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!