World Music Exploration - Lang Lang

This week, we are exploring Chinese classical music. This was a hard choice. I could have picked some pieces that a few of my students are working on this year, but opted to introduce them to someone new.

Pianist Lang Lang is a colorful character. The New York Times describes this young musician as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet”. He has performed in sold out recitals and concerts major cities throughout the world. Lang Lang is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and many of the top American orchestras. 

I've heard that traditionalists don't like Lang Lang's style because he is dramatic and flashy. However, he's a fan favorite because he is dramatic and flashy.

Here is Lang Lang performing "Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake". So far, my students say they picture geese gliding across the lake, people riding their bikes around the lake and people star gazing. Imagery at its best.

(May 11 addendum) Two of my students today found Lang Lang's movements and expressions highly distracting. One even said that "he looks like he's choking on a piece of gum" when we watched this video: Ah yes, a whole different set of imagery. This led to a conversation about how our outfits and gestures should reflect the character of the piece we are performing - amidst a great deal of giggling.

Check out some of Lang Lang's recordings by clicking on the icon:

(c) 2011 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - Traditional Chinese Music

May is Asian Heritage Month in Calgary. My students and I are celebrating by exploring music from China.

First up is a performance featuring the guzheng, a traditional Chinese table harp. It also looks like one of the ladies is playing on a five-piece paigu (tunable traditional drum-set).

Unfortunately, there is no title to this particular number. However, our world music exploration so far has shown that traditional music tends to be about historical events, nature or daily life long ago. It is very easy to imagine battle scenes during the driving parts and a graceful dance during the slow, middle section.

Here is the music video:

(c) 2011 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - R n B Artist PROFF

We are wrapping up our exploration of Kenyan music with the R'n'B artist Proff. You can definitely hear its connection to soul and reggae (or ragga) music.

Unfortunately, I can't track down a lot of information about Proff, which leads me to believe that he's relatively new and is on the rise, judging from the YT views.

Here's "Data":

World Music Exporation - Rufftone

This week, we are exploring the music of Kenyan gospel artist Rufftone (Roughtone). His musical style has been described as "Reggae, Afro- Kapuka". He has been nominated for numerous awards, including Gospel of the Year at Africa's Kora Awards, International Artist of the Year at the 2004 America Gospel Music Awards and Album of the Year at the 2003 Kisima Awards.

He won Artist of the Year at the 2004 Groove Awards. He has performed throughout Africa, the USA and United Kingdom.According to KenyanGospel.com, the title song of his 2003 album, Mwikulu, Luhya for heaven "is about how people would like to go to heaven, and yet they forget the simple rules. It is a fusion of Zouk (party music) and African ragga.

Here's a clip:

(c) 2011 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

New Videos on Musespeak Youtube Channel

Videos from some our performances at SAJETAA's Hana Matsuri are up on my Youtube Channel.Here's one of them:

Proceeds from the event will go to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

We performed six Jpop numbers:

• "Tsubasa wo kudasai" from Neon Genesis Evangelion and K-On!

• "Houki Boshi" from Bleach

• "This is My Road" from Guin Saga

• "Crossbeats" by Pia no Jac

• "Fukai Mori" by Do As Infinity

• "Shima Uta" by The Boom

We're still playing around with the set but hope to perform it again soon.

(c) 2011 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.