Not sure if anyone's noticed, but we've been slacking a bit lately. No Roundup on Sunday, for instance. It's crazy at Dig HQ so posting is unfortunately more sporadic than we'd like. I'm going to share some quick hits as best I can until things calm back down to at least give you all something to enjoy in the mean time. Click on for a pair of sweet tunes.
It seems that this was the week for featuring aging American composers in the national news. This week I stumbled upon an interview in Bloomberg with the staggering 103 year old Elliott Carter. The interview itself was in promotion of Carter's newest premier for his work entitled Two Controversies and a Conversation which premiered last night June 8th. Please see the linked article for full details. Most importantly, it got me listening to Carter again, and that is how I became reacquainted with his Quintet for Piano and Strings.
The thing that makes this piece so incredible is that it unfolds its entire self for the listener within the first four seconds. Furthermore, this opening gesture tells you everything you need to know about Elliott Carter's atonal compositional language. This makes the piece a perfect fit for our feature One Note/One Phrase. The performers here are Ursula Oppens on piano and the Arditti Quartet. Give it a listen and catalog this language in your ears. You're not likely to find much else like it. You dig?
Elliott Carter: Quintet for Piano and Strings
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Town Hall has done it again! Another amazing cover to add to the list. When I spoke to them last month, they mentioned they'd be taking on an R. Kelly tune and I couldn't wait to hear it. "Text Me" does not disappoint. If you thought things got sexy with Ja Rule & Ashanti, this is going to rock your world. I don't even want to say anymore, just watch and enjoy.
Look for Town Hall on tour this summer throughout the East Coast and Midwest.
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Philip Glass is one of the finest modern American composers. To celebrate his 75th birthday this month he and NPR are inviting the public to participate in a premier performance of his new work of his entitled The New Rule.
He has composed the work for the occasion with the idea in mind that both amateurs and professionals should be able to come together to perform the work successfully. The concert is being held in Times Square June 21st and will be videotaped and recorded as well so that everyone may enjoy the evening regardless of attendance.
Read on for more information from NPR regarding this utterly awesome birthday party. You dig?
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Sorry we didn't have the Weekly Roundup ready yesterday. Also, this one is going to be a little more rapid fire than usual. But hey, it's still six great song and videos, that counts for something.
The word virtuoso is defined as, "a musician who is a consummate master of technique and artistry." or "… an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability at singing or playing a musical instrument."
When I decided that I was going to be a serious (classical) musician, I regarded this word with esteem and respect. I saw the aspiration for virtuosity as a means of achieving self-actualization, and decided to dedicate my life towards this realization. However, like so many things, after six years of conservatory training the shine wore off this word and I fear that I have lost my reverence for the beautiful. After all, art is the habit of the artist. Nevertheless, it is my intent to use this platform to (re)discover, admire, and share music/musicians of the highest caliber, in any and all genres, strictly for the purpose of listening to Music worth listening to.
Emil Gilels: LV Beethoven Opus Mvt III