We definitely need some Transylvanian Concubine for our Halloween preparations! Don't you?
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on Rasputina – Thanks for the Ether – "Transylvanian Concubine".
The MP3 may be purchased here… Rasputina - Thanks for the Ether
My post for the song "Moorea" by the Gipsy Kings made me think of this song.
This is a cover of Ástor Piazzolla's brilliant "Libertango", which I think of more like a piece of classical music that will survive for generations. Yo-Yo Ma's attention to Piazzolla by producing an entire album of "covers" adds validation to that claim (and why I am tagging this as classical). It also includes a number of other world class musicians on each instrument. Piazzolla originally wrote the piece in 1974 and I would've posted a performance by him, but they appear to be lacking on the Internet.
Ástor Piazzolla, by the way, is essentially the father of Nuevo Tango breathing new life into Tango music and Tango's sub-genres after decades of stagnation. This song, among others, actually inspired me to take a tango dance class once, where I verified I sucked at dancing, and Tango dancing is not the place to start. I'll stick with the music.
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on Yo-Yo Ma – Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla – "Libertango" and here for more information on the composer Ástor Piazzolla
The MP3 may be purchased here… Yo-Yo Ma - Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla
First Movement – Allegro
Second Movement – Adagio
Third Movement – Allegro
Vivaldi was a music machine. In his lifetime we produced well over 600 pieces (click here to see the list), many of which more than one movement. He produced music for all sorts of instruments, and groups of various size. He was primarily a music teacher at an orphanage and I'm guessing he found the available materials lacking. Most people only really know his "Four Seasons" which is a shame because I believe if you like one piece by Vivaldi you'll probably like the rest. I guess he's like "The Strokes" in that regard (or they are like him I should say). Even if you only like his "Allegro" music (AKA the fast stuff), you'll probably like the rest of his "Allegro" music, of which there are at least 100.
I find Vivaldi to be very appealing in an almost mathematical way. His compositions show a great amount of musical symmetry and seem best played with precision and energy, without too much emotional interjection. It is excellent music for while you are working on a task that requires the same of you. If all you have heard is his "Four Seasons", I implore you try out some more. If you haven't even heard his "Four Seasons", you at least must hear "Spring" and "Autumn" movements.
PS: I could be wrong, but I am quite certain the video above is cellist Ofra Harnoy with the Toronto Chamber Orchestra (Paul Robinson conducting), circa 1990, which also happens to be the CD I have, know and love.
Click here for more info on Antonio Vivaldi.
The CD may be purchased here… Vivaldi - Cello Concertos Vol 1. - Ofra Harnoy
I was not joking on my About TSotD page. Although I listen to mostly Alternative Rock, Indie and Electronic, I do love music in the classical, rap, country, and heavy metal. Don't make me whip out my classical Chinese flute music to prove it! (It is wild stuff… I swear!) Moving on…
This is one of my two favorite Bach pieces of all time, the Prelude to Bach's first Cello Suite. A single instrument, the cello, with its ability to span both high and low registers. So beautiful. Combined with this piece that can be so expressive. The perfect song for every high and low in life. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Now I grew up enjoying a rendition performed by Anner Bylsma, an esteemed Dutch cellist. The only decent link I could find was a bit slow a tempo for my liking but you can hear the Cello Suite No. 1 prelude by Anner Bylsma here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZZKwE4Hf3Q.
The link I posted above is a Russian cellist, Mischa Maisky. I happened to find this version while search for one by Bylsma, and the tempo was more to my like, and the style still very expressive. Listen to both and hear the subtle differences. Both are excellent in my book.
Now for extra credit, listen to this rendition of Cello Suite No. 1 prelude by Yo-Yo Ma here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoZsrgKLHFg. I love Yo-Yo Ma, BUT this renditions of this song are more tradition baroque. That is to say the expression is turned down, and a steady tempo and style is emphasized. Even though this is probably more how it sounded in Bach's time, I think something is lost. It has a flatter feeling.
Wikipedia has more info on Anner Bylsma, Mischa Maisky, Yo-Yo Ma, Bach's Cello Suites, and the genius composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
The MP3 of a Mischa Maisky version may be purchased here… Mischa Maisky - Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Prelude
