Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ravel Piano Concerto
Hey All, over the weekend I played a concert with the Inland Valley Symphony. On the concert was Debussy's 'Prelude to an Afternoon Faun', Pictures at an Exhibition and Ravel's 'Piano Concerto". The Piano concerto was awesome. An upcoming Piano star from USC named Ryan McCullough was the featured soloist. He recently received an invitation to play with the L.A. Phil. He is wickedly talented. He placed 2nd in last year's World Piano Competetion. What makes all of this even more impressive is that he is only a first year master's. crazy!
Even though the piece was debuted in 1932, it still sounds very modern. The 1st movement opens with a whip crack. The piece has a Spainish influence and elements of Jazz. I could clearly hear references to Gershwin in the second half of the movement. the 1st movement is very quirky. there are lots of solo interjections by the trumpet and piccolo and Eb clarinet. During the performance I found myself thinking that this piece doesn't sound like Ravel, or at least in the way he is normally thought of. The piece sounds like a happier version of Shastocovich.
The 2nd movement begins with an extended, unaccompanied piano solo. It has a Mozartian vibe to it, although Mozart would have not this type of tonal language. It shifts through different tonalities with ease and sounds familiar.
The 3rd movement is like a stream train that just keeps on going. To say the piano part is difficult would be an understatement. The orchestration takes on this, almost, carnivalistic character. It is very cool. --If you have not heard this piece then check it out--
In May my good freind Kate Prestia-Schaubb will be performing the 'Concerto For Piccolo', By Lowell Liebermann. The work was composed in 1996 and premiered by the New Jersey symphony and featured Jan Gippo (the piece is also dedicated to her). I have listened to Kate practice the work and it shows a side of the piccolo that is all encompoassing. It doesn't play to our common conceptions about the piccolo as only playing high or playing bird calls.
I know that the concert takes place during the may term and will not count for a paper write-up but this piece is worth checking out.
Even though the piece was debuted in 1932, it still sounds very modern. The 1st movement opens with a whip crack. The piece has a Spainish influence and elements of Jazz. I could clearly hear references to Gershwin in the second half of the movement. the 1st movement is very quirky. there are lots of solo interjections by the trumpet and piccolo and Eb clarinet. During the performance I found myself thinking that this piece doesn't sound like Ravel, or at least in the way he is normally thought of. The piece sounds like a happier version of Shastocovich.
The 2nd movement begins with an extended, unaccompanied piano solo. It has a Mozartian vibe to it, although Mozart would have not this type of tonal language. It shifts through different tonalities with ease and sounds familiar.
The 3rd movement is like a stream train that just keeps on going. To say the piano part is difficult would be an understatement. The orchestration takes on this, almost, carnivalistic character. It is very cool. --If you have not heard this piece then check it out--
In May my good freind Kate Prestia-Schaubb will be performing the 'Concerto For Piccolo', By Lowell Liebermann. The work was composed in 1996 and premiered by the New Jersey symphony and featured Jan Gippo (the piece is also dedicated to her). I have listened to Kate practice the work and it shows a side of the piccolo that is all encompoassing. It doesn't play to our common conceptions about the piccolo as only playing high or playing bird calls.
I know that the concert takes place during the may term and will not count for a paper write-up but this piece is worth checking out.
Extended techniques for piano...
The Colorado College Bowed Piano Ensemble is one of the coolest new music groups around. My teacher at Texas, Dan Welcher, told me about them when I was a doctoral student. I love their recordings, and since some of you have been talking about extended techniques for piano, I thought I'd share this. Composer and Colorado College professor Stephen Scott created the ensemble. Make sure you check out the video of his work-- really stunning.
Links for the NYT article on Mark Anthony Turnage's new opera and the Nico Muhly interview on Here and Now
Prof. Baber handed me the print version of this article at lunch-- here's the link. Mark Anthony Turnage (of "Three Screaming Popes" fame for you upperclassmen) has written an opera for Covent Garden that is based on Anna Nicole Smith.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/arts/music/13anna.html
It's a good read.
Here's the link to the Nico Muhly interview from NPR I was talking about last week as well.
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/02/10/composer-nico-muhly
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/arts/music/13anna.html
It's a good read.
Here's the link to the Nico Muhly interview from NPR I was talking about last week as well.
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/02/10/composer-nico-muhly
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