How to Write a Fugue!

Daniel Pi's wonderfully clever and whimsical explanation of how to write counterpoint, using as a theme the Brittney Spears hit song "Oops, I did it again."

If you're really interested, you can even find the sheet music here.

Daniel's channel on YouTube has some other interesting videos. Visit him here.

Susan Graham Interview

Barbara Rose Shuler had a conversation with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham a few days ago. Ms. Graham was on the Amtrak Metroliner from D.C. to NYC, after singing in a special concert for the Supreme Court justices.

You can read Barbara Rose's article in yesterday's GO! Magazine (Monterey Herald) or read it online here  (The Monterey Herald now requires registration to access articles more than a day or two old. It's free and takes just a moment.)


Ms. Graham sings a fabulous recital of French songs at 3:00pm on Sunday at Sunset Center in Carmel. Tickets available via Carmel Music Society or at the door. David Gordon gives a pre-concert talk at 2:00pm onstage.

Susan Graham is singing in Carmel on Nov 29!

Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano, will be singing a fabulous recital of French songs at Sunset Center in Carmel on November 29. It's an innovative concert of 24 songs by 22 different 19th and 20th century French composers.

Ms. Graham is one of our current vocal stars, a real gem. Met-at-the-Movies fans saw her host the Metropolitan Opera's TV broadcast of Puccini's Tosca. She will sing the title role in the Met's TV broadcast of Der Rosenkavalier in January.

Here is a video clip to whet your appetite: "Parto parto" by Mozart, sung at a Met Opera Gala. If you'd like to see more of Susan Graham, just follow this link to visit a YouTube listing of Susan Graham videos.



Would you like to hear more of this fabulous American singer? Come to her recital this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in Carmel's Sunset Center. You'll find details on the Carmel Music Society website.

The Healing Powers of Music

In the 1990s I began studying the powers of music and sound to heal and transform. My workshop partner in those years was Don Campbell, author of "The Mozart Effect" and much of our work was during the time he was writing the book. In our seminars across the country we taught – and and witnessed – the ability of music to strengthen the mind, energize the body, and heal the spirit.

Listening to music can also help stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help restore some cognitive function.  As neuroscientists begin to understand how that happens, they are starting to work hand in hand with music therapists to develop new therapeutic programs.

Read more in this article from the Wall Street Journal===>

~David

Opera at the Movies

Two thoughts after seeing “Turandot” at the movies last night.

1. The Met Opera has created what can surely be called a “new art form” with fabulous camerawork, high quality sound, high-definition video, and fascinating intermission features. Frankly, it’s more fun that actually going to the real opera!

2. We are at the mercy of whichever employee in the theater happens to be in control of lights and extraneous stuff.

Example 1. Last night (Turandot) instead of the Met Opera visuals for 20-30 minutes before the performance, we were treated to a 2-minute endlessly repeating series of ads for something called “FathomEvents” publicizing, among other things, Glen Beck. Spare me.

Example 2. Immediately after the performance of Turandot, a huge DirectDish logo appeared on the screen and pop music started to boom.

Sigh.

If you were there, and were bothered by these things, drop a line to the theater manager

Century Cinemas
1700 Del Monte Center
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-8051

Despite all this, don't miss this wonderful opera series: there are more Met broadcasts scheduled. Live broadcasts on Saturday mornings, and “encore” rebroadcasts a week or two later on Wednesday evening. View the schedule on the CMM Calendar page.

~David

Carmel Bach Festival Youth Chorus 2009

.."a really great awesome free thing."

In only five years, Carmel Bach Festival Chorus Master John Koza has established a high school-age a cappella vocal group with an impressive track record and reputation.

Click here to view Doug Mueller's 8-minute video vignette of the 2009 Youth Chorus....

Since its debut season as an SATB ensemble in 2005, the Carmel Bach Festival Youth Chorus has become a beloved part of the Bach Festival. Each summer they present their own a capella concerts, perform on stage in Sunset Center with the professional Festival Orchestra and Chorale, and take part in our Community Concerts in Salinas, Santa Cruz and King City.

The two dozen singers are 19 years old or under, and in most cases, once they have tasted the excitement of the Bach Festival, they re-audition annually until they have reached the age limit.  
Bravi tutti to the Youth Chorus and their tireless and creative Director, John Koza!

Doug Mueller is a filmmaker and theater professional. In the summers he serves as Production Manager for the Carmel Bach Festival.  His website is www.douglasmueller.net

The classical music season is just warming up!

Monterey Herald's weekly "GO!" Magazine features Barbara Rose Shuler's column "Intermezzo".

In the November 12 column she gives a great plug for this blog and the ClassicalMusicMatters website!

Read the entire column here.....

Thank you, Barbara Rose, for being such a wonderful cheerleader for local classical music events!

Piano Master Class at Sunset Center

On Sunday November 8, the Carmel Music Society presented a piano master class in the backstage rehearsal room at Sunset Center in Carmel.

The presiding master teacher was the distinguished pianist, Hans Boepple, Professor of Music at Santa Clara University.

Read the full review on PeninsulaReviews.com

Bravo to Carmel Music Society for sponsoring this wonderful event.

Visit the Carmel Music Society Website

An Interview With Susan Graham: The Intimate Singer

San Francisco Classical Voice, November 3, 2009

by Jason Victor Serinus

Texas-born mezzo-soprano Susan Graham is one of today's true stars, a fascinating and wonderful artist. She will give a recital at Sunset Center on Sunday November 29 at 3:00pm.

In this conversation she discusses her life and career.

Read the interview on SFCV »

For information about the Susan Graham recital in Carmel on November 29, visit the Carmel Music Society website.

We will post a video clip of Ms Graham in the week before her recital.

Music and Video - a fascinating short film

Jennifer Koh's video scores, via Oberlin Conservatory

Local Students Win Prizes in Piano Competition

The 2009 Paderewski Youth Festival Piano Competition took place in Paso Robles on October 24. Out of the 24 finalists, four out of the seven cash awards were won by students of Monterey County music teachers.
Congratulations to the hard-working students and their (hard working!) teachers!
  Senior Division
    • Kevin Chen, 17, 2nd Prize, pupil of Lyn Bronson
 Junior Division
    • Hyun-Jee Kim, 13, 1st Prize, pupil of Ha-Yung Rhee
    • Jordan Adams, 14, 2nd Prize, pupil of Lyn Bronson
    • Madeline Anderson, 13, 4th Prize, pupil of Lyn Bronson
Awards Concert
On November 14th the seven winners will be heard during the 2009 Paderewski Festival in an awards concert in the Grand Ballroom of the Paso Robles Inn (designed by the great architect Stanford White in 1891).

Read the entire online press release here

Addendum:
Reader Jeff D. writes:
"Fantastic! Paderewski owned property in Paso Robles, and there is a museum of sorts at the Paso Robles Inn. Well worth seeing. Local artist Jesse Corsaut did a life size bronze of the Polish patriot and pianist for the people who currently own that ranch."