. . . . . . . . . . . . Music to grow up on: 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Dilruba, the sound of Mystery from Afghanistan

I have an acquaintance on line who is teaching violin in Afghanistan. He recently answered one of my many request to show a demonstrations of musical instruments from the region. These are very up close and personal so that you can really see how the instrument is being played. As most other recordings on YouTube are not very good quality or do not get very close to the musicians playing the accompaniment.

One of bowed instruments in particular caught my attention. As you see it lays over the shoulder like a cello even though the man is sitting on the floor. I can't wait till you push the play button and watch him play because the sound is absolutely haunting. You couldn't create a sound like this with an electronic key board and PC. There is nothing else like it. Who would guess such a sound would come from a stringed instrument with a bow.

From now on when I hear that mysterious sound in music from the middle East or South Asia I will now know what is producing it.

Thank you William Harvey for putting this series together and making it available to all the rest of us. Thank you for reminding us that there is a whole planet of friends around the world who play their music with the bow waiting to be discovered.

Monday, July 18, 2011

New American School of String Playing: Boil 'em Cabbage Down

Mark O'Connor shares with us a history of the Fiddle Tunes which he includes in his new publications. Get the back story about these famous American tunes. You even get to see him play them on his YouTube embeds.

New American School of String Playing: Boil 'em Cabbage Down: "“Boil `em Cabbage Down” is an African American hoedown. The tune has roots reaching all the way to the African slaves that were brought to t..."

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

André Rieu At Schönbrunn, Vienna (Trailer)

Ok your PreTwinkler doesn't want to practice and your feeling at your wits end, calm down and reach for the Andre Rieu DVD, or go to YouTube for a clip.   After all their attention span is not that long yet anyway.

Yes, you're right. This is a little over marketed and schmaltzy, but your preschooler will love it. Andrei will appeal to their musical imagination.   You gotta keep the fantasy alive until they have booked in enough Twinkles to move on with out you.

Andre Rieu and his Strauss Waltzes are not just for grandmothers who watch PBS. Your budding little princess will love the glittering gowns and the Disney styled sets.   The repertory is filled with musicals, dances and other crowd pleasers which gets nearly everyone on camera, (including the audience) on their feet and dancing before the end. If you have a little prince instead he will appreciate the soccer arena for the Ajax games where Andrei rocks and entire stadium.

Musically Andre has big feet and a global reach, I'm sure you will find a concert on his home channel that appeals to your taste and wins your heart over.   I think that is basically what Andre is about.   Picking you up by the heart and dancing you around the room.    What could be a better way to rescue a practice session.

Check the next few post to see what I am recommending for the kids. There is also more stuff that you will like too.

André Rieu - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Live in Maastricht 4 (Trailer)

I picked this Rieu clip because it is dancing and jamming from the get go. It features Bloemfontein Children's Choir and the children from the Hout Bay Music Project from South Africa. It is a joy to see Youth from the new South Africa playing strings together. They even join the dancers and singers in coruses from the Lion King. Its a kick to see Andre dancing with them in his tux.
I enjoy most of the DVD he has on his webpage for sale. But I would really like to see this one and I don't see it on the site. Maybe it isn't out yet.