Special Feature Articles
Category: Music
This unique series of special feature articles provide an insight into a huge variety of topics, that are real-world and relevant to both the youth and old of today. I hope you find them interesting and inspiring, as the topics featured in this section are ones that I personally find fascinating. If you have any comments or wish to add to discussion about any of my articles, please use the comment link at the bottom of the relevant article. The best comments will be published.
"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks!"
A Special Feature Article
Wednesday, 20th February 2008, 23:00 GMT
Introduction
A special feature article devoted to the unique medium that is music. As promised, I am trying to update the website with new features, and this I hope will be a change from the usual "daily observations" that normally feature on my blog.
"Without music, life would be an error." - Friedrich Nietzsche
For me, the above quote is certainly true. For the past couple of months, I've been rather passionately re-organising my iTunes library with "ratings" for quick access to those tunes that are especially enjoyable or have some musical value that is worth highlighting. With this process, I've cemented certain pieces so firmly in my brain cells that they will remain there for a long while to come. This is Chapter One of a series, in which I will touch on the music that is currently laying down a soundtrack to my life.
In no specific order therefore I highlight some songs, that have received the highest rating so far in my re-organisation and ones that deserve particular recommendation and investigation from yourselves.
Chapter One - The Classical
Ludovico Einaudi
As he is already mentioned specifically across the site, I don't need to remind some of you of his influence on me; he stands here at the top of the recommended list (though I do wish to stress the insignificance of the order of this list). It is quoted that "in general [he doesn't] like definitions, but 'Minimalist' is a term that means elegance and openness, so [he] would prefer to be called a Minimalist than something else."
Ludovico Einaudi and Andy Holland at the Kieler Schloss, Germany - October 2007
Minimalist however, I feel doesn't even begin to describe the excellence of so many of his tracks, which sway between meditative and exhilarating. Divenire (the track that gives the album its name) is simply a stunning work of art, and although it is rather a long one (at 6:42 minutes) it passes by in what seems a too short a period of time. This is, incidentally, exactly what I thought hearing it live. The six minutes past by far too quickly as the emotion of it built up in the usual "lump in the throat". Although it builds slowly and rises to the sublime and unquestionable crescendo of its "chorus", the sudden end is what excites the most; building until the very last second, leaving you begging for more as the piano's after-tones fade slowly away...
Andare and Primavera from the same album are also two of my favourites, though the whole album itself is certainly worth the full play-through. The mixture of powerful melodies vs. meditative nuances cannot be described in words alone and to try to limit them to words alone would be to decimate them; a first-hand listen is the only solution. For me they also serve as wonderful revision tools to stimulate the mind and prevent falling asleep on whatever textbook I'm supposed to be reading.
Whilst I've focused on his Divenire album here, it doesn't negate the importance of his others. Le Onde and Una Mattina are constantly played throughout my day. Particular attention should be paid (in my opinion) to Le Onde (the track of which the former album is named) and Ora and A Fuoco (Una Mattina).
Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion
Whilst on the classical music genre, I wish to input here a curious but surprisingly addictive and exciting choice. The Klazz Brothers consist of three German musicians who have brought it on themselves to bind together the classical and jazz genres; the result of which brings new life to classical tracks and gives the jazz genre a wider audience.
The Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion
My favourite album is Classic Meets Cuba - Symphonic Salsa. Though admittedly this is due to my limited knowledge of some of the selections contained on the previous Classic Meets Cuba album. I find it more exciting and feel that the three years between the releases has helped the group invigorate their arrangements.
Although the release of their new venture last October Opera Meets Cuba will certainly be what they will be promoting on their tour this spring, I will be highlighting here just a few tracks from their former albums to tickle your fancy.
First up is the unbelievable arrangement of what they call Mambozart, combining Mozart's Symphony Nr. 40 with their uniquely quirky Cuban percussion and vocal talents. The excitement from Mozart's original composition is accentuated and simply stunning. El Cisne Triste arrangement is also beautifully crafted from Swan Lake, into a jazzy piano-string combination. Beethoven's 5th symphony is then transformed into a lively piece that you cannot resist dancing too in the following track, Cinco Salsa. If you fancy even more excitement try their version of the Turkish March (Kubanischer Marsch).
All in all the Klazz Brothers are well worth a try. The unique mixture is a joy and done beautifully, with both lively and energetic tracks as well as the delightfully subtle tracks (sometimes a single track can modulate between both exciting and delicate). Simply superb!
Tolga Kashif & The Queen Symphony
Usually I'm averse to any attempt at covering any Queen track and I am usually of the opinion that those who have done so have made a complete pig's ear of it! Nevertheless the idea that Tolga Kashif had with The Queen Symphony was different. Not only did he convert the already operatic and textured songs to the classical genre, but he composed these movements around the original tracks, as opposed to simple covering. Being symphonic pieces, they average at nine minutes in length as Kashif pulls together various original Queen anthems into the one movement. The Queen tracks of influence include (but are not limited to), Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, The Show Must Go On and Love of My Life.
Adagio Misterioso being the first of the six movements is a wonderfully energetic and (as the name suggests) mysterious piece with rich crescendos that passionately begins the journey through which the album takes us. Allegretto, after taking us marvellously through the emotional Love of My Life section with its delicate strings and horns, thunders into a frenzied rendition of Killer Queen, moving to juxtapose the delicate strings and harp sounds with powerful brass crashes.
The first listen of the album is perhaps the most exciting, as it is possible to listen to the music as a completely new composition, which truthfully it is, despite the influences of Queen certainly being audible on further listening. Each of the movements are well deserving of my five-star rating in iTunes and I highly recommend a listen; whether you are a classical music fan, a fan of Queen, or both, you will enjoy these moving, and cleverly crafted compositions time and time again.
The Ten Tenors
Although not technically a classical group as such, they are classified in my music library as classical. The Ten Tenors are an Australian musical ensemble with a varied repertoire.
Funnily enough, this choice also has its roots stemming from the rock group that I was brought up with; Queen. Their renditions of Who Wants To Live Forever? and Bicycle Race are subtlety made their own and even emphasise the intrinsic melodies and sounds from the Queen versions, which for a musician is simply fantastic to hear.
I currently have two of their Albums, namely the latest Here's To The Heroes and the 2004 Larger Than Life. Both are superb works. The tracks that currently have the prestigious five-star rating are; Who Wants To Live Forever?, Here's To The Heroes, (Here's To The Heroes), plus Bicycle Race, World Anthem, Burn For You, and Water (Larger Than Life).
If you are not a fan of the powerful vocals of ten talented (and comedic) men, then this may not be the ideal album, but it's definitely worth a listen and the tracks I've highlighted above are not exhaustive, but simply the ones I think would allow for quick realisation of their forte from the ears of first-listeners.
Bond
The final classical-crossover group that I thought worth mentioning is Bond. This all-female Australian/British string quartet caught my attention in the same way as the the Klazz Brothers did above. Their invigorating renditions from the classical period are a simple delight.
According to the Wikipedia, they are the biggest selling string quartet of all time, selling more than 4 millions records. I currently own the latest two albums and can honestly say that each track has its own wonderful vision of one of the famous classics. The string sounds are often accompanied by upbeat percussion and 21st century sounds effects and vocals.
For me Shine (their earlier album) is the most exciting; admittedly this is perhaps once again due to my limited knowledge of the original pieces contained within the second album Classified. As each of the tracks however, are stunning separately, I've chosen here not to single any out, as I believe all would be as tempting as the last for new listeners. Nevertheless I have to say for the biggest "excitement", pay specific attention to Allegretto and Fuego (Shine) - a spectacular rendition that brings the classical genre hurtling into the 21st century!
Look out for their new album later in the year!
One Last One To Look Out For...
Straight No Chaser
In the same vein as The Ten Tenors, this isn't technically classical, but they certainly aren't the mainstream groups you usually see highlighted in showbiz news. Straight No Chaser are a superb a-cappella group from Indiana University. I stumbled across them (as many people did) via their hilarious and incredible rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas.
I cannot describe how sublime this is. They have combined one of the classics from the 80s, namely Toto's Africa with the 12 Days of Christmas. As it's so difficult to describe, I hereby post a youtube link to a live version, recorded in 1998.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GUU1YbP_E
As I've not yet purchased their album I'm currently only previewing their work via youtube. If and when I purchase their album I'll post a supplementary review. It's nice to see real talent is being enjoyed across the globe; one of the success stories of the internet!
Coming Soon...
The next chapter will move subtlety to the Soundtrack genre, of which many feature in my Top Rated Playlist... Check for updates soon...!
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