliance to be gleaned.

But the video is a little creepy:

"I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride until I've died

And only then shall I abide this tide
Of catchy little tunes
Of hip three minute ditties
I want to bust all your balloons
I want to burn all of your cities
To the ground..."

________________________________

Oh, by the way, if the chord progression sounds familiar, Rob Paravonian will explain why (in hilarious fashion):

(the use of a classical composition with a "hook", and the fact that so many other hit songs ripped Pachelbel's chord progression, just adds to the brilliance of the song, don't you think?)

7-1-11 - "William Tell Overture" ~ Gioachino Rossini

You've heard this one, or at least parts of it.  Guaranteed.  It's the overture to a classic piece of classical music - the opera Guillaume Tell.  The third movement, "Call to the Cows", is fairly commonly used in various media outlets, so I bet you've heard it - kind of a "waking up on an early spring morning" feel, used in a Disney cartoon, and I'm pretty sure it was also used in a Bugs Bunny cartoon in that type of setting.  The fourth movement is the part you've definitely heard - it was the theme song for The Lone Ranger (Radio and TV programs), and is used in movies, TV, etc. and sampled by musicians for hip-hop tracks and whatnot.


The full 12-minute overture is good, with the slower first and third movements setting the stage for "The Storm" (second movement) and the finale (the Lone Ranger part) and their fast-paced excitement:


Here it is on Grooveshark:  "William Tell Overture"


You should also read up on the Legend of William Tell - he seems like he was a pretty cool dude, standing up against tyrannical rulers and whatnot.  Yea, he's the one who shot an apple off the head of his son with a crossbow, thanks to the tyrannical ruler's being a jerkface.  Pretty rad dude, that William Tell...

6-22-11 - "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart was a pretty amazing dude.  He was composing music by the time he was five, and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) composers in history.  I personally rank Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin right up there with him, and it's a pretty thin margin between them.


You've almost definitely heard this piece.  It's got a pretty recognizable opening that's been used in various movies, TV shows, etc. so it's probably tickled your ears on numerous occasions.


Here's the tune; it's officially known as Serenade No. 13 for Strings in G Major, and the German title translates to "A Little Serenade" or, literally, "A Little Night Music".  The video is actually only the first movement (the most recognizable), but I highly recommend the entire four-movement piece, which you can find in the Grooveshark link below.

Serenade No. 13 for Strings in G Major (Grooveshark)

4-27-11 - "Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5" ~ Sergei Rachmaninoff

If you don't like classical music, you haven't heard Rachmaninoff (or Beethoven, or Mozart, or Chopin, or Tchaikovsky, but I digress...)  This guy came up with some intense stuff on the piano, including this one.  I first heard this prelude back in high school, when my piano teacher had me learn to play a blend of it and the hymn "How Great Thou Art" for a competition.  I never did quite get it right, but it introduced me to a great composer's works.  Check it out; it's only a few minutes and you just might dig it:

Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5

3-13-11 "Moonlight Sonata" ~ Ludwig van Beethoven

I'm giving you something different tonight - a classic piece of classical music.  Even if you're not into classical music, you've probably heard the first movement of Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor" in a movie or something, as the popular name "Moonlight Sonata" is frequently used as a soundtrack.  Beethoven was one of the most incredible composers mankind has ever known, not only for his actual works, but for how he continued composing after going deaf.  His life story is well worth studying.  


The Moonlight Sonata is just one of many of his works which I love, but it's the one you're getting tonight.  It was dedicated to a young student of his, the Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, with whom Beethoven was said to have been in love.  The first movement is the part you'll likely recognize, the second movement acts as a bridge, and the third movement builds on the theme and just goes nuts.  This makes for good background music whilst reading or blogging or what have you, but it's also fun to actually watch the master pianist (Wilhelm Kempff) at work, as his hands are flying across the keys, and his facial expressions are quite impressive - you can tell his soul resonates with the notes he plays, and he throws in a couple humorous looks as well.


If you don't have the time or patience for 16 minutes of brilliance, I recommend at least catching the first movement (5 1/2 minutes) and hitting the 8:05 mark for a quick taste of the third movement.  


Classical music is not "boring" or "irrelevant" or dated.  Some classical pieces convey more about the human experience than the finest wordsmiths of our time could possibly hope to express.  Give it a listen, you might enjoy it more than you expect.


"Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor" (link to Google Video)