World Music Exploration - Rhapsody in g minor by Brahms

This week's selection is one of my personal faves, ever since I brother learned it many moons ago.

Johannes Brahms lived from 1833 - 1897. Like all the other selections this month, Brahms hailed from Germany. He wrote works for piano, orchestra, singers and several small chamber ensembles. I've heard many times that a certain level of emotional maturity is needed to play his works well. Having played and heard several of his works, I tend to agree.

This is Brahms' Rhapsody in g minor, op. 79 no. 2.

It's in ABA (ternary) form as many works from the Romantic period are. It's stormy and full of angst. As some of my students have sensed, there's an element of melancholy as well.

The pianist is Martha Argerich from Argentina. She won the seventh International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1965. This reclusive musician is hailed as one of the greatest pianists of our time.

World Music Exploration - Handel's Messiah

This week, we are exploring the Messiah oratorio composed by George Fredrick Handel.

Handel was an interesting character. Born in Germany, immigrated to England. His opera seria were popular back in the day. Then, when the middle class began their ascent into power, opera seria wasn't so popular. Handel turned to oratorios as one way to win back audiences.

He wrote this oratorio about Jesus Christ in under 24 days. Some sources say he didn't leave his home until it was finished.

I enjoyed singing this part back in my university days. Here's "For Unto Us a Child is Born":

World Music Exploration - Traditional German Music

As November draws to a close, my students and I shift our focus to Germany. This week, we are looking at traditional dance music.

This is a Schuhplattler, traditional slapping dance that is Austrian in origin.

It would appear that it is a courtship dance of sorts, where the guys "fight" each other for a girl's affections. There used to be no rhyme or reason to the jumping and slapping but now there are set steps. It's in 3/4 time.

World Music Exploration - Canadian Pop and Rock

Last week was Canada Music Week. I let my students choose which Canadian artist or band they'd like to share with me. Here are a few of their choices:

Celine Dion: we have been admiring her vocal range and stage presence.

Justin Bieber: Well, my students in his fan demographic would say "he's awesome". He's a cute kid. I like the drum grooves.

Frank Mills: This was one of the first "fun" (AKA, "supplemental") pieces my mom "asked" me to learn. Isn't Music Box Dancer catchy?

Two of my students introduced me to Cœur de Pirate last year. She sang at the 2011 Calgary Folk Fest. Here's C'était Salement Romantique:

World Music Exploration - Andrew Ager

Maestro gives his seal of approval (energetic singing) on this week's featured entry. This week we are learning about Canadian Composer Andrew Ager. 

Andrew Ager is a living composer. He has been the Composer-in-Residence of the Georgian Bay Symphony and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Ager has composed music for orchestra, chamber ensembles and opera. 

This is a clip from his 2005 opera "Frankenstein" based on Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (a collaboration with Tryptych Productions of Toronto) 

He has received grants from the Laidlaw Foundation, The Ontario Arts Council and The Canada Council for the Arts.

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