I had the opportunity to hear the music of Dustin O'Halloran (http://www.dustinohalloran.com/) for the first time last week, when he performed in concert with Rachel Grimes (http://www.rachelgrimespiano.com). I love the way his music sort of propels forward, slowly and gracefully like a wave toward the shore. At least that's the impression I get. Below is... Continue Reading →
Shimmering novas
This is the fourth and final installment of my Flying at Night series for solo piano and video, based on the poem of the same name by Ted Kooser (www.tedkooser.net). This is a reflection on the closing lines of the poem: All night, the cities, like shimmering novas,/tug with bright streets at lonely lights like... Continue Reading →
Pancakes
This week cellist Wayne Krigger and I led a music workshop for a group of pre-k through 3rd graders. It started with a bang when I asked the kids to name a few composers and they came up with Beethoven and Michael Jackson. Not bad. Wayne played a few of my compositions, then we worked... Continue Reading →
Star Mars
More fun with comparisons. Listen to the similarities between early 20th Century composer Gustav Holst's composition "Mars the Bringer of War" and the "Imperial March" theme by Star Wars composer John Williams. And may the force be with you.
One Bach Republic
Listen to the cello in this great song by One Republic and compare with the prelude to Bach's first cello suite below. Love the similarity; beautiful music all around...
Spiegel im Spiegel
This music composed by Estonian monk Arvo Part seems fitting to me given world events - a message of peace and reflection. The title translation is "mirror in the mirror."
Ben Sollee
Ben Sollee did a recent performance/workshop at my kids' school; below are some photos I snapped (and edited in PhotoShop). What can I say, it was awesome. I'm not sure where else you could hear a program begin with Bach and conclude with Cat Stevens (with a breathtaking originals in between), and hold the attention... Continue Reading →
…from pain
I was listening to an interview on NPR on Saturday with British rapper Ben Drew (“Plan B”), and at one point he said, to paraphrase, that the best art comes from pain. I think there’s a lot of truth to that statement, although I realize I’m taking it out of context. For me, music often... Continue Reading →
Visual Life
This is a great short film/documentary about cellist Zoe Keating; it's worth a look just for the soundtrack and of course her observations about music are really poignant.
Listen…
I've added a new page to the blog (click "Listen" above) and will be posting audio samples -- for now I've posted Six Memories performed live at Hear+Now, hope you enjoy.
Line & Landscape 