February 8, 2012

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Bob Dylan Meets Classical Music in Evan Shinnerss

Chances are, most of everyone has heard the name Evan Shinners. A modern classical and popular music icon, the young man gave his first orchestral debut at the age of 12 with a Utah symphony. His life has been a studious, successful whirlwind of excitement, travel and music as fans have literally watched him grow up. He was a child prodigy with the imagination of a creator.
Now grown, in the past two years he’s been to every concert hall across the US and Canada, and he toured Ireland, Germany, Asia and more Canada as a classical artist.
Being a player of his own original music, he has a band called, the SUITS! that is very popular also, and with that band he toured the Canada, Sweden, England, and this past summer he toured the US again and was a guest on several Colorado Public Television shows and radio spots.
Evan Shinners Fills the House

Over 10,000 people were lucky enough to enjoy his presence in the ninth episode of the Performance Exhibition Series at the Museum of Modern Arts called, “Stop, Repair, Prepare: Variations on Ode to Joy for a Prepared Piano” (2008).
Shinners graced the cover of the New York Times’ Arts section and made an appearance on the CBS show, “Eye on New York.”
He also doubles as entertainment at RocketHub’s entertainment where he raises funds for the production, recording and release of his new album, titled, “@Bach” on January 28, 2011.
It’s not unusual for him to add original poetry and segments of artists like Bob Dylan, Charles Ives and Liszt to punctuate and balance his many Bach recitals. He’s been called the uncanny classical pianist by his Twitter followers; a mild statement about one who mixes Bob Dylan with classical music.
For all Shinner fans out there, visit this address to see his flickr photo collections and this website to see him personally.
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Music Class Runs Without Full Funding

Music is an important part of people’s lives. So important, that there are recordings of it, shows and concerts of it and awards and titles for it. Music is also a large part of growing up for most people. But, with the current economic downturn (worldwide), many school programs for music don’t exist anymore. There are no funds for extracurricular activities, whether they’re music, football or knitting. Kids everywhere are losing out more and more.
Dr. Anne Marie Lane, head of the music department at St. James Regional High School in Newfoundland, was an experienced teacher before she had gotten several degrees in music and getting hired at the school, where there was no music program. So, she started one. The first year was just General Music 101.
The Government Gives, Then it Takes Away

However, the second year St. James High got government money to continue the music program, so there was more she could do. The class size went from 15 the first year to more and more each year since. Then, the school district had to make some budget cuts and the music program was cut in half.
Part time classes meant students now had to find a way to fit a shorter class into their day, instead of scheduling in a regular class, and it made it harder for the kids to make time. One student had to take a science class as a prerequisite for graduation, but his schedule didn‘t fit in music. He didn’t let that stop him – he came every chance he could, even if it meant skipping lunch. And, he’s not the only student who comes to the music class even though it’s not on his schedule – and the students bring their own instruments and necessities.
At a time when the whole world is tightening it’s belt, this Newfoundland music class will run itself, even if the students have to teach themselves.
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Chinese Conservatory Becomes Steinway Exclusive School

In China, the Central Conservatory of Music, School of Piano located in Beijing has become an all-Steinway institution. Steinway enjoys this exclusivity with an illustrious list of all-Steinway schools. The China conservatory already has 127 of the historic brand of grand pianos plus 41 Boston grand pianos designed by Steinway & Sons. The deal includes all the accessories by the piano company and practice facilities.
Vice President of Steinway & Sons Hamburg, Werner Husmann, presented Wang Cizhao, president of the Central Conservatory of Music, with a commemorative plaque in front of students and faculty to witness this historic moment for the school on October 25 of 2010. The all-Steinway designation ceremony was run in conjunction with the school’s 70th anniversary celebration.
Thomas Kurrer, President of Steinway & Sons Worldwide announced the institution’s pride at partnering with the distinguished school, as the school honors the historic company by using it’s products exclusively.
Conservatory Produces Two Prodigies at Same Time

Cizhao remarked about how it is the conservatory’s responsibility to offer their students reliable instruments for them to learn and faculty to teach with, ensuring the students an education at the highest possible standard. “It is a great honor that our School of Piano has become an all-Steinway School.”
World renowned alumni Lang Lang and Yuja Wang share an education at another all-Steinway school, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA. The Curtis Institute has used exclusively Steinway instruments since it’s opening in 1924. The two famous musicians studied with artist Gary Graffman while at the Pennsylvania institution.
Wang was just 6 when she started playing piano, and was at conservatory by the time she turned 7. When she was attending the Curtis Instititute she was only 15 years old, and Lang Lang at the time was 20. Lang Lang is the first Chinese musician to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and many of the top American orchestras; all of them sold out.
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World’s Top 50 Classical Artists

There are so many gifted musicians in history and the present that one has to listen to much of it before declaring any favorites.  Below are the top 50 classical artists of a list of history’s best 100 and they are in alphabetical order, not the order of popularity or greatness. The rest of the list can be found here.
1. Johann Sebastian Back – 1985-1750
2. Béla Bartók – 1881-1945
3. Ludwig Van Beethoven – 1770-1827
4. Hector Berlioz – 1803-1869
5. Johannes Brahms – 1833-1897
6. Anton Bruckner – 1824-1896
7. Frederic Chopin – 1810-1849
8. Aaron Copland – 1900-1990
9. Claude Debussy – 1862-1918
10. Josquin Des Prez – c.1440-1521
11. Antonin Dvorak – 1841-1904
12. Edward Elgar – 1857-1934
13. Gabriel Fauré – 1845-1924
14. Christoph Willibald Gluck – 1714-1787
15. Edvard Grieg – 1843-1907
16. George Frideric Handel – 1685-1759
17. Joseph Haydn – 1732-1809
18. Paul Hindemith – 1895-1963
19. Charles Ives – 1874-1954
20. Franz Liszt – 1811-1886
21. Jean-Baptiste Lully – 1632-1687
22. Gustav Mahler – 1860-1911
23. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – 1756-1791
24. Felix Mendelssohn – 1809-1847
25. Olivier Messiaen – 1908-1992
26. Claudio Monteverdi – 1567-1643
27. Modest Mussorgsky – 1839-1881
28. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina – 1525-1594
29. Serge Prokofiev – 1891-1953
30. Giacomo Puccini – 1858-1924
31. Henry Purcell – 1659-1695
32. Sergei Rachmaninoff – 1873-1943
33. Jean-Philippe Rameau – 1683-1764
34. Maurice Ravel – 1875-1937
35. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – 1844-1908
36. Gioacchino Rossini – 1792-1868
37. Camille Saint-Saëns – 1835-1921
38. Arnold Schoenberg – 1874-1951
39. Dmitri Shostakovich – 1906-1975
40. Franz Schubert – 1797-1828
41. Robert Schumann – 1810-1856
42. Jean Sibelius – 1865-1957
43. Richard Strauss – 1864-1949
44. Igor Stravinsky – 1882-1971
45. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1840-1893
46. Giuseppe Verdi – 1813-1901
47. Antonio Vivaldi – 1678-1741
48. Carl Maria von Weber – 1786-1826
49. Richard Wagner – 1813-1883
50. Ralph Vaughan Williams – 1872-1958
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Wellness and World Music Festival Put Off Indefinitely

In Desert Hot Springs, California there’s been a music festival that’s been paid for, yet unplanned for almost two years. The festival’s orchestrator, Tony Clarke, brought the idea to the city council in February of 2009, saying he knows top names in the industry like, Ziggy Marley, the late Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Ray Charles and many other big names.
The city authorized $15,000 to Clarke to do a feasibility report for “The Wellness and World Music Festival” to be held in Desert Hot Springs, after which Clarke changed and registered his business name to Tresed Ventures; the name being desert spelled backwards. His ‘office’ address is a UPS post office box.
Having paid Clarke $250,000 for the no-bid contract (that uses the language, “The terms of this agreement do not guarantee that the festival will occur,”) the city council is now trying to find out who this guy is.
The Wellness and World Music Festival Put on Hold Again

Desert Hot Springs wanted to make this a ‘signature’ event that’s held annually to bring in huge moneys, like the popular Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. The feasibility report written by Tony Clarke, is said to potentially draw 40,000 visitors and $4.4 million in revenue by it’s fifth year, making it sound like a huge asset.
Clarke has twice postponed the event and has been absent at many of the city meetings citing family emergencies. The festival was to take place in spring of 2010,  then reset for the fall of 2010 and was postponed again. Now, it’s set for April or May of 2011, but Clarke is conveniently absent, except for accepting the funds.
The funds, he said, have already been spent without any explanation. It seems the city of Desert Hot Springs is out the money and the concert. Still an ongoing problem for the city, people will just have to wait to see if the festival goes on at all.
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Classical Music in the Digital Age

For lovers of classical music, it’s hard to imagine anything better than a well-tuned symphony playing in harmony. There’s just something almost magical about the way the violins swell to a climate while the cellos gently accompany. Classical music is moving and touches the soul. But what if the classical musicians used digital technology? Would we still love Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach if they used digital music in their symphonies?

Digital Music is Changing the World

Critics out there believe that digital music is taking music in the wrong direction. This is actually false – it is just different. You get everything from rap to pop, like music from rapper T-Pain and his song about women in Apple Bottom jeans. In fact, most digital music is considered “real” music and can lift the soul in a new way.

Consider this:

What if Bach would have used auto tune to get just the right pitch for his symphonies? That might seem like a stretch, but if the technology was available, even the great composers surely would have taken advantage of it. Technology doesn’t ruin the musical greats – it simply enhances the pure and natural talent that is already there.

Digital Music and Children

There’s another really big plus with digital music. With more and more music being done on the computer, kids are finally interested in music again. Even those who only listen to Miley Cyrus or Snow Patrol are becoming interested in classical music because of what can be done on the computer. Children can enhance a great waltz or cantata by adding digital music from the computer. It’s a wonderful teaching tool that is helping students to learn – and more importantly, getting kids interested in good music again.

Before you doubt the influence for good of digital music, think about the possibilities for the future. The next great Bach or Mozart could be out there writing a concerto strictly on the computer.

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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.
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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.

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Tchaikovsky: The Other Side

Anton Rubinstein

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.

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Mysteries of “Fur Elise”

The most well known piece brought to us from the famous classical composer, Beethoven, is known to be “Fur Elise”. You have most likely heard the lullabyic sounds of the piece and would recognize its melody anywhere. When you look beyond the simple composition of this piece of music, there is a world full of mystery and debate.

The piece was written in 1810 and is said to be dedicated to Therese Malfatti, who Beethoven had proposed to in 1810 when the song was written. The two never married due to Therese rejecting his proposal. It has been debated whether Elise was a nickname for Therese or if the editor could not read Beethoven’s handwriting. Some say that the original piece was possibly named “Fur Therese”. It has also been suggested that Elise, at that time, simply meant ‘sweetheart’, suggesting that it was meant for his sweetheart, Therese.

Since the composition of this piece, the manuscript has been lost. Since then, the score was published in 1865, 40 years after his death. The man who discovered the piece, Ludwig Nohl, confirmed that the date on the original manuscript was the 27th of April.

Due to the fact that Beethoven was dead at the time that the piece was published, there was no confirmation that he actually wrote the piece. Many theories arise from the composition of “Fur Elise”. The pianist Luca Chiantore argued that Beethoven may not have been the person who gave us the “Fur Elise” we know today. Chiantore proposed that the original manuscript may never have existed. Contrary, the musicologist Barry Cooper declared that one of the two of the surviving sketches is closely similar to the published version. Mysteries still remain about the composition of “Fur Elise”. Despite the mysteries, we can all agree that this piece is beautiful.

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