Several writers have weighed in on keeping young minds in books for a part of the summer. Here's one such list that I found impressive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05kristof.html?em&emc=eta1
If you want to interest children in the possibilities that music has to offer, try a few of these books, available as soon as I return them to the main branch of the Kanawha County Public Library in Charleston.
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss JE
This book is partly about families of instruments and partly about counting the number of players in musical ensembles. We all know the words solo, duet, trio, and quartet, but can we count to ten in "ensemble"?
"...It's music that we all adore, It's what we go to concerts for." (Moss)
Also, wordless readers can delight in watching the sub-plot of the two cats who appear on every spread of opened pages and the mouse they chase. When the oboist brings her dog, the sub-plot really gets into a big chase. See how it ends!
The Musical Life of Gustav Mole by Michael Twinn JE
What a whirlwind life story of a little mole, Gustav, who grows up in a musical family. From birth he is introduced to music. My favorite part is when he wants to sell his instrument at the music store because the object of his affection does not seem to respond, even when he composes for her.
There is a guest appearance by the Famous Frogharmonic who appear to be quite a serious performing orchestra.
This delightful story came out in audio cassette as well as book form, so I'm anxious to hear the audio that goes with these delightful illustrations by Kathyrn Meyrick.
These are only a few of the books that are on my musical summer reading list...more later!
Monday, July 6, 2009
It was WET! No doubt about it!
Saturday, July 4 was a wet evening in Charleston, WV, but the old adage "the show must go on!" was our motto! Thanks to the crowd who appeared (slowly, but surely) to hear patriotic music played by the West Virginia Symphony and to see the fireworks show sponsored by WQBE and the City of Charleston.
I would share pictures of the event, but it was a bit hard to juggle the umbrella and the camera, much less the hot dog I enjoyed during the concert.
Having been in a few planning meetings for this event (including a few conversations about a rain plan), I can tell you that an outdoor event is as difficult to decide to cancel as it is to put on.
For an outdoor concert, the symphony grapples with hour-by-hour weather alerts, calls to the National Weather Service, coordinating the set-up of stands and chairs in an effort to keep the musicians safe, the instruments dry, and the audience comfortable.
That doesn't even include the details of safety, traffic, vendors, boaters, and fireworks prep that the City of Charleston had in place on Saturday night.
Having checked my watch all week to make the sure the 9:30 p.m. start time for fireworks wouldn't be too light over the Charleston skies, I was delighted to see the fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. against the overcast, but brighter blue sky that made those red stars and purple bursts look ever more magnificent. Accompanied by patriotic music broadcast on WQBE, the evening ended in time for me to get home to dry out and enjoy a cup of tea before turning in.
Happy Birthday, America!
I would share pictures of the event, but it was a bit hard to juggle the umbrella and the camera, much less the hot dog I enjoyed during the concert.
Having been in a few planning meetings for this event (including a few conversations about a rain plan), I can tell you that an outdoor event is as difficult to decide to cancel as it is to put on.
For an outdoor concert, the symphony grapples with hour-by-hour weather alerts, calls to the National Weather Service, coordinating the set-up of stands and chairs in an effort to keep the musicians safe, the instruments dry, and the audience comfortable.
That doesn't even include the details of safety, traffic, vendors, boaters, and fireworks prep that the City of Charleston had in place on Saturday night.
Having checked my watch all week to make the sure the 9:30 p.m. start time for fireworks wouldn't be too light over the Charleston skies, I was delighted to see the fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. against the overcast, but brighter blue sky that made those red stars and purple bursts look ever more magnificent. Accompanied by patriotic music broadcast on WQBE, the evening ended in time for me to get home to dry out and enjoy a cup of tea before turning in.
Happy Birthday, America!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
If it's the Fourth of July, it must be time for Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
I'm not exactly sure why, but on the list at instantencore.com of concerts for the Fourth of July, ALL of them have Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and usually as the last or next to the last selection to be played. ("Stars and Stripes" is listed as last in most instances--if not this one, another Sousa march for sure).It has become a musical tradition, but how and why? Of course, I figured I could "google" it or "ask jeeves." Surely I was not the only person asking this question.
The piece was first conducted by Tchaikovsky himself when he visited New York City in 1891 at the dedication of Carnegie Hall. Hmmm....
That's about the only historical connection that anyone has seemed to find to America.
Beyond that, you have the French National Anthem and an old Russian national anthem, lots of cannons depicting Napolean's retreat from Russia in the year 1812.
It must be the cannons and the fireworks connection then! Oftentimes when the overture is performed outdoors, real cannons will be used. If cannons are not available, the percussion section is charged with the task of replicating cannon shots.
A few other writers and bloggers weighed in on "Why 1812 Overture on July 4?" See their answers:
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/1570/1812.htm
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/309550/the_fourth_of_july_and_the_1812_overture.html?cat=37
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp
Top 15 songs for the Fourth of July
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1870623/my_4th_of_july_playlist_for_your_independence.html?cat=33 (see this one for a suggested playlist for Fourth of July that you can download)
Top 10 Songs for Your Fourth of July
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1884692/top_10_songs_for_your_fourth_of_july_pg3.html?cat=33
Both lists above include the 1812 Overture. If you want to impress your friends, refer to the piece by its proper name "Festival Overture: The Year 1812" which happens to be in Eb flat major, Op. 49. That bit of trivia will get you far at cocktail parties.
In addition to the 1812 Overture, come hear Sousa marches, Maestro Cooper's arrangement of "Country Roads", some Irving Berlin and John Williams.
Veterans will be invited to stand to represent their service branches during the Armed Forces Salute--this has become a Charleston tradition.
Want to hear a preview of some of the selections? http://www.instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5037750
Thanks to the City of Charleston for making this free event possible and for providing live orchestral music at Haddad Riverfront Park. Concert starts at 8:00 p.m. at the levee. We hope to see you there!
Who won? The audience of course.
What a delightful evening chamber music and some never before heard jokes! In case you missed it: the audience was the real winner in this event!
TWO PRIMAL FORCES OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ...JUST SHORT OF MORTAL COMBAT.
West Virginia Public Radio’s Mona Seghatoleslami mediated this contest between musical rivals: West Virginia Symphony Principal Clarinetist Bob Turizziani and Principal Violist Sandra Groce, with Pianist Vicki Cavendish.
Did you attend? Have you ever been to an event like this before?
What about that ring girl!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Cage Match Tonight! 7 p.m. at Christ Church UM
I have been intrigued by tonight's concert offering since I first heard about the idea. As we get closer to the event, even stranger things have happened in my office. First, the presence of a clarinet player asking my help in finding viola jokes; and just a day later, a violist asking for my help with clarinet jokes.
This could get ugly.
Tonight's CLASSICAL CAGE MATCH will feature WVSO musicians Bob Turizziani and Sandra Groce, accompanied by Vicki Cavendish on piano. WVPR's Mona Seghatoleslami will moderate.
I printed some signs on Monday that make me think this is going to be a pretty serious match. ROUND ONE, ROUND TWO, ROUND THREE ...
...and some not-so-serious signs with statistics on the performers. I won't divulge their secrets, but I plan to be there to see who wins!
This could get ugly.
Tonight's CLASSICAL CAGE MATCH will feature WVSO musicians Bob Turizziani and Sandra Groce, accompanied by Vicki Cavendish on piano. WVPR's Mona Seghatoleslami will moderate.
I printed some signs on Monday that make me think this is going to be a pretty serious match. ROUND ONE, ROUND TWO, ROUND THREE ...
...and some not-so-serious signs with statistics on the performers. I won't divulge their secrets, but I plan to be there to see who wins!
Tickets ($10) available at the door beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Great Sunday for Music! What is your favorite memory of Symphony Sunday?
So what was your favorite part of Symphony Sunday? In the Food category: mine was the Symphony Sundae from Ellen's Ice Cream. We had made 50 or so parrots and listened to four hours of great music. Time to prop feet up and settle in for some ice cream!
How about you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
