The Jazzy Canon

When talking about classical music someone hears the word 'canon', the first thing it's usually associated with is the work by Johann Pachelbel. Although the word itself signifies a whole type of a music piece consisting of three parts, "Canon in D" will forever be tied with the music of the great German composer. Interesting that despite being composer's only 'canon', this work has become so popular.
Even the fact that the score lay forgotten for the good couple of centuries before it was published in the 20th century, and despite the fact that even after publishing it was not noted at once – now you may hear it sound at weddings and as part of any famous compilation of classical music.

Originally Pachelbel's Canon was written for three violins and basso continuo; it was as well accompanied by a gigue, but it's usually skipped in the name of the score. It often takes time before the uniqueness and the greatness of a certain piece of art becomes duly valued, and when it happens there are always a number of zealous 'authors' who would like to steal the fame. The pupils and scholars of Johann Pachelbel didn’t let it happen and greatly contributed in the popularization of the piece, including it in their research on classical music. The piece became popular with arrangers and thus many versions of Canon appeared, and, to be more precise, keep appearing up to now. Michael Silverman, specializing on the blend of classical, jazz and world music, has presented his arrangement of Canon in D too.
It was pretty rewarding – due to the original style of the musician, the arrangement has turned into another masterpiece and enjoys hundreds of views and downloads every day.

Happy St. Valentine’s!

I know that for many that might not be a sound reason to celebrate anything but I personally think it’s such a beautiful and extremely lovely occasion to say aloud what we feel for those we love. Of all the numerous forms of love there are, the romantic relation between a man and a woman is one of the brightest and basic things! It is such a joyous feeling to watch an elderly couple kiss and hug in their late 80ies for example – respect to those people who have managed to bring their love through years and not let it die in the routine of life!

There have been so many attempts to describe the essence of love through various shapes of art – but in my opinion there is no better combination for it than poetry and music that speak for themselves. In connection with this wonderful holiday I would like to share a very nice score for soprano and cello “The Love Poems of Marichiko”. This is a set of six poems by an American poet Kenneth Rexroth in quite an unusual delicate musical setting. It’s a duo and I would gladly like to imagine a couple-in-love performing the pieces together :)

“Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved.” – Victor Hugo once said. So I want to wish all you not to skimp on words of caress and love. Life is so short, so live it in love!

                                               Happy Valentine’s Day!

Censored Rigoletto for 4 Cellos

Let’s draw today’s attention to the loved-by-many work by the opera master Giuseppe Verdi. The story of creation of the Rigoletto opera was a long and complicated one. The music we can hear today in all the prestigious halls of the world is in fact not exactly the version it was meant to be by the author. If today we complain about the censorship dictating its unchangeable laws, the 19th century censors were no less mild, especially in regard of cultural objects. Back then the severe Austrians who controlled much of Italy tried to impose the limitations on music themes as well. Verdi was composing the opera on the basis of Hugo’s “Le roi s’amuse” (that also had problems with the French censors), finding the topic immense and full of vivid character. Giuseppe, a man with utmost feel for irony, humor and sarcasm, was first prohibited to touch the topic of the King too and particularly his amusement ways.

However, after many struggling attempts of negotiations with those who set the rules, the opera finally was presented to the audience and was premiered with great success in Venice in 1851. Despite the avalanche of things that had to be changed, the public adored the opera so much that the morning after the premiere Venetian gondoliers were all singing the Duke of Mantua's canzone “La donna è mobile”.

Venetian gondolier

But to beginning musicians who may easily fall in love with this piece it will probably seem sort of challenging to master. And what if you want to perform it on a non-traditional cello? Here’s a good way to practice – an easy arrangement for FOUR cellos will come in handy. It was written in such a way that all the parts are designed to easy the melody. Cello challenge is solved!

Gnossiennes: Erik Satie’s love for making up words

We know that Mr. Erik Satie was a great fan of inventing new words for his compositions. As an anecdote goes, he once presented himself as “gymnopaedist” not quite knowing himself what this word actually meant and if it existed at all. That’s when his famous “Gymnopedies” appeared. Among other words coined by Satie were the ‘vexations’ or ‘croquis et agaceries’, all meaning a separate type of a music composition.

“Gnossiennes” also was a new name by the inventive composer. Although a non-existing word too, it was attempted to find explanations to. There are versions that ‘gnossienne’ might derive from the name of either ‘ogive’, an architectural element, or ‘gnosis’, as in ‘gnosic sect’ Satie was involved in.  Others think that it might have the root in ‘gnossus’ and relate to the myths about Theseus, Minotaur and Ariadne, taking into account that at the time of the composition there were several interesting archaeological excavations made.

Minotaur

All in all, there are 6 ‘obvious‘ Gnossiennes. But there is also a seventh music piece – “Le Fils des étoiles” – that contains a music form of a Gnossienne according to Satie himself, as he wrote while corresponding with his publisher. All the 7 are charming anyway and can be rather compared with “dances”. Their easy listening character was the reason for all the Gnossiennes to be frequently used in numerous films and shows. It's most often for piano (vid.), but here, enjoy a lovely guitar arrangement of “Gnossienne No.1” from G. Pylarinos.

Joplin’s Entertainer arranged for violin and piano

Not so long ago there was a post dedicated to the music of Scot Joplin and his being under-recorded among the American colleagues. Today I would like to dedicate another post to this wonderful composer and one of his great works – “The Entertainer”.

"The Entertainer" Cover

The song that partially got its popularity after sounding in the Oscar-winning movie The Sting is sometimes associated with the revival of the ragtime music. After the release of the “Piano Rags” recording by Nonesuch label it became the company’s first million-selling record. Among other music recognition item are the top in Billboard pop chart, number 10 on the “Songs of the century” list and number 5 in the "Best-Selling Classical LPs" Billboard.

Did you ever buy ice cream cones in one of those colorful street trucks? Remember the familiar tune? Right, Joplin’s easy-listening Entertainer is the mostly widely used tune there. The song has been recorded in various arrangements, and modern composers have their own versions. Take this lovely piano-violin arrangement by Ariel Davydov. And the younger the composers’ generation the more eternal the Entertainer is. Have a look at the brilliant Ukrainian performer and composer Stepan Grytsay in the video! I so love the duet of these instruments.