Running a few miles this morning and listening to music through my headphones, with the shuffle setting on my ipod, I realized that I was working harder to listen when the classical music was being played. Let me digress for a minute as I pontificate about the term classical. In most ways I do not like this term and prefer art music or cultured music or cultivated or academic music but as I write those various terms, I found myself in personal disagreement since each term feels somewhat exclusionary. My dream, naive as it may be, is to embrace the totality of music with its myriad styles, instrumentation, background, and variety. But realistically that dream defies the idea of creating categories and labels. Are we a society of labeling and compartmentalization? Absolutely, but this is another subject for another day.
And so I return once again to the term classical knowing the fundamental flaws of the term. Classical music has a small but appreciative audience these days. I contend that some of the problem is related to our constant mobility and sound byte mentality. We love music as a society and can hear virtually anything at a moment's notice. We may only have 3-5 minutes to hear something or we might prefer sound while doing another activity. Classical music by its nature demands concentrated listening and a quiet environment. It tends to be sensitive, complicated, emotional, dramatic, and unpredictable. Classical music is also primarily acoustic, meaning that live instruments, real humans, have generated the sounds being heard. A great sound space with ideal acoustics allows for real human experience that is not electronically delivered.
Back to running. So I am listening to my iPod which is an app on my iPhone while pounding the pavement with my feet. It is sort of a fun adventure to hear the next selection since I have no idea what that will be. It could be a Michael Jackson song or a Stravinsky ballet or a part of a film score by Lalo Schifrin or a cowboy song by Michael Martin Murphey. Or it could be a Rachmaninoff symphony or a Claude Bolling jazz piece. Or a beautiful piano treatment of a Michel Legrand piece. The player "shuffles" around giving me something from my listening library. All great fun.
But in truth, as much as I love Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Corigliano, and Brahms, I have a difficult time enjoying their music while running. It is too expressive with too great a dynamic range. I strain to hear the softs and dread hearing the louds. I suddenly start worrying about the volume and cannot enjoy the music from constantly adjusting it. Plus my love of the sounds of Corigliano is without realization due to my huffing and puffing while running. Classical music does not work for every situation. Its power and expression, its complexity, its demands are not suited for driving, running, outdoor events, even social engagements are questionable. Our mobile world demands sound that is balanced, pulsated, electronically generated, and all one dynamic. Our lives ask for selections that are about 3 minutes--more than that does not fit our lifestyle. Classical music is losing the battle due its very nature!
I hit the pavement for a run and hope that I don't hear Rachmaninoff this time. I run better to Michael Jackson with its rock beat and driving rhythms. I must apologize to classical music--you are better for another day and time.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Some more economic concerns
Reading an article on the demise of several commonplace items, I remain concerned about the economy, particularly as related to the long-term future. Things are changing and much of it relates to the burgeoning usage of technology and its far-ranging benefits. Some of it also relates to people and how society will respond to various opportunities. Know that I am generally optimistic about the future, confident that initiative, ingenuity, and creativity will correct the growing economic concerns. Yet for the short haul, the economic challenges are likely to continue. What follows may seem trivial in some ways until we think of the mass globalization of the products and the changes thereto.
Television sets. We are nearing the point when episodes, concerts, and unlimited movies are available on tablet computers, internet resources, cell phones, and virtually any electronic device with access to the net. The result of this kind of instant entertainment may likely be similar to holding a book or keeping a wallet with you at at all times. This may devalue those wonderful moments of group movie watching family get togethers for television show, but with projection and a computer, and with all movies and shows available with a click or two, the idea of a television set is mobile. Anywhere, anytime. There may be a day when the television is a horse and buggy.
Watches. Sitting in the waiting room at the oil change place, I glanced at cell phone to check the time. A man I did not know began to chuckle and mentioned that he quit wearing his watch several months earlier due to looking at his phone for the time. Without realizing it, I was doing the same thing. I came home, took off my nice watch, placed it in the drawer, and have not worn it since. My watch is my phone. No longer concerned with finding my watch in the mornings, awkwardly putting it around my wrist, and worrying about it catching on something in the day, I now do not need it. Watch sells are plummeting and people are beginning to recognize they do not need a watch. Obviously some still prefer a watch on the wrist, and many treat a watch as a form of a decoration such as a necklace or a ring. But the future for watches is dismal, being replaced by mobile technology.
Wallets. This one is still out of my reach since I use my wallet for so much including carrying cash, pictures, credit cards, gift cards, drivers license, and various discount cards. But with a cash free world right around the corner, and with scanning systems that rival real physical cards, there is no doubt that the future of the wallet is at stake. Most, if not all cards, can be be on a cell phone and there is no need for real-time swiping with accuracte access codes. Pictures and licenses can all be on a cell phone not to mention codes and apps for almost anything needed.
If we then consider the factories, the workers, the multitude of tasks required to make the three products mentioned, and we add in packaging, delivery, shelf space, repairmen, parts, time spent, we suddenly realize the dramatic economic change that technology is exacting on the world. It all takes its toll on labor, on supply and demand, and ultimately the economy.
Television sets. We are nearing the point when episodes, concerts, and unlimited movies are available on tablet computers, internet resources, cell phones, and virtually any electronic device with access to the net. The result of this kind of instant entertainment may likely be similar to holding a book or keeping a wallet with you at at all times. This may devalue those wonderful moments of group movie watching family get togethers for television show, but with projection and a computer, and with all movies and shows available with a click or two, the idea of a television set is mobile. Anywhere, anytime. There may be a day when the television is a horse and buggy.
Watches. Sitting in the waiting room at the oil change place, I glanced at cell phone to check the time. A man I did not know began to chuckle and mentioned that he quit wearing his watch several months earlier due to looking at his phone for the time. Without realizing it, I was doing the same thing. I came home, took off my nice watch, placed it in the drawer, and have not worn it since. My watch is my phone. No longer concerned with finding my watch in the mornings, awkwardly putting it around my wrist, and worrying about it catching on something in the day, I now do not need it. Watch sells are plummeting and people are beginning to recognize they do not need a watch. Obviously some still prefer a watch on the wrist, and many treat a watch as a form of a decoration such as a necklace or a ring. But the future for watches is dismal, being replaced by mobile technology.
Wallets. This one is still out of my reach since I use my wallet for so much including carrying cash, pictures, credit cards, gift cards, drivers license, and various discount cards. But with a cash free world right around the corner, and with scanning systems that rival real physical cards, there is no doubt that the future of the wallet is at stake. Most, if not all cards, can be be on a cell phone and there is no need for real-time swiping with accuracte access codes. Pictures and licenses can all be on a cell phone not to mention codes and apps for almost anything needed.
If we then consider the factories, the workers, the multitude of tasks required to make the three products mentioned, and we add in packaging, delivery, shelf space, repairmen, parts, time spent, we suddenly realize the dramatic economic change that technology is exacting on the world. It all takes its toll on labor, on supply and demand, and ultimately the economy.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A word about Judas--Lady Gaga
Listening again to Judas by Lady Gaga, I have decided to express myself a little about this song and the video. At this point, most of my friends will probably give up on me and wonder if I have lost my head this time. Why in the world would I take any time at all to discuss something like this video?
For one thing, I think we in the classical world, working hard to help future musicians, cannot ignore nor should we ignore mass popular appeal. We need to address, consider it, reject it if necessary, embrace it at times, and mostly exam it. We also need to wrestle with several concepts that popular music presents, especially the overall sound, style, and texts. Do we need to spend all our time analyzing this music and discussing why it is popular among youth? Likely not. There are too many things to learn in the musical world and residing on one song or one type of music is educationally weak. Yet here is my analytical side coming through as I struggle to understand the appeal of this song. Mostly I have to wonder if this song is "good" for society? Bad for society? Or simply another song with little lasting value?
Lady Gaga is a fine singer with an diverse voice, full range, and lots of vocal energy. She sings with a slight reedy quality that is engaging and has a bluesy approach that is captivating. Her lows and highs are well-balanced and her hint of an unusual accent gives her a personal connection--almost as though she is communicating to individuals in a small setting. Her voice is pleasant and likeable.
She is also a fine song-writer with interesting ideas, nice melodies, rhythmic pulse, and harmonies that while a little predictable are several notches above most popular music heard on the radio today. I really enjoy the opening chorus idea, moving into the verse later. I also enjoy the moment of note repetition that then soars to a singable melody. She has an innate understanding of melody, of when to sustain and when to move quickly. Her band is terrific and aside from the non-stop pounding of the beat and the roar of guitars (both things that bore me after a few minutes), they seem to work well together and serve the best of the music. Overall Lady Gaga is a good musician, maybe not on the par with Stevie Wonder or even Elton John but maybe getting there someday.
As a dancer, she is average and a little awkward. Michael Jackson was amazing for sure. Lady Gaga is not. She almost looks uncomfortable dancing and gyrating about on stage and she struggles to keep her motions in sync with the others and with the music. Somewhat leggy and gangly, she is much more comfortable behind a piano where her fingers do the dancing. More on this later.
The stage antics. These are overall okay, sort of creative at times with funny costumes (remember Cher and Elton John!), eggs, fire, risers, face paint, all designed to get your attention. None of it appeals to me, but I suppose in our visual world, most successful performers need a visual gimic. I wonder if she comes up with this stuff or if her managers sit around trying to think of the next crazed look. Not sure. Her presentation is highly energized, creative, and a little unique at this time demonstrating that she is not inhibited at all and holds back very little in her concerts. This again gives her a connection to everyone present as though she is willing to share her musicianship with all the individuals in the room.
Now as far as the song Judas goes, I think it is an okay song. It sounds to me like a sidewise version of Bad Romance, the same structure, same minor chorus, the same guttural sounds of roaring and uhhhing. The catchy phrases are similar and it is easy to dictate on paper the melodies being sung. It is a fun, energetic song that interests me a little for its musical content. The words are another matter. What do they mean? Is this offensive to a Christian? At first I thought so, but further examination and I am not so sure. They seem nonsensical to me, so I am not sure what the purpose is? Are we supposed to laud and respect Judas for his betrayal of our Lord? Or are we saying he is a demon and we should filter out demons in our lives? I honestly cannot tell what any of this means. Because of that, I have decided not to be offended, but to remain confused!
I would prefer Lady Gaga not try to mix religious icons in her performances (of course, she does so to push the envelope and get attention), but I suppose that for me I just simply do not take her presentation very seriously. I like her voice and like parts of her music, but am somewhat indifferent to the other things.
If you are now curious, simply go to Youtube and search for Lady Gaga Judas and you will find several videos.
What I look forward to is the day she stops the junk on the stage, goes to the piano and begins to sing the old ballads from the 40s-70s! That is when we will hear the magic in her voice.
For one thing, I think we in the classical world, working hard to help future musicians, cannot ignore nor should we ignore mass popular appeal. We need to address, consider it, reject it if necessary, embrace it at times, and mostly exam it. We also need to wrestle with several concepts that popular music presents, especially the overall sound, style, and texts. Do we need to spend all our time analyzing this music and discussing why it is popular among youth? Likely not. There are too many things to learn in the musical world and residing on one song or one type of music is educationally weak. Yet here is my analytical side coming through as I struggle to understand the appeal of this song. Mostly I have to wonder if this song is "good" for society? Bad for society? Or simply another song with little lasting value?
Lady Gaga is a fine singer with an diverse voice, full range, and lots of vocal energy. She sings with a slight reedy quality that is engaging and has a bluesy approach that is captivating. Her lows and highs are well-balanced and her hint of an unusual accent gives her a personal connection--almost as though she is communicating to individuals in a small setting. Her voice is pleasant and likeable.
She is also a fine song-writer with interesting ideas, nice melodies, rhythmic pulse, and harmonies that while a little predictable are several notches above most popular music heard on the radio today. I really enjoy the opening chorus idea, moving into the verse later. I also enjoy the moment of note repetition that then soars to a singable melody. She has an innate understanding of melody, of when to sustain and when to move quickly. Her band is terrific and aside from the non-stop pounding of the beat and the roar of guitars (both things that bore me after a few minutes), they seem to work well together and serve the best of the music. Overall Lady Gaga is a good musician, maybe not on the par with Stevie Wonder or even Elton John but maybe getting there someday.
As a dancer, she is average and a little awkward. Michael Jackson was amazing for sure. Lady Gaga is not. She almost looks uncomfortable dancing and gyrating about on stage and she struggles to keep her motions in sync with the others and with the music. Somewhat leggy and gangly, she is much more comfortable behind a piano where her fingers do the dancing. More on this later.
The stage antics. These are overall okay, sort of creative at times with funny costumes (remember Cher and Elton John!), eggs, fire, risers, face paint, all designed to get your attention. None of it appeals to me, but I suppose in our visual world, most successful performers need a visual gimic. I wonder if she comes up with this stuff or if her managers sit around trying to think of the next crazed look. Not sure. Her presentation is highly energized, creative, and a little unique at this time demonstrating that she is not inhibited at all and holds back very little in her concerts. This again gives her a connection to everyone present as though she is willing to share her musicianship with all the individuals in the room.
Now as far as the song Judas goes, I think it is an okay song. It sounds to me like a sidewise version of Bad Romance, the same structure, same minor chorus, the same guttural sounds of roaring and uhhhing. The catchy phrases are similar and it is easy to dictate on paper the melodies being sung. It is a fun, energetic song that interests me a little for its musical content. The words are another matter. What do they mean? Is this offensive to a Christian? At first I thought so, but further examination and I am not so sure. They seem nonsensical to me, so I am not sure what the purpose is? Are we supposed to laud and respect Judas for his betrayal of our Lord? Or are we saying he is a demon and we should filter out demons in our lives? I honestly cannot tell what any of this means. Because of that, I have decided not to be offended, but to remain confused!
I would prefer Lady Gaga not try to mix religious icons in her performances (of course, she does so to push the envelope and get attention), but I suppose that for me I just simply do not take her presentation very seriously. I like her voice and like parts of her music, but am somewhat indifferent to the other things.
If you are now curious, simply go to Youtube and search for Lady Gaga Judas and you will find several videos.
What I look forward to is the day she stops the junk on the stage, goes to the piano and begins to sing the old ballads from the 40s-70s! That is when we will hear the magic in her voice.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Economy, Sports, Exercise
Those Mavericks were really something the other night, winning the championship and once again surging in the 4th quarter. Not an obsessed fan, but nevertheless always enjoying a good game, I was glued to the set and responded emotionally to every play. Great game for sure. And I love to see an exciting sports game of almost any kind. Good athletes are artists in a way with their ability to jump, shoot, run, move quickly, react, hit, throw--always impressive.
The economy is confusing me right now. Just read about the housing bust taking place in our country with values dropping almost daily and foreclosures at a high level. Visited with several unemployed people yesterday going about town hoping for nearly any job that is available. Unemployment is frightening on several levels as they seek to put food on the table, pay the rent, support themselves and their spouses in some instances.
Father's Day is coming up and I just read about the exhorbitant spending for iPads and accessories. The iGrill app is $99 and is selling rampantly right now, not to mention all the little stands and additions for the iPad. Plus most iPads are over $500 and supposedly 12 million have been sold the last couple of years. Hmmm...how does this demonstrate a struggling economy? On the other hand, I do love my iPad.
Took a break for a few minutes and ran a mile in 9 1/4 minutes. Now to me I felt as though I were sprinting the whole time, but to a real runner or an athlete my time is laughable especially considering how many run miles in under 5 minutes these days. Yesterday I ran a slow 3 miles but today I went for speed over distance and it felt good. Tomorrow will be another 3 mile run. My days of football playing are long over (okay, they never really started!) and my basketball game is pretty weak and clumsy. But I like to stay in shape and believe that life sports and exercise are valuable. Truthfully I don't enjoy exercising very much, huffing and puffing, muscles aching, losing time to read or write or practice, but I suppose it is all good for me. As a friend told me once--after a workout, you feel like you took a happy pill!
With the awful economy and unemployment and housing foreclosures and people struggling everywhere, how do we as a society justify the vast amount of money spent on professional and collegiate sports, for that matter even high school sports? I just read where collegiate spending has increased and we all hear about college head coaches making salaries beyond most Presidents. Add to this the stadiums, the trips, the meals, the uniforms, the facilities, and we see spending that is mind-boggling. A recent trip to experience a commencement at a large state school reminded me of the millions spent on upgrading the stadium, which is absolutely stunning in all respects.
Again, let me reiterate how much I love a good game and do not begrudge the success of others or the success of any discipline. As a believer in the free market system of supply and demand, I must conclude that sports is in high demand at all levels thereby resulting in a great supply. As long as we as a society are willing to pay to see a game, there will always be a game to see. As long as we encourage, support, and believe in sports, there will be money poured into it. If people are willing to spend over a thousand dollars to sit in a parking lot and watch a football game on the screen, a game taking place in the nearby stadium, there will be sports.
Yes, I enjoy it, maybe not enough to spend that much money to sit in a parking lot, but certainly enough to be a fan and spend some money for the entertainment of organized sports. Yes, I do keep up with the great players and love hearing statistics, those Reds are going to have a good season if they keep up the pitching. Colleges and Universities have gained greatly from the spirit and energy of their sports teams, a concept that somehow unifies and defines colleges throughout the country. Yet, I have to wonder a little at the excesses I see, and I have to wonder a little if it is bubble about to burst?
What if our energies, our money, our fun were spent on life health, on education, on relationships, on families, on the arts, or on pursuing Godly matters? How would these and more affect our economy, our culture, our world?
Keep the great teams playing, keep the athletes moving, keep the entertainment of sports, but as Aristotle once said, "Moderation in all things."
The economy is confusing me right now. Just read about the housing bust taking place in our country with values dropping almost daily and foreclosures at a high level. Visited with several unemployed people yesterday going about town hoping for nearly any job that is available. Unemployment is frightening on several levels as they seek to put food on the table, pay the rent, support themselves and their spouses in some instances.
Father's Day is coming up and I just read about the exhorbitant spending for iPads and accessories. The iGrill app is $99 and is selling rampantly right now, not to mention all the little stands and additions for the iPad. Plus most iPads are over $500 and supposedly 12 million have been sold the last couple of years. Hmmm...how does this demonstrate a struggling economy? On the other hand, I do love my iPad.
Took a break for a few minutes and ran a mile in 9 1/4 minutes. Now to me I felt as though I were sprinting the whole time, but to a real runner or an athlete my time is laughable especially considering how many run miles in under 5 minutes these days. Yesterday I ran a slow 3 miles but today I went for speed over distance and it felt good. Tomorrow will be another 3 mile run. My days of football playing are long over (okay, they never really started!) and my basketball game is pretty weak and clumsy. But I like to stay in shape and believe that life sports and exercise are valuable. Truthfully I don't enjoy exercising very much, huffing and puffing, muscles aching, losing time to read or write or practice, but I suppose it is all good for me. As a friend told me once--after a workout, you feel like you took a happy pill!
With the awful economy and unemployment and housing foreclosures and people struggling everywhere, how do we as a society justify the vast amount of money spent on professional and collegiate sports, for that matter even high school sports? I just read where collegiate spending has increased and we all hear about college head coaches making salaries beyond most Presidents. Add to this the stadiums, the trips, the meals, the uniforms, the facilities, and we see spending that is mind-boggling. A recent trip to experience a commencement at a large state school reminded me of the millions spent on upgrading the stadium, which is absolutely stunning in all respects.
Again, let me reiterate how much I love a good game and do not begrudge the success of others or the success of any discipline. As a believer in the free market system of supply and demand, I must conclude that sports is in high demand at all levels thereby resulting in a great supply. As long as we as a society are willing to pay to see a game, there will always be a game to see. As long as we encourage, support, and believe in sports, there will be money poured into it. If people are willing to spend over a thousand dollars to sit in a parking lot and watch a football game on the screen, a game taking place in the nearby stadium, there will be sports.
Yes, I enjoy it, maybe not enough to spend that much money to sit in a parking lot, but certainly enough to be a fan and spend some money for the entertainment of organized sports. Yes, I do keep up with the great players and love hearing statistics, those Reds are going to have a good season if they keep up the pitching. Colleges and Universities have gained greatly from the spirit and energy of their sports teams, a concept that somehow unifies and defines colleges throughout the country. Yet, I have to wonder a little at the excesses I see, and I have to wonder a little if it is bubble about to burst?
What if our energies, our money, our fun were spent on life health, on education, on relationships, on families, on the arts, or on pursuing Godly matters? How would these and more affect our economy, our culture, our world?
Keep the great teams playing, keep the athletes moving, keep the entertainment of sports, but as Aristotle once said, "Moderation in all things."
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Just a few thoughts today
Having returned from Ruidoso, New Mexico where the family visited to watch my Aunt get married, I am once again thinking about the complexity and joys of the musical world. A friend recently played an all Brahms concert with an orchestra where he experienced the Brahms Serenade in D, a movement of Brahms Symphony No. 4, and parts of the German Requiem. All great music and worth hearing for sure. I am encouraged that a community gathering wanted to hear music by the great master rather than relying on all popular music to reach the masses.
Sometimes I think we are too quick to find music that casts a wide net of influence and pleasure for people. It is nice to program great music that has withstood the test of time and is considered some of finest music written. So kudos to the community that supported the recent Brahms concert. May others continue to do the same. Keep Brahms alive!
But at the same time, whatever music was selected, I am glad that live music is still regarded for its emotional power and content. While we know that art music tends to reach an older audience, and that appreciation for it comes over time, it is mainly comforting to know that audiences will support the arts even if those occurrences are fairly rare. There are magnificent musicians working daily to hone their craft in order to have the opportunity to perform at a high level. Without those opportunities, the musicians will have no outlet and more importantly no economic support for their chosen profession.
But herein lies the dilemma: supply and demand will determine the course for the arts in the future and we must remain sensitive to this fact. The audience for classical art music is very small and the more trained musicians alienate themselves from popular music, the smaller the audience will be. It is time to draw eclectically from the vast array of music and present a mosaic of musical colors to the audiences of today. That may include a Brahms concert or it could include a Bach organ concert or Mozart or Beethoven. But it also may be some Stevie Wonder or Lady Gaga or Broadway musicals or Eric Clapton. All of it is worth exploring. Let's don't lose the Brahms, but let's also don't lose the audience.
Speaking of Lady Gaga, I am a fan. Taking away the antics, the trickery, the questionable moral fiber, the latest fad, the visual excesses, and you have a fine musician. She has a wonderful blues, velvety voice with great range and communication, interesting melodic lines, high energy, and intriguing harmonic motion in her music. I anticipate the day when she gives up on the crazed presentation and simply becomes a piano playing singer. She is really outstanding and will one day be a fine song interpreter of her own music as well as others.
New Mexico was nice but very dry and hot. Ruidoso feels generally dusty without the magic I once remembered from my childhood. A little rain would refresh that land, giving it the charm it had many years ago. For now though the people seem nervous about fires and the lack of water. But we still had a nice time with the family. Lots of good food, fun games, reading, and just being together. My aunt got married in a brief but very nice ceremony where she looked beautiful and glowed with joy. It was also great to see my very successful cousin at this celebration event. He exudes confidence and contentment in his demeanor and totally at ease with himself. Great guy in all respects.
Finished two books recently and nearing a third completion. Wrote two reviews and about to start a third one. Meanwhile I am working on a new piece of music, getting ready to play a horn concerto, continuing some research in African-American music, and trying to reorganize my book I am writing. Lots to do these days.
Sometimes I think we are too quick to find music that casts a wide net of influence and pleasure for people. It is nice to program great music that has withstood the test of time and is considered some of finest music written. So kudos to the community that supported the recent Brahms concert. May others continue to do the same. Keep Brahms alive!
But at the same time, whatever music was selected, I am glad that live music is still regarded for its emotional power and content. While we know that art music tends to reach an older audience, and that appreciation for it comes over time, it is mainly comforting to know that audiences will support the arts even if those occurrences are fairly rare. There are magnificent musicians working daily to hone their craft in order to have the opportunity to perform at a high level. Without those opportunities, the musicians will have no outlet and more importantly no economic support for their chosen profession.
But herein lies the dilemma: supply and demand will determine the course for the arts in the future and we must remain sensitive to this fact. The audience for classical art music is very small and the more trained musicians alienate themselves from popular music, the smaller the audience will be. It is time to draw eclectically from the vast array of music and present a mosaic of musical colors to the audiences of today. That may include a Brahms concert or it could include a Bach organ concert or Mozart or Beethoven. But it also may be some Stevie Wonder or Lady Gaga or Broadway musicals or Eric Clapton. All of it is worth exploring. Let's don't lose the Brahms, but let's also don't lose the audience.
Speaking of Lady Gaga, I am a fan. Taking away the antics, the trickery, the questionable moral fiber, the latest fad, the visual excesses, and you have a fine musician. She has a wonderful blues, velvety voice with great range and communication, interesting melodic lines, high energy, and intriguing harmonic motion in her music. I anticipate the day when she gives up on the crazed presentation and simply becomes a piano playing singer. She is really outstanding and will one day be a fine song interpreter of her own music as well as others.
New Mexico was nice but very dry and hot. Ruidoso feels generally dusty without the magic I once remembered from my childhood. A little rain would refresh that land, giving it the charm it had many years ago. For now though the people seem nervous about fires and the lack of water. But we still had a nice time with the family. Lots of good food, fun games, reading, and just being together. My aunt got married in a brief but very nice ceremony where she looked beautiful and glowed with joy. It was also great to see my very successful cousin at this celebration event. He exudes confidence and contentment in his demeanor and totally at ease with himself. Great guy in all respects.
Finished two books recently and nearing a third completion. Wrote two reviews and about to start a third one. Meanwhile I am working on a new piece of music, getting ready to play a horn concerto, continuing some research in African-American music, and trying to reorganize my book I am writing. Lots to do these days.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Horn Shopping
Went horn shopping today at Houghton Horns in Ft. Worth/Keller area. Took youngest son Jordan and student from Eastland Karley Simmons. They both ended up with nice horns after a day of trying various instruments and two happy horn players are now home practicing!
I enjoyed the day immensely, even got in a little bit of book shopping and completed my collection of Jeff Shaara books, and was treated to an opportunity to play several different horns. Each horn is slightly different in terms of shape, design, style, sound, tuning, and yes price. I love the warmth of the Alexander but am intrigued with the power of the Conn 3D. I can sense the sparkle of a Yamaha and revel in the precision of a Hoyer. All great horns for sure. But then the magic arrived.
The owner brought out a small Alexander horn that looked quite old and somehow different. He then held it out to me and said it was once owned by Dennis Brain. My eyes bugged out and my hands suddenly felt sweaty and awkward as I looked upon an instrument once touched by a master. Dennis Brain died in a tragic auto accident exactly 3 years before I was born. He was a marvel of horn playing with a beauty of phrasing, accuracy, charm, and technique rarely equaled even by today's standards. A lighter style of playing, Dennis Brain approached horn playing with ease and joy, as though the horn world were completely at his fingertips, commanding each note and each nuance with total confidence.
I informed the owner that I was not worthy to touch the instrument and he smiled and said that's what he said as well. Finally in abject humility I held the horn and began to play it. Nice instrument, very responsive and fun. Sort of playful in feel and instant joy. Like a happy, barking puppy ready to play! I loved the instrument and spent some time reflecting on the incredibly fantastic but short career of the master horn artist Dennis Brain. His Mozart Horn Concerto recording remains one of my favorite recordings of all time.
My own playing is a little weak right now, having not practiced enough lately. But I can hold my own when in shape. I heartily enjoy playing my horn and receive great satisfaction in playing, a kind of security blanket of happiness that musicians can appreciate. When I pick up a horn, particularly my own Alexander, I feel very much at home with my old friend and am ready to make music. In spite of my eclectic career that is now more or less administrative, I plan to be a horn player until the end, if for no other reason than it is great fun.
Back to horn shopping. We had a good day at the shop and it made me miss my horn obsessed days. It can really get in your blood. The owner of the shop was very helpful, quite knowledgable, and generously patient with us as we played horns. I am smiling when I think about the moment I cranked up the volume and heard the dog whine! Mostly I'm happy Jordan and Karley ended up with some good horns. Kudos to all the horn players in the world that keep this great instrument alive!
I enjoyed the day immensely, even got in a little bit of book shopping and completed my collection of Jeff Shaara books, and was treated to an opportunity to play several different horns. Each horn is slightly different in terms of shape, design, style, sound, tuning, and yes price. I love the warmth of the Alexander but am intrigued with the power of the Conn 3D. I can sense the sparkle of a Yamaha and revel in the precision of a Hoyer. All great horns for sure. But then the magic arrived.
The owner brought out a small Alexander horn that looked quite old and somehow different. He then held it out to me and said it was once owned by Dennis Brain. My eyes bugged out and my hands suddenly felt sweaty and awkward as I looked upon an instrument once touched by a master. Dennis Brain died in a tragic auto accident exactly 3 years before I was born. He was a marvel of horn playing with a beauty of phrasing, accuracy, charm, and technique rarely equaled even by today's standards. A lighter style of playing, Dennis Brain approached horn playing with ease and joy, as though the horn world were completely at his fingertips, commanding each note and each nuance with total confidence.
I informed the owner that I was not worthy to touch the instrument and he smiled and said that's what he said as well. Finally in abject humility I held the horn and began to play it. Nice instrument, very responsive and fun. Sort of playful in feel and instant joy. Like a happy, barking puppy ready to play! I loved the instrument and spent some time reflecting on the incredibly fantastic but short career of the master horn artist Dennis Brain. His Mozart Horn Concerto recording remains one of my favorite recordings of all time.
My own playing is a little weak right now, having not practiced enough lately. But I can hold my own when in shape. I heartily enjoy playing my horn and receive great satisfaction in playing, a kind of security blanket of happiness that musicians can appreciate. When I pick up a horn, particularly my own Alexander, I feel very much at home with my old friend and am ready to make music. In spite of my eclectic career that is now more or less administrative, I plan to be a horn player until the end, if for no other reason than it is great fun.
Back to horn shopping. We had a good day at the shop and it made me miss my horn obsessed days. It can really get in your blood. The owner of the shop was very helpful, quite knowledgable, and generously patient with us as we played horns. I am smiling when I think about the moment I cranked up the volume and heard the dog whine! Mostly I'm happy Jordan and Karley ended up with some good horns. Kudos to all the horn players in the world that keep this great instrument alive!
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Books and Life
Reading seven different books right now and alternating between them. This is a form of Attention Deficit Disorder caused by the some kind of inherent weakness, the tendency to jack rabbit between projects and avoid completion. Yet it is kind of fun and each book meets some kind of niche for reading. Fiction and non-fiction, old and new, it's all great.
Sure is dry and windy outside. The grass is brown and crackly with large divets in the terrain. Reminds me of when our youngest son Jordan was about 6 and started a club called the "Alberticus" club. The goal was to look inside the cracks in the ground and see if any animals or insects lived in the cracks. He named the club after his grandfather Albert Tucker. Not sure if he had any members though.
A child's perspective is special and based partly on his size and partly on his experience. Living in the desert of New Mexico, I recall being a child of 5 and stepping out on our front porch one morning. In the corner of the porch, near the railing was a black furry creature. Intrigued but a little nervous, I went back inside, woke up Mom and Dad and told them a baby bear was on the porch. Now of course there were no baby bears in that part of New Mexico and besides a baby bear would be about the size of a 5 year old child. But in my perspective, the creature was black and furry making it a baby bear. And as we learned from Walt Disney, we were not supposed to play with baby bears since their mothers would be angry.
My parents looked at each other rather curiously and Dad headed out to the front porch. Glancing at the furry object, he grabbed a boot and disposed of the large black turantula! It was all rather adventurous to a 5 year old.
Reading "Is God a Christian" by R. Kirby Godsey and enjoying the ecumenical view of the author. Also reading through short stories by Reynolds Price, an outstanding writer whose personal approach is uncomfortably vulnerable and sensitive but also gentle. Still trying to get through the massive book by Ken Follett called "Fall of Giants." Strong writing but a little bit lacking in personal connection. "Passport to Peril" by Robert Parker (not of detective story fame) is an older spy novel setting in post WWII times. Kind of Graham Greene in style but very concise and entertaining. "The Alto Wore Tweed" is a Kindle download written by Mark Schweizer. Very fun, light detective reading with musical and religious allusions. Good for several smiles that's for sure. Still trying to finish another biography of Theodore Roosevelt. Should be done this week. Found another Robert Parker (different from the Passport Robert Parker) I hadn't read so jumped in and got through nearly half the book.
Had a bad day yesterday due partly to my own making. Started rough by not sleeping well and then running nearly 3 miles and felt terrible. Spent the rest of the day not making great decisions. I'll need to fix some problems next week. I guess not every day is a perfect day. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes. Life sure is humbling at times.
Sure is dry and windy outside. The grass is brown and crackly with large divets in the terrain. Reminds me of when our youngest son Jordan was about 6 and started a club called the "Alberticus" club. The goal was to look inside the cracks in the ground and see if any animals or insects lived in the cracks. He named the club after his grandfather Albert Tucker. Not sure if he had any members though.
A child's perspective is special and based partly on his size and partly on his experience. Living in the desert of New Mexico, I recall being a child of 5 and stepping out on our front porch one morning. In the corner of the porch, near the railing was a black furry creature. Intrigued but a little nervous, I went back inside, woke up Mom and Dad and told them a baby bear was on the porch. Now of course there were no baby bears in that part of New Mexico and besides a baby bear would be about the size of a 5 year old child. But in my perspective, the creature was black and furry making it a baby bear. And as we learned from Walt Disney, we were not supposed to play with baby bears since their mothers would be angry.
My parents looked at each other rather curiously and Dad headed out to the front porch. Glancing at the furry object, he grabbed a boot and disposed of the large black turantula! It was all rather adventurous to a 5 year old.
Reading "Is God a Christian" by R. Kirby Godsey and enjoying the ecumenical view of the author. Also reading through short stories by Reynolds Price, an outstanding writer whose personal approach is uncomfortably vulnerable and sensitive but also gentle. Still trying to get through the massive book by Ken Follett called "Fall of Giants." Strong writing but a little bit lacking in personal connection. "Passport to Peril" by Robert Parker (not of detective story fame) is an older spy novel setting in post WWII times. Kind of Graham Greene in style but very concise and entertaining. "The Alto Wore Tweed" is a Kindle download written by Mark Schweizer. Very fun, light detective reading with musical and religious allusions. Good for several smiles that's for sure. Still trying to finish another biography of Theodore Roosevelt. Should be done this week. Found another Robert Parker (different from the Passport Robert Parker) I hadn't read so jumped in and got through nearly half the book.
Had a bad day yesterday due partly to my own making. Started rough by not sleeping well and then running nearly 3 miles and felt terrible. Spent the rest of the day not making great decisions. I'll need to fix some problems next week. I guess not every day is a perfect day. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes. Life sure is humbling at times.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Liebestod, Beethoven, and Brahms
The incredible moment arrived and the grand 6-5 appogiatura captured my heart once again followed by the unnerving and relentlessly pulsating anticipations of the progressive melody in Liebestod. Suffering from what I have identified as analytical boredom from particular pieces of music, a malady that consists of hearing something, understanding it, and then no longer being interested in it, I have never grown tired of hearing Liebestod by Richard Wagner. It is one of and perhaps my favorite piece of music in all of music literature. Listening to the remarkable counterpoint of augmentation and diminution, thematic alteration, and expansive melodic lines is to hear the music within the music. Hearing it is to be transformed to another world, a sublimely perfect world made of everything beautiful and enchanting, a world of hope and peace and a world of perfect purity in all things. Every time I hear Liebestod, I experience an indescribable emotion that somehow alters and improves the inner being. A work of musical art unequaled and sitting on a throne of beauty.
Some of Beethoven affects me nearly as much and some of Brahms as well. I enjoy the music of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and yes even Lady Gaga, in fact the list of music I enjoy seems to be nearly infinite, but the music of the masters goes beyond that of enjoyment and enters a different realm. And as I reflect on Liebestod, I wonder if I disagree with my earlier post on entertainment? Was I entertained by Liebestod? Am I entertained by Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Brahms' First Symphony? Is there an emotional response that is deeper from listening to Wagner as related to listening to Sondheim or Michael Jackson? I think so. Does this mean that the music goes beyond that of entertainment? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Sure I was entertained, received pleasure from hearing Liebestod, but somehow it feels cheap to relegate the music into a classification of music for entertainment. Yet I suppose that no matter how it is expressed, how many ways I can describe the feeling, in spite of its longevity, its craftmanship, its sincerity and depth of emotions, in the end the music is still entertaining on some level. Hard to acknowledge this truth since the music has a greater depth of meaning to me well beyond that of most entertainment I see and experience around me.
The music of Wagner, Beethoven, Brahms is entertaining, but designating it as such is to diminish its power and significance. So please forgive my equivocation and pandering to the academic community, but I am having trouble attributing the magnificence of this music to fit into the concept of entertainment. On the other hand, to say it is not entertaining is to diminish its purpose. So all this to say that music can be and should be entertaining. Perhaps great music also reaches yet another level.
Some of Beethoven affects me nearly as much and some of Brahms as well. I enjoy the music of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and yes even Lady Gaga, in fact the list of music I enjoy seems to be nearly infinite, but the music of the masters goes beyond that of enjoyment and enters a different realm. And as I reflect on Liebestod, I wonder if I disagree with my earlier post on entertainment? Was I entertained by Liebestod? Am I entertained by Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Brahms' First Symphony? Is there an emotional response that is deeper from listening to Wagner as related to listening to Sondheim or Michael Jackson? I think so. Does this mean that the music goes beyond that of entertainment? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Sure I was entertained, received pleasure from hearing Liebestod, but somehow it feels cheap to relegate the music into a classification of music for entertainment. Yet I suppose that no matter how it is expressed, how many ways I can describe the feeling, in spite of its longevity, its craftmanship, its sincerity and depth of emotions, in the end the music is still entertaining on some level. Hard to acknowledge this truth since the music has a greater depth of meaning to me well beyond that of most entertainment I see and experience around me.
The music of Wagner, Beethoven, Brahms is entertaining, but designating it as such is to diminish its power and significance. So please forgive my equivocation and pandering to the academic community, but I am having trouble attributing the magnificence of this music to fit into the concept of entertainment. On the other hand, to say it is not entertaining is to diminish its purpose. So all this to say that music can be and should be entertaining. Perhaps great music also reaches yet another level.
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