Ryan Anthony: Monday YouTube Fix

I can't process how someone can play this well on such an emotionally charged night at a massive event that they were organizing. Ryan Anthony is a special talent. Simply stunning.

Itzhak Perlman: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is a clip of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman performing live in Russia in 1991.  The pianist is Janet Goodman Googenheim.  The program is quite varied and shows off his incredible musicianship well:

1:25 / TARTINI "Devil's Trill Sonata" in G minor (12:25 Cadenza: KREISLER)
16:50 / KREISLER "Liebesleid"
20:20 / PROKOFIEV "March", from "The Love for Three Oranges" Op.33
22:18 / BLOCH "Nigun", No.2 from "Baal-Shem"
29:15 / WIENIAWSKI "Etude Caprice" Op.18, No.4 (arr. KREISLER)
31:40 / TCHAIKOVSKY "Andante cantabile", 2nd mov. String Quartet No.1 Op.11
36:50 / BAZZINI "La Ronde des Lutins" Scherzo fantastico Op.25

Every time I listen to him play the violin my phrasing is better the next time I pick up my horn, even if I'm warming up.  He is a force in the musical world that we are lucky to have.

Enjoy!

Andrew Hitz & Lance LaDuke: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is the presentation that I did with my Pedal Note Media partner, Lance LaDuke, at the 2015 Army Tuba-Euphonium Workshop at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA.  A big thank you to all of those from the Army Band who were not only involved with hosting the workshop but also with archiving all of the sessions for everyone to enjoy after the fact.

Our session was titled "Low Brass 101: It's Just Business" and discussed things that you can do today to help take your career to the next level.  As we stated at the beginning of the presentation, it really has nothing to do with low brass specific stuff.  We discussed things like networking, marketing, targeting specific customers, and many other business concepts.

We hope you enjoy!

8:00 a.m. - Two Part Warm-Up with Mitsuru Saito, euphonium. 8:45 a.m. - Tom Holz - "Life Outside the Orchestra" (HMusKorps Veitshochheim cancelled due to illness) 10:00 a.m. - What do You Mean - MUSICIANSHIP!!! with Dr. Brian Bowman, euphonium 11:15 a.m. - Ophiclide Recital with Dr. Richard Demy. 12:30 p.m.

Student Percussionists Playing Led Zeppelin: Monday YouTube Fix

This clip is the convergence of a whole lot of things that are near and dear to my heart.  A grassroots nonprofit organization (the Louisville Leopard Percussionists,) students making music, and Led Zeppelin.

I will never forget where I was when I "got it" when it came to Led Zeppelin.  I was standing in the Leningrad Airport and a friend of mine had a Walkman that he handed me and said "Listen to this." I went home and had bought every album within months.

I'm wondering if this incredible clip will maybe inspire some kids to check them out and maybe instill the same kind of love in Led Zeppelin that I've now had for the last 25 years.

Regardless, these kids and this program are awesome! Enjoy!

The Louisville Leopard Percussionists is a non-profit organization offering extracurricular music opportunities to local children at little or no cost. Please help us keep our program going by donating at http://bit.ly/louleopardsdonate. http://www.louisvilleleopardpercussionists.com/ The 2014-15 Louisville Leopard Percussionists rehearsing Kashmir, The Ocean, and Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin.

Doc Severinsen: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is a three-part video of Doc Severinsen giving a wonderful clinic from the early 90's in which he actually warms up.  His clinics are always about so much more than just trumpet.  He really is a great motivator and speaker.  A true legend!

Enjoy!

A clinic by Doc Severinsen on trumpet playing. He goes through his entire warmup routine, actually warming up during the clinic. I believe this clinic was given in the early 1990's.

Part 2 of the clinic by Doc Severinsen on trumpet playing. He goes through his entire warmup routine, actually warming up during the clinic. I believe this clinic was given in the early 1990's.

Final part of the clinic by Doc Severinsen on trumpet playing. He goes through his entire warmup routine, actually warming up during the clinic. I believe this clinic was given in the early 1990's.

Sir Georg Solti and the London Philharmonic: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is a great performance of Beethoven 9 from the 1986 BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall featuring the London Philharmonic under the direction of Sir Georg Solti.  The soloists are Jessye Norman, Sarah Walker, Reiner Goldberg and Hans Sotin.  The choir is a combination of The BBC Singers, the London Voices and the Chorus of Welsh National Opera.

Enjoy!

A live VHS recording of a BBC Prom concert from the Royal Albert Hall, London.1986. Seen lots of performances of this mighty work since then, but none of them equal, or surpass this one. I do not own the copyright for this material.

Stan Kenton: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is a full concert of the Stan Kenton Orchestra from February 6, 1972 in London.  What an ensemble! Here is the track listing:

00:00 Minor Booze
04:45 Chiapas
11:57 Artistry In Percussion
17:05 MacArthur Park
23:11 Malaga
31:18 Intermission Riff
35:18 Tiare
41:18 The Peanut Vendor
47:56 Artistry In Rhythm

And here is the remarkable lineup of musicians:

Stan Kenton, Mike Vax, Dennis Noday, Jay Saunders, Ray Brown, Joe Marcinkiewicz, Dick Shearer, Mike Jamieson, Fred Carter, Mike Wallace, Phil Herring, Quin Davis, Richard Torres, Kim Frizell, Willie Maiden, Chuck Carter, Ramon Lopez, John Worster, John Von Ohlen

It doesn't get much better than this when it comes to ensemble playing.  Truly remarkable stuff.

Enjoy!

Stan Kenton In Concert Recorded In London 6 February 1972 Complete Concert 00:00 Minor Booze 04:45 Chiapas 11:57 Artistry In Percussion 17:05 MacArthur Park 23:11 Malaga 31:18 Intermission Riff 35:18 Tiare 41:18 The Peanut Vendor 47:56 Artistry In Rhythm Stan Kenton, Mike Vax, Dennis Noday, Jay Saunders, Ray Brown, Joe Marcinkiewicz, Dick Shearer, Mike Jamieson, Fred Carter, Mike Wallace, Phil Herring, Quin Davis, Richard Torres, Kim Frizell, Willie Maiden, Chuck Carter, Ramon Lopez, John Worster, John Von Ohlen.

Alarm Will Sound: Monday YouTube Fix

I was a little late to the party when it comes to Alarm Will Sound but couldn't stop listening to them when I finally discovered them.  They are an ensemble that is regularly pushing the boundaries of music and art in general through collaborations, arrangements, and new compositions.

With all the music that has been written and performed over the centuries, it is awfully refreshing and inspiring to hear a group like this which to my ears sounds like no other.  This is them performing Paul Dooley's "Point Blank (2010)" live at the Mizzou New Music Festival in July of 2010.

Enjoy!

Point Blank (2010) by Paul Dooley, premiere performance by Alarm Will Sound, Alan Pierson at the Mizzou New Music Festival, July 18, 2010. http://www.alarmwillsound.com Video production by Spectrum Studios, Columbia, Missouri http://gospectrumstudios.com/ Audio mixed and mastered by Paul du Gré http://albumcredits.com/Profile/72367 More information can be found at: http://www.pauldooley.net/works/pointblank

Rachmaninoff Documentary - The Harvest Of Sorrow: Monday YouTube Fix

Here is the final of four documentaries I've posted in the month of January.  This is a look into the fascinating life of famed pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.  The music alone interspersed throughout is worth the time to watch this.

This documentary is narrated by renowned conductor Valery Gergiev with Rachmaninoff's diary entries read by Academy Award winning actor John Gielgud.

He has quite the life story and knowing his background brings a new depth to his music for me.

Enjoy!

An interesting documentary about the life story of Sergei Rachmaninoff through the use of home movies, concert footage, and interviews. Valery Gergiev as narrator and John Gielgud voices Rachmaninoff's diaries, directed by Tony Palmer.

Leonard Bernstein: Monday YouTube Fix

Continuing with Documentary Month, this week's featured documentary is "Leonard Bernstein: Teachers and Teaching", a 1988 documentary about Bernstein's teaching philosophies.  This documentary also features Lukas Foss, Seiji Ozaza, Michael Tilson Thomas, Aaron Copland and others.

What wonderful insight into some of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century.  This video is a much watch for any music teacher of any level and for any classical music fan.

Enjoy!

Some good thoughts on teaching and some excellent things for educators and lovers of music to hear. Currently out-of-print and unavailable on DVD, I thought I'd make it available for those interested in gaining some insight into music pedagogy and the professional environment.