Discussion #1 for Theory AND Form Students

Hi folks -

Sorry this is getting up later than I had hoped - just tired and busy getting ready for the Conference. I'll post about that tomorrow.

Anyway, today's discussion has to do with music that moves you.

As you can expect, there is a ton of music I listen to regularly. I do listen to classical music, but more often than not I am listening to jazz or singer/songwriter types like Ben Folds or Duncan Sheik. Especially when I am listening for pleasure - I listen to more "pop" music than classical or even jazz. Don't tell anyone I said that!

That said - there are certain composers that just absolute floor me with their artistry. Beethoven is one. Brahms is one, too. Of the more contemporary folks - Aaron Copland is someone that I have studied a lot, and someone that I find terribly musical.

So, for your viewing pleasure - here is the Fourth Movement from his 3rd Symphony - probably his most important work. His first two symphonies were composed earlier in his career - when he was a young man and before he found his more accessible voice. Copland, for all of his accessibility, was a beast of a composer as a young man.

Well, after finding a more subdued language - a language that he thought could express his musical point without alienating his audience - he composed this 3rd Symphony.

One of my Grad School teachers - Barney Gilmore - talked to me a lot about this piece. He really thinks of it as "America's Symphony". The themes throughout are SO reminiscent of what we NOW think of as "American" sonorities that the piece seems to ooze Americana from beat one of movement I through the triumphant coda of movement IV.

So, what you have here is Movement IV conducted by the composer.

Listen now - to the whole thing. I'll wait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkY-TYTHRGU

Now - FORM students, I want you to talk about what you think is AMERICAN in this piece. That is purposefully broad - just dig in and talk/write about your feelings. It's a touchy/feely assignment. I want your thoughts.

THEORY students, I want you to talk about music (provide a link, too) that moves you - that makes you want to be a better musician. Music that, when you close your eyes and listen to your inner thoughts, reminds you of why you like to make music. It's the music of inspiration.

Write about that, please.

Gotta jet and get some sleep. Thanks for checking the blog - and be sure to give me your REAL name in your posting - so I know who is talking about what!

Take care and I'll post pictures and words about tomorrow after it happens. I have two pieces being played and discussed. Should be a really cool experience.

Good night, y'all.

Jim

Concert on Saturday night - 8/7/10.

If anyone is in the Boston area on Saturday night (8/7/10) I hope you can join me, Dr. Nolan Stolz, Charles Turner and a host of great Boston area performers for a great night of new solo and chamber music.

The concert starts at 7:30 PM and is being held at the Lilypad (1353 Cambridge Street @ Inman Square).

The cost is $10 at the door and will feature a bunch of great Bostonian musicians. If you have any questions call me after 3 PM at 661.330.9304.

The concert is funded in part by a grant I received from American Composers Forum and will feature performances of my flute/cello duo Duplicitous Encounter by Ashley Addington and Rachel Arnold as well as my Sonata for Guitar performed by Keith Calmes.

Also appearing are guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan, horn player Samantha Benson and flutist Melanie Chirignan.

Hope to see you there!

Jim


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Location:Wood Rd,Braintree,United States

Rehearsal today was great!

Just dropping a note on my blog to thank Rachel Arnold and Ashley Addington for a nice 45-minute rehearsal today in preparation for our recording session tomorrow.

At 3 PM tomorrow we start setting up at Fraser Studios at WGBH in Boston to record Duplicitous Encounter.

Going to be fun.

Then on Saturday Keith Calmes records the Sonata for Guitar.

Wow, I'm lucky!

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