Blog Archives

#24: Red River Valley and folk-modern classical

3/20/2017

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Modern classical music has a reputation for atonality, that is, that it lacks the harmonic and melodic core that has shaped Western music for hundreds of years. In this episode we hear three of my very non-atonal piano pieces. They are rooted in a traditional harmonic and motivic system and draw on another tradition of classical music, borrowing from existing folk tunes. Can you figure out what the other two tunes are before I reveal? Listen in and see!

Some links from the episode:

Gene Autry: Red River Valley (youtube)
Pete Seeger: Red River Valley (Spotify)
And my proudest discovery, Papa Bue's Viking Jazz Band on Spotify

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#23: Intimate Chopin: Nocturne Op. 15, no.2

3/13/2017

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This week, we listen to and get to know Chopin's Op. 15, no. 2, the beloved nocturne in F sharp major. Special guest Eli Luberoff joins me for a pianist-comparison listening challenge, including excerpts from my favorite Chopin pianist, Ivan Moravec. We talk about the oddities of the Internet and of one Spotify discovery in particular, and then I guide listeners through the piece and show how its subtle and delicate details make it what it is. In the end, of course, we listen to a complete performance (this one, not available anywhere else!)

Some follow-up links:
Ivan Moravec plays Chopin Nocturnes on Spotify
Pianist #2 plays Chopin Nocturnes on Spotify
Spotify mystery / please contact me IMMEDIATELY if you have any info /intel about THIS

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#22: Ari & Mia and me

3/6/2017

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Special guest cellist/vocalist/composer/songwriter Ariel Friedman joins me to share a sublime song of hers and ruminate on genre distinctions and crossover in the classical and folk music realms. We talk about Kinhaven (see episode 20), how she got started with her sister duo band (Ari & Mia), and how they and she have influenced me as a composer and musician through the years.

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#21: Bach's Art of Fugue, Contrapunctus V and different approaches to Bach

3/6/2017

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I explain the careful structure behind Contrapunctus five from Bach's Art of Fugue, while looking at different ways to approach playing fugues on the piano. Finally, we hear it complete on the piano as well as the continuo organ.

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#20: Kinhaven Sonata with Lauren Cook

3/6/2017

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Lauren Cook joins me to talk about chamber music and play my clarinet sonata that we premiered together, "Kinhaven Sonata."

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19.5: Season 2 preview

3/6/2017

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The new season/era of the Music Post has arrived, thanks to a successful Kickstarter! Check out the preview of what's coming up soon, from artists you may already know from past episodes (me, Carlos Rodriguez), to newcomers Ariel Friedman, Lauren Cook, Bernard Vallandingham and more!

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The Music Post

The Music Post is a blog / podcast for reflecting on all things musical, informed by years of writing, playing, and teaching music.

#24: Red River Valley and folk-modern classical

#23: Intimate Chopin: Nocturne Op. 15, no.2

#22: Ari & Mia and me

#21: Bach's Art of Fugue, Contrapunctus V and different approaches to Bach

#20: Kinhaven Sonata with Lauren Cook

﻿19.5: Season 2 preview

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19.5: Season 2 preview