Artists | Classical Music Entertainment

Music for Children

There are so many genres of music. The fantastic part is that there is creativity and innovative sound at every turn. However, despite updated sounds, recording techniques, and new music, the truth remains that classical music is the inspiration for it all. Developing music theory is the brain child of the original artists like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. There are many more countless others, but these are some of the leaders of classic music innovation.

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Music Design

The design of music is something that has been proven to be not just musical, but to be mathematically sound. It has been proven that children that listen to classical music have shown drastic improvements in their grades, test scores, and in their capability to process information. The other link that children have is that with language.

Some of have suggested that music works in conjunction with the language part of the brain, and that it stimulates the processing of the information developed during the formative years. The key is that the systematic function of the music design has provided a unique way for children to open a learning door.

Music Incorporated in the Beginning

When parents incorporate music into the normal part of their child’s lives, it has been shown to help cognitive development. The genres of music do create a diverse type of music to listen to, but nothing tops the original composers and true classical music. This means that children can have a rounded a variety of music to listen to while learning.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers, Music Tagged With: Classical Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Music theory

The Red Priest: Celebrating the Man Who Gave the Seasons Sound

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The violin bows tease their strings, filling the air with an aural tension, a frigid, musical bridge that makes way for one bow, which suddenly breaks from the others and dances with furious energy on strings. Who could have created a violin concerto that so masterfully mimics the tumult of winter? Antonio Vivaldo, naturally.

The Violin Master

Vivaldi was born in Venice, the son of a barber turned violinist who toured Italy with young Antonio in tow. By age 25, Vivaldi had become a maestro di violin (master of violin), and became highly regarded for his astounding skill. Although he studied to become a priest and was ultimately ordained, picking up the nickname the Red Priest for his striking hair, Vivaldi never pursued religion professionally; he taught at an orphanage and honing his immense musical talent.

The Four Seasons

In the years that followed, Vivaldi became an accomplished composer, and in 1723 composed his most famous work: The Four Seasons. Comprised of four violin concertos, each based on a sonnet and representing a season, The Four Seasons was considered revolutionary in its time for being inspired by nature. Although the popularity of The Four Seasons dwindled, it now rests steadfastly amongst classical masterpieces.

The Violinist’s Legacy

Antonio Vivaldi was a prolific musical author, in his lifetime composing at least 500 concertos and 46 operas. Sadly, Vivaldi’s death was not nearly as graceful as the works he composed: he died penniless at age 63 of an infection. However, Vivaldi’s beautiful creations lived on; as inspiration for Haydn and Bach, and for countless music lovers who thrill with every stroke of a violinist’s bow.

Filed Under: Artists, Music Tagged With: Antonio Vivaldi, Venice, Violin

A Beethoven Fact Sheet

Ask anyone who they know as a classical music composer and they will usually answer with Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most well-known classical composers of all times. Here’s a look at some facts surrounding a Beethoven’s life and some of his most well-known pieces.

Beethoven was born on December 17, 1770. He was born in the city of Bonn which at the time was considered part of the Holy Roman Empire. Today it would be considered Germany.
Beethoven moved to Vienna and effort to learn classical music and various instruments.it took only a matter of years for him to quickly gain a reputation as one of the best classical music composers of all time.
In the late 1790s Beethoven’s hearing began to deteriorate due to an inner ear problem. This caused him to become completely deaf. However, he did not let this disability prevent him from being able to compose and perform his various pieces. Beethoven is most known for laying his head on the top of the piano and listening to the various vibrations of the music. Some of Beethoven’s best music was composed after he lost his hearing.
Beethoven has been credited with bringing the classical and Romantic music to the western part of the world. In his lifetime he composed over 32 sonatas, a various number of shorter pieces intended for the piano, and accompaniments for various instruments to play along next to the piano. Beethoven also composed nine complete symphony orchestra pieces in various long pieces that are not considered symphony pieces.

Filed Under: Artists, Composers Tagged With: Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Vienna

A Tchaikovsky Fact Sheet

The classical music composer Tchaikovsky is probably one of the most well-known classical composers of all times. Despite the fact that he is well known for many various symphonies and ballets his history is not so well known. Here’s a fact she that looks at some of the various facts surrounding Tchaikovsky’s life and times.

Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840. He was born into a middle-class family and was prepped to work as a civil servant in Russia.
Tchaikovsky was never encouraged to pursue a musical career. His family raised him with the belief that he would become a civil servant. Despite his family’s objection to him becoming a musical artist Tchaikovsky entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory and graduated in 1865.
There are many rumors surrounding Tchaikovsky’s sexual orientation. It is believed that although Tchaikovsky was married he was actually a closeted homosexual. This led to extreme emotional distress and chronic periods of depression. In fact, they’re often rumors that Tchaikovsky’s death was actually a suicide and not of natural causes is commonly believed.
Tchaikovsky’s music was discredited by many American critics when it first came over to America. These critics believe that it lacked a certain death and emotional feel they should be attributed to classical music.
Tchaikovsky’s music has been used in several ballets and some of the most recognizable music. Examples of his music include those in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for ballet. Tchaikovsky also wrote and composed the 1812 Overture which is one of the loudest noisiest classical music pieces to date.

Filed Under: Artists, Music Tagged With: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russia, Swan Lake

Ways Experts Use to Identify Classical Music Pieces

Many classical music experts like to sit down and listen to a piece of classical music and be able to identify the composer or the musical time period in which that classical music is from. However, it could take years to develop this type of ability to identify classical music. Here is a look at some ways people are able to identify classical music by just sitting down and listening to the various elements of classical music.

Various Time Periods. Classical music has very distinctive time periods. Each part plays a major influence in the way that the classical music comes across to the listener. For example modern classical music often has a lot of symbols and triangles played throughout the piece as well as a wilder unrefined tone. On the other hand classical music that was in the romantic period often has a lot of piano sounds as well as slower more rhythmic music. By listing for these cues you can identify the timeframe of when the music was composed.

Instrumental Influence. Each musical piece has a lot of instrumental influence. The types of instruments that are used in a musical piece will often include a listener in to what timeframe the piece was. For example, the piano was often used during the romantic timeframe while stringed instruments are part of the classical timeframe baroque time. Harpsichords are also very popular during the Baroque time. By isolating and identifying the major instruments that are used in each classical music piece the musical expert will able to isolate the timeframe as well as the composer and musical influence of the musical piece.

Once the musical expert has isolated the time frame as well as the instrumental influence they will be able to figure out what classical music piece is playing.

Filed Under: Artists, Music Tagged With: Baroque, Classical Music, Musical composition

DSO Strike Affecting Local Detroit Economy

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra went on strike but Detroit has hardly noticed. It isn’t as if city listeners are left without classical music, because the whole region is full of ‘small names’ that are striking musicians to be reckoned with. Competition was already hot, but since the strike the competition is fierce.

World renowned recitalists, self-produced concerts by talented unknowns, top chamber groups, touring orchestras and much more cross the area in a plethora of venues catering to small and mid-size budget symphonies as well. The thing is, Detroit isn’t missing the DSO!

Always known for it’s original pop music and jazz, there are up-and-comings in classical music that are to be recognized in Detroit. Many ensembles and music groups that play Carnegie Hall also play for University Music Society and Chamber Music Society of Detroit, and more.

DSO Strike Backfires on Local Restaurants and Bars

The businesses near the venue are complaining loudly because of the sudden lack of business in the area. Restaurants and shops nearby made a living on the traffic that endorsed the music performances of the DSO, and since the strike began some 15 weeks ago, business has been slow. Owner of Detroit’s Magestic Cafe complained that he only took in 75% of what the restaurant normally brought in during the previous months.

The economic impact of the arts is hurting downtown business so bad that it’s trickled down to the employees, themselves. Not only do they not get the hours they used to get, but tips and generosities are down, too. So, even if Detroit is getting their fill of music performances without the DSO, it seems the city can’t take the strike.

Now, the performers that are still able to work are encouraging patrons of their shows before and after the performances to shop and eat at the local businesses. They’re getting the word out that the DSO can’t control the economic weather in the city of Detroit.

Filed Under: Artists Tagged With: DSO Strik

Shostakovich; a Stifled, Unfulfilled Musician

Classical music’s Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was born and died in Russia. Unfortunately, his full abilities can never be known, as he was stifled by the Russian government of the time. A firm balance between demands of the state and his own artistic exploration of music had to be kept; artists who didn’t perform to the liking of the government sometimes disappeared forever.

Shostakovich graduated from Petrograd Conservatory (St. Petersburg) at the young age of 19. At his graduation he already had his own symphony and it was called a youthful, precocious work by the music world.

At this time in Russian history, it wasn’t smart to be on less than good terms with state and government officials. People in arts ran a risk of being profiled as anti-state formalists. Shostakovich hastily withdrew his 4th Symphony before it’s premier showing because of this fear. However, later in his life the times loosened up and he enjoyed a more creative freedom in his work, and the 4th Symphony was published.

Shostakovich Did Civic Duty as a Musician
It’s been said that Shostakovich’s regular output of new work was in itself a rebellion albeit outwardly conforming with the political party, and doing his duty as a musician and composer. With Bach as his first inspiration, his works have been heard the world over and they evoke deep emotion peppered with light, flighty tones or dark punctuations.

He wrote operas, ballets, waltzes, theater pieces, film sound tracks, piano concertos, quintets, and many other genres of music-making. His talent has never been in question, even with the world-famous musicians that he became one of. One such work was recorded for the 1999 Stanley Kubrick film, “Eyes Wide Shut.”

His dear friend, Solomon Volkov, wrote his biography, “Testimony, the Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich.” It has to be a good read, considering the place and way in which he grew up. More information on him can be found at mfiles.com.

Filed Under: Artists Tagged With: Dmitri Shostakovich

Tchaikovsky: The Other Side

Who comes to mind when you hear “classical music composers”? You probably think of Beethoven, Mozart, or Bach. Although you have most likely heard of Tchaikovsky, he may not have been the first composer on your mind. Most people recognize Tchaikovsky as the composer of “The Nutcracker”. Most of his life is full of composition, but everyone has a story to tell. Other highlights from his life include his childhood, marrying an obsessed student, and attempted suicide.

Tchaikovsky was born May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia. From an early age he was destine to become a musician. He began playing the piano at the age of 7. In his childhood his family stayed in one place until his father, who worked as a mining engineer, resigned his government post, which caused a their family to constantly move.

Tchaikovsky began to attend St. Petersburg School of Jurisprudence in 1850. In 1862 he transferred to the St. Petersburg Conservatory where the director, Anton Rubenstein, took a liking to Tchaikovsky. Rubenstein had him study conducting.

After graduating he began teaching at the Moscow Conservatory where he started to compose. While teaching, a student, Antonina Milyokova, confessed her love for Tchaikovsky and threatened suicide if he did not marry her. He accepted, and after 9 weeks they separated. He then attempted suicide by trying to drown himself, but he was saved by his brother, Modeste, and eventually suffered a nervous breakdown.

He went on to compose many great pieces. Some of his most well known are “The Nutcracker”, “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture”, “1812 Overture” and “The Tempest”.

There are many rumors as to how he died. Many wonder if he committed suicide. It is also said that he died from complications to cholera. It will remain a mystery, but scholars believe that he committed suicide.

Filed Under: Artists Tagged With: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Mark Teicholz

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Classical guitarist extraordinaire, Marc Teicholz was not only the 1st prize winner of The 1989 International Guitar Foundation of America Competition, he was also the winner in New york’s 1991 ‘East-West Artists competition, the 1986 Paganini competition, and finalist in the 1992 Pro-Musicians competition, as well.

Marc has just released his fourth in a succession of classical CD’s. “CANCIONES” is reflective of Marc’s passion for classical Spanish themes, and features 14 selections exquisitely performed by Teicholz, and featured cellist, Sharon O’Connor for a sublime listening experience. Noteworthy composers Joaquin Malats, Isaac Albeniz, Joaquin Turina, Federico Mompou, Francisco Tarrega, and Manuel de Falla are all honored in this collection. Selections include: “Sevillana Op.29”, “Preludio”, and the lively “La Vida Breve” to name a few.

Teicholz has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia to critical acclaim for his master classes and recitals. In the mid-90’s, he toured New Zealand, Fuji, the Philippines and Singapore as an Artistic Ambassador for the United States. His career as a soloist has led him to play with orchestras in Russia, Spain, Portugal, Hawaii and California, and his playing reflects the flavors of all these countries in his broad repertoire.

Marc’s previous CD releases, “The Music of Napoleon Coste”, and “The Music of Fernando Sor I and II”, earned him international acclaim for his commitment to precisely playing “the ink” of these notorious composers. He’s recorded for such prestigious labels as Naxos, Sugo, and Menus and Music, as well as recording the pilot soundtrack for George Lucas’ “Young Indiana Jones.”

Currently, Marc Teicholz performs over 60 community concerts a year as part of the quartet “A Festival of Four.” He’s on the prestigious faculty of both The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and The California State University at Hayward. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Yale University where he received his master’s degree from the Yale School of Music.

Filed Under: Artists, Instruments Tagged With: Classical guitar, United States, Yale School of Music

Fabio Zini – The 10 Commandments of the Guitar

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When he was just eight years old, Fabio Zini’s father presented him with his first guitar. He studied under Santiago Aicardi,and by the age of thirteen, was performing professionally in such venues as Argentina’s renowned “Festival de Cosquin”. During his early developmental years, he studied music at several private conservatories , and took Master classes with Tito Francia, Francisco Gil Baines (Paco), Juan Mehaudi (Poroto) and Julio Rolon.In 1994 he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Education wit an instrumental major in guitar from Universidad Nacional del Litoral in his home town of Santa Fe, Argentina. By 1995, it was his honor to record with Hector Consolek, the last double-bass player who played with the legendary tango composer Astor Piazzolla.

Originally from Santa Fe, Argentina, Fabio now bases out of Florida. He presents a wide, spicy Latin repertoire that combines Tango-Argentine Folk with Classical Music, and he’s composed several works for the guitar as well as for other instruments. He’s an extraordinarily versatile musician with a multifaceted career, not only as a distinguished composer, but an electrifying performing artist as well. Fabio romances his guitar, and together they dance on stage for a most mesmerizing effect, making him as easy to watch as he is to listen to.

His book, The 10 Commandments of the Guitar, offers ten original compositions written following his invention of the “Zinisterio System”, the first music notation in color for the guitar. It is a fresh approach to musical expression with it’s own original method of teaching, writing, and reading music in color. The soaring spirit of Fabio’s music is sure to capture the listener’s emotions and motivate students to pursue higher levels of performance. In 2007, Fabio released a CD by the same name, and the classical collection includes 12 stunningly captivating arrangements, an assortment of tangos, waltzes, and milongas, all exquisitely performed. The level of his technique blends soft arpeggios, rich chords, and intricate fingering, for a soulful effect that delights audiences here in the U.S. as well as in South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Far East.

Filed Under: Artists, Instruments Tagged With: Guitar, Lessons and Instruction, Music