Dave Brubeck was honored yesterday by the President at the White House and also at Kennedy Center.  He is an icon in the music world with his jazz artistry.  He is a fine jazz pianist and composer. He has been one of my very favorite musicians for a long time.  Congrats to Dave!  A well deserved honor!

Spotted this over at Metal Sucks. It’s not bad at all, but I haven’t gotten to the guitar solo yet.

This weekend was a blast. I can’t believe it’s over; I can’t believe three days and two nights are just, done. In a heartbeat.

No. In a downbeat.

It’s made me sure of one thing, if anything.

I want to be a musician. I already am, really. But I want it to be my life. Not just a hobby, not just a thing to practice, to get better at.

No, the drive that’s gotten me this far is going to have to propel me into the future.

This weekend was a great teaser for college. Being in a grand scale setting with hundreds of people my own age, that I don’t really know, who all love to make music, was phenomenal.

Some people are dumb, obviously. But others are great. Others are so splendid and fabulous that you never want to leave. You want to stay and talk and hang out and sing or play or whatever, forever.

It was nice to be away from home, too, I decided. To have the freedom to do what I want was (hello) liberating. I could breathe. It was exhilarating.

I met a twelve-year-old boy who was there for a young artists’ convention. He was a pianist. He was a composer. He was a master of improv and I might even go so far to say that he was equal to (dare I hazard a “better than”?) Emma.

To be honest, this kid was insane. His name is Scott and he goes to piano school, takes lessons three times a week. He lives on Long Island (no surprise there, so do half the kids who were at Conference), but what really impressed me was the complete and total whole of himself, poured into his playing. He was very aware of the crowd of girls from our choir gathered around the grand, but just by looking at him you could tell that he was simply drowned in it. He looked up every so often as he played, and a few times he met my eyes: it was bizarre, it was intriguing. It was like he was hardly there, and it was all music, all his heart, just dripping like rain onto piano keys and into our ears.

Simply beautiful.

He inspired me, and so now I’m going to work harder. It wasn’t just him, either. It was the energy, the ambition, the talent that was jam-packed into the Radisson this weekend. It was the vivacity and passion of our conductor, Dr. Levine. (She was fab, as she would say, by the way.) It was the combination of independent, individual, brilliant, able, and strong women that made up my choir.

And it was the actual music-making: the long hours of rehearsing, the sweat, blood and tears drenching the memorization of “O Yo-yo” and the focus and energy throughout our program. It was the music that reminded me where I want to go, and where I want to be.

The truth is, I want to be at Eastman.

If I can’t, then I can’t. I’m square with that now. And Syracuse would be an alright alternative, sure.

But if Eastman likes my prescreening, then by God I am going to work my ass off and really soar with my audition rep.

I’m going to make some music for them.

This year is almost over and an evaluation is almost inevitable. I sat and thought about the things I can evaluate and came to a conclusion that there are so many, I just can’t deal with this boredom I could cause you. I just couldn’t sleep at night if I had done the crime of wasting your time with the evaluation of my life. I mean, really, who cares what’s the best food I’ve eaten this year? Or the best daiquiri I’ve drunk? I wouldn’t. So, I’m just going to do what’s best for all of us and skip that awful part. So, followed by a really loud drumroll… Here are the music “yeah’s” and music “no way’s” of this year.

- “Sleep well” album of the year:
Norah Jones – The Fall. I would call it a “no way” if it wasn’t so plain and modest. It didn’t disturb my good night’s sleep at all, because I just didn’t notice it. So – here goes… an inconspicuous “yeah” for all of you insomniacs out there.

– “Two good singles” album of the year:
You won’t believe me on this one probably, but let’s face it – I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow were the only two good singles from this year’s Black Eyed Peas album The E.N.D. They were good, okay, they got us all moving and jumping up’n'down, but we all know it’s not enough. If I would rate singles, it would be a definite “yeah”, but for the album there’s a big, fat “noooo way”.

John Mayer - Battle Studies (c) Sony Music

– “Quite boring, but decent” album of the year:

John Mayer – The Battle Studies. And I’m really sorry to say this, John. Continuum is still the best thing you’ve created. You’re still gorgeous, I still love you, but I think the routine has hit the relationship. The good news is – you can still get back on the track. Who Says proves it. Anyhow – this is a “yeah”, despite all.

– “Jump-around-shake-your-arse-like-you-just-don’t-care” album of the year:

Jamie T – Kings & Queens. In comparison with Panic Prevention, this is a downhill, obviously, but it still holds the obvious charm of Jamie T and his own style. There were tracks I loved, there were mundane tracks, there were the weird ones as well. Maybe, as time goes by I will love the tracks I hated at first, as it was with Panic Prevention. A single I just can’t fly by and not mention in this case is Sticks’n'Stones – amazing, full of energy and an obvious success. So yeah, I do give it a “yeah”. And I still want to see him perform live. Preferably Sheila and Northern Line, though.

Jamie T - Kings & Queens (c) Virgin Records

– “It was good, but let’s not take this any further” album of the year:

Susan Boyle – I Dreamed A Dream. Well, this is just sad. Okay, it was great how she rocked Simon’s socks off at Britain’s Got Talent last year, but why, and this is a serious WHY, did she have to record an album, for God’s sake? And yeah, I know everyone has a right for their 15 minutes of fame, but didn’t hers tick out when she performed the third time of the song from Les Miserables? Oh well, but what do I know… Everyone, hurry to get your copy of copies!

– ALBUM OF THE YEAR. As simple as that.

Jamie Cullum – The Pursuit. I am convinced that a lot of people will listen to Jamie Cullum, the young boy (well, not so young anymore as he turned 30 this year) from Essex, in the future the way we listen to Frank Sinatra now. With honor, appreciation and admiration. Despite the critics who are on to Jamie about him “making the jazz pop-ish” I think that we are actually experiencing the birth (yes, and I’m sure he’s only in the early stages) of a legend. The first time I heard The Pursuit, I thought “Okay, not a lot of new stuff, but it’s decent at least. He hasn’t made the world’s best album, but he is still not breaking his own levels of mastery”. Then I heard it again, and again, and again… And I fell in love. I’m still listening to The Pursuit every single day and it still gives me goose pumps. So “yeah”, this is a very loud “YEAH” for fabulous Jamie Cullum.

Jamie Cullum - The Pursuit (c) Universal Music

I’ve got some “yeah’s” to give to Dave Matthews Band for Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, Amerie for In Love & War, Mika for The Boy Who Knew Too Much, Arctic Monkeys for Humbug, Ida Maria for – Fortress Round My Heart, Royksopp for Junior and Muse for The Resistance. And some definite “no way’s” for Eminem – Relapse and some of the very unfortunate comeback attempts from The Backstreet Boys and Take That (YES, INDEED!)

Alicia Witt (Born 1975 in Worcester, MA) is an American Television and Film Actress, Writer, Producer, and musician. Her Television appearances have included “Twin Peaks”, “Ally McBeal”, “The Sopranos”, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Friday Night Lights”, “The Mentalist”, “Two and a Half Men”, and a co-starring role on the hit series “Cybill”. On film, she has been seen in “Dune”, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “Four Rooms”, “Urban Legend”, “Playing Mona Lisa”, “Vanilla Sky”, “Last Holiday”, “88 Minutes”, and many others. A classically trained pianist, she has performed on, or appeared on the soundtracks of, many of the series and movies she has appeared in.

Autograph #260 in Collection.

Monday, December 14 at 6:30 pm in Prague Hall the CCMH is pleased to present Jitka Frankova who will enchant us with music from the masters including Czech composers Dvorak, Smetana, Janacek and Martinu.

Concert pianist Jitka Frankova

To RSVP please contact us quickly at 713-528-2060, valerie@czechcenter.org or online in our calendar section at www.czechcenter.org.

hiljem updeidin

PARIS – FRENCH classical pianist Genevieve Joy has died at the age of 90, her husband, the composer Henri Dutilleux, said on Saturday.

Joy, who interpreted numerous 20th century composers including Dutilleux, died in her sleep on Friday in a Paris hospital, her husband said.

Born in 1919 in northern France’s Somme region, Joy became a pupil at the Paris Conservatoire, winning prizes for her piano-playing, and returned there as a teacher.

She married Dutilleux in 1946.

Joy formed a long-lasting piano partnership with Jacqueline Robin, and in 1970 ten composers wrote duets for them to mark their 25 years together. — AFP

Source: Straits Times, 2009

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It’s been a busy few weeks. I am trying to get disciplined with this whole blog thing. So regardless of how spent I feel tonight, I thought I should get some words down to expose what’s been goin on.

I have been dealing with all creative fronts for the last few weeks. In the commercial scoring scene I have gone after a few commercials. They are not unlike cattle calls where a production house sends out a spot to various composers and you’ve got about a day to throw something at it. I used to snub my nose at spec work but now have adopted a new perspective. Even though you are essentially working for nothing there is a good upside. I feel that by trying scoring on some new picture I will just be further developing my composing chops. Also commercials are like small films but packed into 30 seconds. It’s amazing how much creative time you can put into 30 seconds of music. And if I do not get the gig I simply have another track to add to my library, which I hope to eventually sell online. And if I am lucky and do get the gig then I get paid! Which is what it’s about right. That’s when the business part connects to the music part and you feel like a pro! So my shots at a Walmart and Tim Horten’s commercial did not pan out. Even though with my rather biased opinion I thought my tracks were quite excellent. I will try and figure out how to post the tracks and expose them to critical audiences globally. Here is my shot at the Tim Horten Spot. It is kind of hard to get it without the visuals. Tim Horten Spot – Yohands I wanted African overtones in the score. In the final moment I have the theme played with piano and get a little more aggressive with the rhythm to reflect the new land in which they have arrived. I find it interesting to see what one can do in a short time. For me time constraints can be a good thing to put on the creative flow otherwise you can mess around with it forever!

In the meantime I am still working on a series titled Pitchin In” which is a cooking show. And today I began work on a series titled “Princess”. No it’s not a Walt Disney movie but rather a series about young women who spend beyond their means. THe producer Jennifer Horvath thinks “Pussy Cat Dolls” is a good musical influence for the show. So I listened to “when I grow up” to get inspired. I think instead I got visually stimulated vs musically stimulated. I am sending in the first draft tonight but I will also post it here. Princess Title Draft 1

On the voice over scene I have been auditions to a site titled www.voice123.com.  I think this could prove to be very cool. Set up a USB mic in the studio (audio -techinica 2020) and seem to be getting a good sound. Who knows, maybe one day this will become more lucrative then scoring!

Also finally starting to get some performing gigs. The recession really did take a monster bite out of that scene. Looking forward to playing again, especially as a trio. Have been practicing every morning to keep the chops up. But nothing is better than a live gig.

So that is a wrap for today.

I am eating my second round of apple pie. I woke up this morning and did not think |I would be eating apple pie today, let alone on two different occasions. Not sure if I mentioned this before but part of my diverse income stream comes from voice overs. My good friend Elly Ray got me into doing voice overs. Many people have said that I should do voice overs but until this year I never really got it together to make it happen. Elly helped me out with a demo and I am very fortunate to be represented by Edna Talent Management.

Warner Classics & Jazz (WCJ) is delighted to announce the signing of pianist Joanna MacGregor and her label SoundCircus. Continuing its legacy of collaborating with world-class artists, Warner Classics & Jazz is thrilled that Joanna will bring her truly unique approach to the piano repertoire and performance to the label. 2010 will see the release of three new recordings, as well as the reissue of her entire back catalogue on CD, and for the first time digitally.

Joanna MacGregor will perform ‘Live in Buenos Aires’, her first new release through Warner Classics & Jazz, at Camden’s Roundhouse on 23rd January 2010 with the Britten Sinfonia.

Album release date: 8th February 2010

Joanna MacGregor’s recordings and live performances have ranged from celebrated Baroque interpretations to groundbreaking re-workings of the classical repertoire and innovative ventures into world, jazz and contemporary music; a vast and varied collection of projects that have gained her international acclaim.

Albums such as ‘Play’, nominated for the 2002 Mercury Music Prize, and ‘Neural Circuits’, saw Joanna taking the classical piano into uncharted territory. Collaborations such as those with tabla virtuoso Talvin Singh, Anglo-Asian composer Nitin Sawhney, Arabic singer Dhafer Youssef, as well as the continuation of her long-standing relationship with the Britten Sinfonia, underline Joanna’s creative vision. Unafraid of juxtaposing the traditional with the truly contemporary, the results have been dynamic recordings in which works by Byrd or Dowland are preceded by a fragment of Ligeti or Nancarrow, or where Arvo Pärt’s ‘Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten’ are followed by the ‘Siwe Bell Music’ of the Anlo-Ewe people of Ghana.

Later recordings maintain this searching, connected approach – ‘Deep River’, with UK saxophonist Andy Sheppard, arrangements of Nick Cave and Tom Waits with Deep South blues and spirituals, whilst 2007’s ‘Sidewalk Dances’ opens up the remarkable legacy of Moondog, the legendary New York street composer, to a large new audience.
Joanna founded her own record label, SoundCircus, in 1998. The label retains the rights to her recordings and compositions, including her early Collins Classics recordings, and SoundCircus now continues as an imprint of the Warner Classics & Jazz family.

Joanna MacGregor has curated concerts for, amongst others, the New York Philharmonic, the BBC Proms, the South Bank Centre with Britten Sinfonia and Bridgewater Hall, and has been artistic director of the Bath International Music Festival since 2006. In 2010 Joanna will direct the much acclaimed ‘Deloitte Ignite Festival’ at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Her performances of the Turangalîla Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Valery Gergiev on 13th & 20th May 2010 coincide with the release of a new Messiaen box set.

Stefan Bown, general manager, Warner Classics & Jazz, says of the signing: ‘We are delighted to welcome Joanna MacGregor and her SoundCircus label to WCJ, and look forward to working closely with her on these exciting new recordings. Her innovation as an artist and curator, coupled with her hugely diverse attitude towards music of all styles and genres, make her a fantastic addition to our roster and we are proud to provide a new home for Joanna and her music’.

New releases confirmed for 2010:

- Live in Buenos Aires (with Britten Sinfonia) recorded in May 2007 – Bach, Stravinsky, Gismonti, Golijov, Dowland & Piazzolla arr. MacGregor
Release date: 8th February 2010.

- JS Bach: Goldberg Variations recorded in September 2007 at the Mozarteum, Salzburg.

- Messiaen 4 CD box set, reissuing her acclaimed recordings of Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus, Quatuor pour la fin du Temps, and including a new recording of the song cycle Harawi with Dutch mezzo-soprano Charlotte Riedijk.

The first original SoundCircus titles to be reissued will be ‘Deep River’ and ‘Sidewalk Dances’ in early 2010.

For further information please contact:
Ian Roberts or Maddie Castell
Tel. 0207 836 11 22
ian.roberts@astarpr.com / maddie.castell@astarpr.com

Stradivarius on display Madrid’s Palacio Real

Every Monday at 12:30pm, WMP Concert Hall offers a 45 minute long chamber music concert to the public, and it is free admission with a suggested donation of $10.00. The idea of the concert series is to offer high quality music to their neighbors while they take their lunch break.

Monday, November 30 at 12:30pm
Violinist Pei-Wen Liao with Pianist Evan Solomon

On Monday, November 30th @ 12:30pm, violinist Pei-Wen Liao will perform with pianist Evan Solomon works by Brahms, Grieg, Chopin, Paganini and Ravel.

Pei-Wen Liao, 15 years old violinist, won numerous international and national competitions, and has also performed with different orchestras in many concerts, benefits and recitals. The principal aspect, she made a debut recital in Carnegie Weill Hall only at the age of thirteen with sold-out tickets in 2007, and also made her Italy, Russia, America Korea, Taiwan and Japan debut, Pei-Wen has begun to start her career as a concert violinist.

From the end of May to the middle of June 2009, Pei-Wen made her Japan debut by performing with the New York Asian Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Atsushi Yamada on a National Concert tour in Kanazawa, and the Tokyo International Forum Hall (Hall A), which she received critical acclaims on media. Pei-Wen was also invited by the Music Association AGIMUS to perform a full recital in Padova, Italy on February 2009, which had a sold-out recital and a standing ovation.

On April 2009, Pei-Wen made her Korea debut by performing with the Seodaemun Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Doh Chung Koo at Continental Hall in Seoul, Korea. On July 2009, Pei-Wen was once again invited by the Sun international Company to play a full recital at the Taiwan National Recital Hall with sold-out tickets.

In the middle of October 2008, Pei-Wen made her Russia debut by performing with the Voronezh State Orchestra under the baton of Mak, Ka-Lok at the Voronezh Philharmonic Hall, and also with the Lipetsk Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Franz Schottky at the Lipetsk Theater in Russia. Pei-Wen was also featured on the Russian Television- THK.

On February 2008, Pei-Wen performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major with the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Walter Pavasaris at the Arlington Town Hall, which she was featured on the local Arlington newspapers and received excellent acclaims.

In March, Pei-Wen was a winner of the Juilliard Violin Concerto Competition, which she performed as a soloist with the Juilliard Pre-College Chamber Orchestra at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater under the baton of George Stelluto in the first of May.

In June, she was the Absolute prizewinner in the violin category and Second Grand prize in the 6th International Competition of Classical Music, which she was broadcasted by the local television and was also interviewed by the local newspaper. In July, Pei-Wen won the 1st prize at the Violin Category of the 6th International Competition “PREMIO CITTA’ DI PADOVA” in Padova, Italy.

In July, Pei-Wen performed three concerts with the American Air Force Band of Liberty under the baton of David Alpar at the Boston City Hall, Faniull Hall and the Columbus Park in Boston, Massachusetts with a standing ovation.

In August, she was sponsored by the Sun International Company to play a full recital at the Taiwan National Concert Hall with sold-out tickets.

In November 2007, Pei-Wen made her Carnegie debut recital at the Weill Hall with sold-out tickets; she performed as a soloist with the Manhattan Symphonie and also performed a recital program at the second half of the program.

In June, Pei-Wen won the 1st prize at the Flushing Town Hall Competition, which she won a violin and prizes.

In May, Pei-Wen won the Bachanalia Young Artist Competition, which she performed as a soloist with the Bachanalia Orchestra at Merkin Hall and also was loaned a violin from the Irish Rose Foundation. She was also invited by the Irish Rose Foundation to perform with the Concert Festival Small Orchestra at Christ & St. Stephen’s Church.

In April, Pei-Wen won the 1st prize of the 10th New York Music Competition, which she won prizes and performed at Carnegie Weill Hall. In March, Pei-Wen won the Arlington Philharmonic Competition, which she performed with the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra in February 2008.

In February, Pei-Wen won the Young Baroque Artist Competition, which she won prizes and performed at a gala concert. In 2006, Pei-Wen performed with the Orchestra dei Ragazzi in Venice, Italy under the baton of Edoardo Rosadini in August.

In May, Pei-Wen was one of the two winners of the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Violin Competition, which she performed with the Juilliard Pre-College Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Julien Benichou in a tour concert at Maryland.

In April, Pei-Wen won the ASTA Potter’s Violin Instrument Award, which she won a Potter’s violin and a bow. Pei-Wen Liao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She began violin at age of five at the Suzuki Education Center.

She also started playing the piano at seven at the Yamaha Education Center. Pei-Wen entered the Juilliard School Pre-College Division in 2004 studying with Ann Setzer. Pei-Wen is currently studying with Stephen Clapp and also is a 10th grader at the Professional Children’s School.

Pianist Evan Solomon has performed in Japan, Korea, China, France, Germany and throughout the United States in chamber music and vocal recitals.

He recently served as official pianist at the 2006 Hannover International Violin Competition and his yearly performances as faculty artist of the Great Mountains International Music Festival have been heard on the Korean Broadcasting System and NPR’s “Performance Today.” Other television credits for Mr. Solomon include appearances on A&E Network’s “Breakfast with the Arts” with violinist Sarah Chang and cellist Han-Na Chang, and PBS “Live from Lincoln Center: Perlman at the Penthouse.” His 1984 recording of music of Benjamin Britten with tenor Michael Sells was released to wide critical acclaim.

Evan Solomon began his piano studies with Olga Radosavljevich at the Cleveland Institute of Music. A graduate of Grinnell College with a major in mathematics, he received the Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California as a student of Brooks Smith. Mr. Solomon has been on the accompanying staff of the Juilliard School since 1985.

WMP Concert Hall is located at 31-33 East 28th Street, between Park and Madison. No food or beverages are permitted in the concert hall.

Future Shows:

Monday, December 7th @ 12:30pm:
Violinist Christine Kwak with Pianist Edward Laurel

Monday, December 14th, 2009 @ 12:30pm
Cellist Sarina Zhang with Pianist Alexandra Joan

Monday, December 21st @ 12:30pm:
Violinists Paolo Alberghini and Bruno Peña, Violist Kristin Sawyer, Cellist Sokol Nikaj and Pianist Enika Gjokoreci

More Details and Source: WMP Concert Hall

Open your office in this cultural and trendy neighborhood today!

Website: Manhattan Virtual Office
Tel: 1.212.627.8900
Fax: 1.646.861.6610

Since 1990.

VH International Business Solutions, Inc.
Follow us on Twitter: @ManhattanOffice

Pianist Brenda Hopkins Miranda has just produced a new CD entitled Recuerdos de Granada/Memoirs of Granada (2009) to much positive acclaim. This work follows her previous recordings of original music on her BHM label, Boricua on Board (1998) and Bohemia (1999).

As James Nadal reports (for All about Jazz), “Having grown up with the magical blend of rhythms and melodies that encompasses Puerto Rican music, she developed her innate talent and expanded her repertoire” to include Caribbean, Latin American, and Spanish influences.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Brenda Hopkins Miranda has excelled as pianist, composer, arranger, improviser, band leader, writer, and educator. She holds a Bachelors degree in Classical Piano from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, a Masters degree in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory in Boston, and she completed Doctoral Studies in Musicology from the Universidad de Granada in Spain. From 2003 to 2006 Hopkins Miranda was Director of the Music Program of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. She has taught at the Inter-American University, the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, and other institutions. Besides being a first call pianist for numerous Latin American artists on international tours, shows, and recording dates, she is a recognized composer and artist on soundtracks for several short films such as Yo misma fui mi ruta (2002) and La mecedora (2007). She has also written academic and journalistic articles in a variety of publications.

For full review by James Nadal, see http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=19383

For more detailed information on her work, see  http://www.lenguasdefuego.net/hemeroteca.php?codautor=38

Dudley Moore făcând un mișto crunt de Beethoven. Și oricine a cântat o sonată pentru pian de Beethoven o să zică „da da da da da da” și o să moară de râs. The rest of you… I dunno… Do you get it? 

PHOEBE MADE ME HAPPY JUST NOW.!! THANKS PHOEBES!! LOOL

“mm”
-Phoebe

I tried to embed one of her videos to Yiruma – River flows in you. She is a sick pianist but unfortunately I am experiencing embed code difficulties.! Stay tuned to see it or go to her blog and you’ll find it there!

BTW click her name for her blog

One small feel for man. One giant ass for mankind.

Olá amigos, deixo-vos um grande disco que me tem acompanhado nos ultimos meses. É do grande pianista norte-americano Aaron Golberg. Chama-se “Turning Point”.

Personnel: Aaron Goldberg (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Carla Cook (vocals); Mark Turner, Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone); Reuben Rogers (acoustic bass); Eric Harland (drums); Karsh Kale (tablas).

Track List:

1- Fantasy in D

2- Turning Point

3- Turkish Moonrise

4- Jackson’s Actions

5- Shadow of your smile

6- Con Alma

7- Head Trip

8- Mom’s Tune*

* esta é dedicada ao Zé da Rilha, com toda a amizade!

J4zzmatazz

Name: Laura Moelker
CD Release: Unfolding Stories
Year: 2009
Performance: classical concert pianist
Home: Chatham-Kent
Resides: Hamilton

Notes: The CD is a collection of classical piano music from Chopin, Mendelssohn, Gershwin, and Schubert.

Official Bio
  Laura Moelker, a native of Chatham, Ontario, is a classical concert pianist with a profound love for music. Her outgoing personality, remarkable enthusiasm and precision at the piano have given her enormous success and praise from audiences.

  Laura grew up in Chatham, Ontario where she began taking piano lessons at the age of 5. Born into a musical family, Laura received unending support from her parents and siblings. She continued taking lessons and received numerous awards in local music festivals, including the O.R.M.T.A. award, which she received in 1999. This only encouraged Laura to continue in her musical studies. In 2002 Laura moved to Hamilton, Ontario where she continued studying music at Redeemer University College under Dr. Christiaan Teeuwsen and world-renowned pianist, Valerie Tryon. In May 2006 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music (piano performance). Upon graduating Laura continued her classical training with the Royal Conservatory of Music and in January 2009 graduated and received her ARCT diploma in piano performance.

  Laura now works as a freelance musician in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently involved in various musical activities within her local community.

Visit Laura online here.   
Listen to her music here. 

____________________

“IN September 1998, David Buechner, then 39, a prominent classical pianist, came out as a transgender woman, explaining that from then on, she would live and perform as Sara Davis Buechner. The pianist had been accustomed to rave reviews (at 24, David, in his New York City concert debut, was called “an extraordinary young artist” by a New York Times critic). But the debut as Sara, reported in a Times magazine article, was not so well received, even by loved ones.”

Click to read the full article

Today I bought the “Jolie”. Actually I wanted the “Cosmopolitan” but of course it was already sold out so I had to take the Jolie instead. Well, not the American version cause I’m currently not living in the US… and therefor won’t be able to watch New Moon until november 25th. Yep, you heard me right. My life sucks! But to distract myself from that I’ve planned some really great stuff for our blog, promise! So watch out!
But back to the Jolie… At home I discovered -I swear I didn’t see it before- that in there was an interview with Robert Pattinson. Headline: “Interview with a Vampire”. How very creative, like we haven’t heard that one about a million times before… I read through it and I couldn’t believe all the stuff they say about Rob. Or what Rob answered them. Or maybe what they pretend Rob answered. So without further adieu here come the most important FACTS concerning Robert Pattinson according to the (not so) fantabulous interview Jolie featured in their december issue (oh god please let there be ten, because I so love top ten lists…):

Probably the way Rob looks in the morning

a

FACT 1: It seems as if you play yourself in Twilight (honestly Jolie, are you kidding me? Are you serious about that?)
FACT 2: If people would see how you look in the morning they would scream (Yeah, I totally would. Cause waking up and seeing you would so mean we spent the night together. A dream come true. So that would be worth a little screaming, right?)
FACT 3: Until your puberty began you thought you were a girl.
FACT 4: You dressed up wearing your elder sisters’ clothes. While doing that you called yourself Claudia and braided your hair (Wow, how long was it if you were able to braid it? And Claudia? Is that your favorite name? I mean you could chose any name in the world and went for “Claudia”. This has to mean something, right?).
FACT 5: You think UGG Boots are ugly. (Be honest, is that because the wolfpack is wearing them all the time? Is this kind of a werewolf/vampire thing you applied to your real life?)

Perhaps the reason...

why Rob...

hates UGG Boots

FACT 6: You actually wanted to become a pianist but unfortunately weren’t good enough. (You could still be a musician! Only thing you have to do is to finally release a damn CD. You know everyone is going to buy it. All of your fans. Every girl in the world so to speak…)
FACT 7: You admire Van Morrison. So much you even imitated him, his mimics, the way he talks… just everything.
FACT 8: Another one of your idols: Daniel Radcliffe, because he knows how to cope with all his fame and insane awesome fans
FACT 9: You got a band called “Bad Girls” (Bad Girls? Really, you like bad girls? No problem, I could arrange something there ifyouknowwhatimsayin…)
FACT 10: You and Kstew are officially together. In real life. (Honestly? Are you sure? I mean there are pictures of the two of you holding hands but still… Kristen Stewart, seriously? I got beautiful long hair, not a strange grown out mullet… sorry, just saying…)

So Rob, did you really say all that stuff to the interviewer? Or were you maybe just hungover from too many Heinekens the night before? I cannot explain how I could ever got addicted to someone who once called himself Claudia but whatever, it’s too late to change that now anyway… at least I had a fun time reading all that crap they call an “exclusive interview”.

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Off to try on my bad girl costume
Saveyoursoul

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Did I mention anything that really shocked you? Or are you that well prepared when it comes to Rob and the press that you simply can’t be shocked anymore? Any other facts about Robert Pattinson you want us to mention or write a great post about? Yeah, maybe we will… just leave a comment or e-mail us!

(images: google and celebuzz)

Stradivarius on display Madrid’s Palacio Real

Every Monday at 12:30pm, WMP Concert Hall offers a 45 minute long chamber music concert to the public, and it is free admission with a suggested donation of $10.00. The idea of the concert series is to offer high quality music to their neighbors while they take their lunch break.

Monday, November 23 at 12:30pm
Violinist Angelia Cho and Pianist Dina Vainstein

On Monday, November 23rd @ 13:30pm, violinist Angelia Cho will perform with pianist DIna Vainshtein works by Schumann, Debussy, Chopin and Ravel.

Violinist Angelia Cho is gaining widespread recognition as one of the most versatile soloist and chamber musicians of her generation. Ms. Cho’s solo and ensemble performances have taken her all over the US, Europe, and Israel performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Academy of Music, Kennedy Center, Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, and The Musikverein Hall. In Fall 2007, Ms. Cho joined The Academy—a fellowship program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute. Since joining The Academy, she has performed chamber music regularly in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall among other venues in New York and on the East Coast. She appeared as soloist with many ensembles including Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Israel Kibbutz Orchestra and Allegro Society, NEC Symphony, and has collaborated with conductors Mark Laycock, Daniel Meyer, Luis Biava, Shlomo Mintz, and David Lobel.

The Sun Times recently praised Ms. Cho as “formidable”. The New York Times, on a performance of Bartok’s Contrast for violin clarinet and piano called Ms. Cho “a dynamic violinist… won and deserved whoops and bravos from the audience for their visceral account of this familiar work, which had the music sounding freshly and audaciously modern.” The City Paper of Philadelphia wrote, she “Displayed bottomless technique and electrifying passion. Her future would seem to be without limit.”

At the age of four, Angelia made her public recital debut at South Carolina Women’s College, and performed on NBC-TVs PM Magazine. Ms. Cho made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 11 at the Mann Music Center and performed with them again in the Academy of Music three years later.

Angelia Cho received her Bachelor of Music from The Curtis Institute of Music in 2002 where she studied with the late Jascha Brodsky, and later continued her studies with Ida Kavafian. Ms. Cho went on to complete Master and graduate studies with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory.

Angelia Cho was the first prize winner in the National Society of Arts and letters Violin Competition and The New England Conservatory Concerto Competition in 2006. In that same year, Ms. Cho performed ‘Song and Dance’ for violin and wind ensemble by Gunther Schuller. Of the performance, New Music Connoisseur wrote, “ Angelia Cho, whose violin playing traversed both expressive and rambunctious passage work with seemingly effortless expertise.”

Ms. Cho has explored and dedicated her time to performing contemporary works that led her to work closely with today’s most renowned composers such as Gyorgy Kurtag, Gunther Schuller, Steve Reich, and Michael Gandolfi. Angelia’s festival appearances have included Kneisel Hall, Sarasota, Verbier, Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourses in Israel, International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, England and Yellow Barn Music Festival.

Ms. Cho, a passionate chamber musican has performed and collaborated with members of the Cleveland Quartet, Donald Weilerstein, Paul Katz, Michael Cannon, Katherine Murdock, Roger Tapping. In 2006, Ms. Cho co-founded the ensemble, [A Far Cry], Boston’s Unconducted String Orchestra.

Russian-born pianist Dina Vainshtein has degrees from the Gnessin Institute of Music in Moscow, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music.

Her principal teachers were Boris Berlin and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein. Ms.Vainshtein received a Special Prize for Best Collaboration at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1998). She also won prizes at the Schubert and Music of Modernity International Competiton in Austria (1997) and the All-Union Russian Piano Competition (1993). Ms Vainshtein has performed at such prestigious venues as Alice Tully Hall and Weill Hall in New York City, Jordan Hall in Boston and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

She has also performed at Ravinia Festival, Caramoor Festival, Sunriver festival, Music Academy of the West (Santa Barbara), Meadowmount and Heifitz International Music Institute. Ms Vainshtein has appeared as a soloist with I Musici de Montreal (under the direction of Yuli Turovsky) and as a guest artist with the Borromeo String Quartet. She has given live performances on WGBH (Boston), WFMT (Chicago) and for NPR’s Performance Today series. Her recorded for the Naxos label with violinists Frank Huang and Michi Wianko.

At present Ms. Vainshtein is a staff pianist at the NEC Department of Preparotory and Continuing Education and the Walnut Hill School.

WMP Concert Hall is located at 31-33 East 28th Street, between Park and Madison. No food or beverages are permitted in the concert hall.

Future Shows:

Monday, November 30th @ 12:30pm:
Violinist Pei-Wen Liao and Pianist Evan Solomon

Monday, December 7th @ 12:30pm:
Violinist Christine Kwak

Monday, December 21st @ 12:30pm:
Violinist Paolo Alberghini, Violist Kristin Sawyer, and Cellist Sokol Nikaj

More Details and Source: WMP Concert Hall

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WCCO’s John Lauritsen published a story last night on the gifts of autism. I would have posted the story last night, but they were slow to get it online partly due to internet connection problems at the studio. But that is irrelevant with the story now online.

Loc Tran is a 17-year-old senior attending Champlin Park High School. While his gifts would be enough to make him a fan favorite in the autism community, he’s also blind. Not that it stops him from pursuing aspirations in music. Give this guy a song and he’ll give you five avenues composed in his brain. As you may have guessed, his math and numbers memory could rival that of Rain Man. He even composed a song for the Minnesota Timberwolves (perhaps he could write a few more given the team’s struggles).

This continues the new trend in autism I noted last week with the New York Times article on the possible removal of Asperger Syndrome. A trend that shifts away from despair and the years of struggle for everyone involved to one that emphasizes individuality within the autism and other disability community. I can tell you that my capacity for music is nowhere near this guy, but we probably could share an intellectual moment in the sports world. Not a single sentence is mentioned about Tran’s difficulties as a result of his sight or autism. I’m sure they exist, but as I’ve come to learn through my documentaries and this blog, it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t have any crises to deal with.

The story is simply a profile piece showing what this kid can do that not everyone can replicate as smoothly as him. No concerns about what his life will be like or how he’ll take care of himself when he gets older (video does show him using a special projection screen to help him read assignments and a cane to sense what’s in front of him). No talk about how agonizing adjusting to his life is. Every second of the story is spent on optimism.

As the new decade approaches, it’s a safe bet to say we’ll see more stories like Lauritsen’s. New controversies will undoubtedly emerge too as people discover how autistics can excel at subjects that leave everyone else in envy, but the envy will be created because reporters are spending more time focusing on specifics than the generic tragic storyline of the “Rain Man era.”