Mendelssohn

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809 - 1847), known to most English speakers as simply Felix Mendelssohn, was nothing less than a genius. Born in Hamburg, Germany, this incredible pianist, organist, conductor, and composer created brilliant masterpieces during his lifetime. All of his works are worth listening to, but if you're going to just pick a couple, I'd recommend hearing his beautiful "Andante and Rondo Capriccioso" for solo piano (also on the RCM ARCT repertoire list, by the way), his very virtuosic "Violin Concerto in E-minor, Op. 64," and his well known Overture to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

They're brilliant, so get out and listen to them!

Or stay inside, by your computer, and have a listen to these YouTube links.

Andante and Rondo Capriccioso:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQngHGBI4ak

Violin Concerto in E-minor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCLxso5XDN4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3PJf4lAj0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0ixoV8mtc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2qZRocdXYU

Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h1MGAlkqno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37mLJzAsOEs&feature=related

Happy listening!

5 cm per second

Akari Shinohara: Hey... They say it's five centimeters per second.
Takaki Toono: What do you mean?
Akari Shinohara: The speed at which the sakura blossom petals fall... Five centimeters per second.

Those are the first lines of the amazing animated film "Five Centimeters per Second" directed by Makoto Shinkai. It's a heart warming story with incredible animation and beautiful music, too!

I strongly suggest that you watch the film.

Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxKn5AwOTis
Here's the YouTube link to Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCaAJ3BogE
And here's the sound track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XGpB3iPckg&feature=PlayList&p=A2F72A602FD52834&playnext_from=PL&playnext=12

Enjoy! :)

Medley!

My friend and I are making a medley for our Music Exam! We're going to be using piano and cello, but we don't know what songs to use -- any requests?

So far, we're starting off with "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, and then transitioning into "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. We're thinking of including "Viva la Vida" and maybe some songs by Train. What do you think?

Looking forward to this! :)

Finlandia

Music is powerful. Take one listen to Finlandia and that fact becomes startlingly obvious.

Here's the YouTube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgwr3wrenkQ

Enjoy!

Bach Cello Suites

Johann Bach's cello suites are quite possibly some of the most beautiful pieces ever written for the cello.

They have gorgeous chord progressions, wonderful fluidity, and a beautiful (usually quite calming) atmosphere.

So, give them a listen and enjoy!
Here's the Prelude to the first suite, as interpreted by Mischa Maisky...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6yuR8efotI

Men of Snow

With the beautiful snow melting away (not that we had that much this year anyways), it's fitting to be listening to Ingrid Michaelson's song "Men of Snow", one of the best and saddest songs ever written about a snowman.

It reminds me of the Christmas film "The Snowman". You can watch a clip of the film here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR1Ln-ctn5E

Ingrid Michaelson's song is magical and yet very sad. It's all about snowmen melt, and how we, like snowmen, will melt one day as well.

Here's her breathtaking lyrics:
Once, I made a man all out of snow.
He had the darkest eyes and a button nose.
I told him all my sadness and my fear,
And he just listened with a snowy ear.

But when I came around the next day,
My friend had gone and melted all away.
I saw his eyes lying on the ground,
And I made a sound that was something like crying.

Oh, one day you will go away from this.
Oh, one day you will know we're men of snow.
We melt
One day.

Winters come, my love, the winters go,
And time stacks up in piles like winter snow,
And everything you love and hold so dear --
It won't really matter when we disappear.

Oh, one day you will go away from this.
Oh, one day you will know we're men of snow.
We melt
One day.

Have a listen to the YouTube link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuNTdRMImdM

Beatstock -- A Success!

Our school's annual coffeehouse, Beatstock, was a superb success! It was on Friday, February 5th, from 6-8PM (although it went over time to about 9:30PM).

We raised over $2000 for Beatz to da Streetz, a fantastic organization that helps underpriveliged youth through music and self-expression. This year's coffeehouse is possibly the most successful Beatstock we've had ever. Almost all the seats were filled (and we had more seats than we usually do); some people were standing at the sides or sitting on the floor, even. Everyone had fun.

For more information about Beatz to da Streetz, take a look at their website: http://beatztodastreetz.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your support everyone!

Cello Choir

My school's cello ensemble, also known as our Cello Choir, has a new piece!

We're learning the aria from the fifth suite of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras.
I'm super excited to play this piece. It's gorgeous.

Have a listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_06B1SQjRRQ

P.S. Beatstock is in less than a week!

Beatstock, our coffeehouse music event

On Friday, February 5th, 2010, around 140 students from various schools will be coming together to celebrate music as we listen to student singers, bands, and other groups perform at Beatstock, our coffeehouse music event.

All proceeds raised will be used to support Beatz to da Streetz, a youth-led arts program that changes the lives of underprivileged teenagers through music. Beatz to da Streetz uses the power of music to promote those values through creative expression and self-discovery. The program reintegrates youth with their communities and provides support for achieving long-term livelihood development. Unfortunately, it is an under funded organization and is in need of support to expand and maintain their services.

At our coffeehouse, we will generate change with music as we build our community while helping Beatz to da Streetz.

You're welcome to come to this event! Check out our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=243994357019&ref=mf

For more information on Beatz to da Streetz, view their website:
http://beatztodastreetz.blogspot.com/

If you have any questions, please leave a comment. :)

Thank you!

Jason Mraz has it all.

Jason Mraz has a song called "Butterfly"... and it's not about butterflies. If anything it's about getting it on with his girl. The lyrics are damn sexy (or damn dirty, whichever you prefer), and the beat is really good too.

Unfortunately, it's hard to study when this song is playing. I keep listening to the lyrics and blushing at how much innuendo (is it even innuendo if it's that obvious?!) is in his words.

Take a listen to the mrazterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBlfs7ntovQ

"Butterfly" by Jason Mraz
I'm taking a moment just imaginin' that I'm dancin' with you.
I'm your pole and all you're wearing is your shoes.
You got soul. you know what to do to turn me on until I write a song about you.
And you have your own engaging style,
And you've got the knack to vivify,
And you make my slacks a little tight -- you may unfasten them if you like.
That's if you crash and spend the night.

But you don't fold, you don't fade.
You've got everything you need, especially me.
Sister, you've got it all.
You make the call to make my day.
In your message say my name.
Your talk is all the talk. Sister, you've got it all.

Curl your upper lip up and let me look around.
Ride your tongue along your bottom lip and bite down.
And bend your back and ask those hips if I can touch
Because they're the perfect jumping off point of getting closer to your

Butterfly!
Well you float on by.
Oh kiss me with your eyelashes tonight
Or Eskimo your nose real close to mine,
And let's mood the lights and finally make it right.
But you don't fold, you don't fade. you've got everything you need,
Especially me.
Sister, you've got it all.

You make the call to make my day.
In you message say my name.
Your talk is all the talk. Sister, you've got it all.
You've got it all, you've got it all, you've got it all [2x]

You've got it all, you've got it all.

Doll, I need to see you pull your knee socks up.
Let me feel you up!side down. Slide in, slide out, slide over here --
Climb into my mouth now.

Butterfly, well you landed on my mind.
Dammit you landed on my ear and then you crawled inside!
Now I see you perfectly behind closed eyes.
I wanna fly with you, and I don't wanna lie to you.
'Cause I, cause I can't recall a better day so
I'm coming to shine on the occasion.

You're an open minded lady,
You've got it all.
And I never forget a face
Except for maybe my own.
I have my days.
Let's face the fact here, it's you that's got it all.

You know that fortune favors the brave.
Well let me get paid while I make you breakfast.
The rest is up to you, you make the call.

You make the call to make my day.
In your message say my name.
Your talk is all the talk. sister, you've got it all.

Cause I can't recall a better day so
I'm coming to shine on the occasion.
You're a sophisticated lady. Oh, you've got it all.

You've got it all, you've got it all, you've got it all [3x]
You've got it all, you've got it all.

Butterfly, baby, well you've got it all

Regina Spektor Calls

Almost every morning at school we have "Prayers", which is basically assembly. The wonderful thing about Prayers is that there's always someone performing music as the students walk in and out of the assembly hall, as well as after the speaker is done his or her speech. While it's nice to start off your day listening to music, it's even better to start it off playing or singing.

In about a month, I will have the pleasure of accompanying (on the piano)one of the best singers in our school. I'm pretty excited! I've been listening to the songs she'll be singing in between Jason Mraz's "Butterfly" (he's got very sexy lyrics, BTW) and Ingrid Michaelson's "Maybe".

She'll be singing "The Call" by Regina Spektor, "A Bird's Song" by Ingrid Michaelson, and a "Hallelujah" arrangement by Leonard Cohen.

Ooh, I'm so excited!

Here's the YouTube link for "The Call":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUL3ut4gyQ

And the lyrics!

"The Call" by Regina Spektor
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope,
Which then turned into a quiet thought,
Which then turned into a quiet word.

And then that word grew louder and louder
Till it was a battle cry.
"I'll come back
When you call me.
No need to say goodbye."

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before.
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war.

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light.
You'll come back when it's over.
No need to say goodbye.

You'll come back when it's over.
No need to say goodbye.

Now we're back to the beginning --
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet.
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget.

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Till they're before your eyes.
You'll come back
When they call you.
No need to say goodbye.

You'll come back
When they call you.
No need to say goodbye.

Twelve Angry Men and a Phoenix Wright

I just finished reading "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose, and I loved it! The teleplay is about twelve jurors trying to come to a verdict in regards to a sixteen-year-old boy who supposedly murdered his father. The play starts with an initial vote between the jurors. It's 11-1, in favour of guilty.

There's only one man who believes that there's enough room for doubt. This one man, juror number eight, doesn't believe that the defendant is innocent. To contrast, Eight simply doesn't KNOW that the boy is guilty. Eight looks past prejudices in order to prolong the jury's decision. He is determined not to sentence the boy to death on the basis of assumption.

There's a similar video game for Nintendo DS called Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney which follows the story of a newbie defense attorney who fights for the truth. The entire while I was reading Rose's masterpiece, I had Phoenix Wright music playing in my head.

So here's a YouTube link to some of the music from the first game (Phoenix Wright has a whole series. A wonderful series.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3_VTviC5dc

I hope you enjoy the music. Hopefully you'll check out the games (they're really good!) and either read or watch "Twelve Angry Men".

"Boats and Birds" by Gregory and the Hawk

Earlier today, a couple of my friends came over. We sat down in my living room and sang while I played my guitar. The piece that we were singing is called "Boats and Birds" by Gregory and the Hawk. It's absolutely ethereal. One of my friends thought the lyrics were a bit too cheesy. What do you think?

Here's the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz5H3iVjAlw

"Boats and Birds" by Gregory and the Hawk
If you'll be my star, I'll be your sky.
You can hide underneath me and come out at night
When I turn jet black, and you show off your light.

I live to let you shine.
I live to let you shine.

You can sky rocket away from me
And never come back if you find another galaxy
Far from here, with more room to fly.
Just leave me your stardust to remember you by.

If you'll be my boat, I'll be your sea --
A depth of pure blue to probe curiosity.
Ebbing and flowing, and pushed by a breeze,

I live to make you free.
I live to make you free.

And you can set sail to the west if you want to --
Past the horizon 'til I can't even see you,
Far from here, where the beaches are wide.
Just leave me your wake to remember you by.

If you'll be my star, I'll be your sky.
You can hide underneath me and come out at night
When I turn jet black, and you show off your light.

I live to let you shine.
I live to let you shine.

You can sky rocket away from me
And never come back if you find another galaxy
Far from here, with more room to fly.
Just leave me your stardust to remember you by.

Stardust to remember you by...

Happy New Year! "Everybody wants to love" Ingrid Michaelson.

Happy New Year, everybody! A new year (and a new decade) provides the perfect opportunity to start a "new life" with new resolutions, new habits, and a new outlook on life. It's a time for making promises to one's self, and as such, it is the perfect time for self-discovery.

While self-discovery can be done just about anywhere, music can play a large role. Seeing as music has the ability to manipulate one's emotions, we can use music to put ourselves into a certain mood and a certain state of mind. For example, by listening to Ingrid Michaelson's "Everybody", we are put into a cheery mood. As such, we can make the resolution "to love more".

Here's the YouTube link for Ingrid's inspirational song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFCfkyuQM0

And here's the lyrics!

"Everybody" by Ingrid Michaelson
We have fallen down again tonight
In this world it's hard to get it right
Trying to make your heart fit like a glove
What it needs is love, love, love

Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Happy is the heart that still feels pain
Darkness drains and light will come again
Swing open your chest and let it in
Just let the love, love, love begin

Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Everybody knows the love
Everybody holds the love
Everybody folds for love
Everybody feels the love
Everybody steals the love
Everybody heals with love

Oh oh oh
Just let the love love love begin

Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh

Everybody, everybody wants to love
Everybody, everybody wants be to loved
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh