The Piano Guys Just Want to Have Fun

A fun post for today. With almost 700,000 views on their Youtube Channel, The Piano Guys are a bona fide Internet sensation.

Check out their new interview on their YT Channel about how they got started, how they have inspired each other and in turn, the rest of us, to just have fun with music. They each talk a bit about how music has impacted their lives.

By far, Cello Wars remains a favourite among my students:

Check out The Piano Guys' first album on Amazon:

Want more Piano Guys? Visit their website.

Album Review - My Road - Songs from Guin Saga

When it was first announced that Satelight would be animating Guin Saga, the fantasy novel series by the late Kaoru Kurimoto, anime discussion forums on sites such as Animesuki and the Final Fantasy Shrine buzzed with excitement over two names involved with the project: director Atsushi Wakabayashi (Ghost in the Shell, Naruto) and composer Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger). After the first episode of Guin Saga aired, otaku were singing the praises of Kanon's This is My Road, comparing her voice to Enya and Sarah Brightman.

My Road - Songs from Guin SagaAlbum Details

• Artist: Kanon

• Supervisor: Nobuo Uematsu

• Recording Producers: Masa Sakuma & Kensuke Matsushita

• Label: Sony Music Japan International Inc.

• Released: August 26, 2009

My Road - Songs from Guin Saga Tracks

Kanon's affinity for classical music is evident in the opening chords of This is My Road. The opening sounds rather similar to George Fredrick Handel's haunting Sarabande & Variations in d minor. This is hardly surprising considering that Handel is one of her favourite composers

Kanon incorporates some Gregorian Chant ("Benedictus") to her musical quote of Handel before launching into the bridge by the piano. The drums and strings swell gently, leading up to Kanon's sweeping melodic line of the main theme.

Marius' Song is a haunting track with a Medieval/early Renaissance flavor. The juxtaposition of the lute against gentle modern percussion, choir and strings may seem strange; but it works. The weaving vocal lines near the end are stunning. Throughout, Kanon's tone remains clear and pure.

Track 3 is a music box instrumental version of This is My Road.

Where-er you go - Cavalleria Rusticana, shows off Kanon's classical training. The form is very much like a operatic aria. The song showcases Kanon's wide vocal range. The tempo is slow, testing her breath control.

Moonlight (or "Unfulfilled Wish - Moonlight) opens with a melancholic melody sung by Kanon, underscored by soft chords in the organ. Then it switches to a contemporary ballad with acoustic piano (performed by Kanon herself) and electronica accompaniment. The piano bridge and comping nod to jazz harmonies and comping style.

The sixth track is an instrumental music box version of Where-er you go - Cavalleria Rusticana.

Rounding out the CD is an English version of This is My Road.

My Road - Songs from Guin Saga

Kanon

Kanon - A Classical Contemporary Artist Making Waves in Japan's New Age Music Scene

Kanon was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1980. Her musical studies took her abroad, which greatly influence her compositional style and musical tastes. She made her debut in 2002, shortly after graduating from the College of Music in Queensland, Australia. In her 2004 album release, Hymn of Grace, Kanon's compositions were featured for the first time.

In 2004, Sony Music Japan International signed her onto the Sony Music label. In 2006, Kanon was asked to perform at the FIFA World Cup Germany-Asia event and Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale 2007 (MIDEM) as Japan's elite musical ambassador.

Kanon caught the attention of gamers with her music in the Tales of Legendia series.

With her Western influenced music, Kanon is considered a New Age artist in Japan although she staunchly defines style as "classical contemporary".

About Guin Saga

The anime adaptation ofGuin Saga focuses on Rinda and Remus, the "twin pearls" of the kingdom of Parros. Their parents, the king and queen, were slain when the Mongaul army invaded their country. The twins escape via an ancient device and are tranported into enemy territory. They meet Guin, a man with superhuman strength and amnesia. Guin wears a leopard mask that cannot be removed. Guin, Rinda and Remus meet allies and fight Monguls in their journey to Parros and their quest to recover Guin's memories.

A Beautiful Voice But Album Lacks Variety

My Road - Songs from Guin Saga contains beautiful, lilting and haunting melodies that showcase Kanon's angelic tone and technique. However, the songs all sound similar in style, melodies, form and tempo.

For more information about Kanon, visit the Channel-Ai Community Blog and Kanon's Official Website.

Originally published December 21, 2009 on Suite101.com . All rights are reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Calgary Jazz Orchestra Plays Mingus and Peterson Concert Review

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra opened its 2010-11 season on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Calgary's River Park Church. The concert featured big band jazz arrangements of music by Oscar Peterson and Charles Mingus.

An impromptu survey conducted by CJO director Johnny Summers at the beginning of the programme revealed that few people in the audience had heard of Charles Mingus. The group hoped that pairing Mingus with Peterson would attract more interest in Mingus' music.

Calgary Jazz Orchestra Performed The Music of Charles Mingus

The first half of the programme featured the jazz music of Charles Mingus. He was an American bassist, pianist, bandleader and composer who lived from 1922 – 1979. The set list reflected the stark contrasts and moodiness indicative of Mingus' musical style.

The band opened with "Boogie Stop Shuffle", from the Mingus Ah Um album released in 1959. It's a lively boogie that featured breathtaking solos. Each soloist seemed determined to outperform each other by playing faster, higher and funkier. Drummer Greg Baker drew out cries of astonishment and awe with his lightning fast solo.

Members of the jazz band exhibited a fight for virtuosic supremacy in "Haitian Fight Song" from the 1957 album The Clown. It began simply enough but quickly revealed an edgy, punchy groove as members clashed repeatedly for the duration of the number.

During "Moanin'", Sarah Matheson proved on her baritone sax that she can hold her own amidst this male-dominated jazz band. Her solos were fiery and gritty, which matched the angst of this piece from Mingus' 1959 album Blues & Roots.

Two slower pieces rounded out the first half of the concert programme. "My Jelly Roll Soul", an homage to Jelly Roll Morton and "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", which is a tribute to Lester Young.

Calgary Jazz Orchestra Performed The Music of Oscar Peterson

The second set was dedicated to Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson (1925-2007). He is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists in the 20th and 21st centuries. The programme featured a premiere performance of Johnny Summers and Greg Baker's arrangement of Peterson's Canadiana Suite.

The eight pieces in Canadiana Suite represent various cities and regions throughout Canada, spanning east to west. In "Peterson, Oscar" in The Canadian Encyclopedia by Betty Nygaard King, Canadiana is Peterson's best-known work. The Canadiana Suite album was recorded in 1964.

Bob Erlendson opened "Ballad to the East" with a sensitive and lyrical jazz piano solo. Johnny Summers on trumpet, Rubim de Toledo on bass and Greg Baker on drums also performed solos.

"Place St. Henri" is a catchy number that captures the hustle and bustle of Montreal, where Peterson grew up. Dr. Jeremy Brown (saxophone) and Johnny Summers (trumpet) delivered rapid-fire solos that spanned the entire range of their respective instruments. Once again, Greg Baker matched their virtuosic velocity on drums.

"March Past", an upbeat number brought Canadiana to an end. This featured lightning fast solos on piano, bass, sax and trumpet. Other numbers in Canadiana Suite that were performed were "Laurentide Waltz", "Hogtown Blues", "Wheatland" and "Land of the Misty Giants".

At the end of the programme, Greg Baker called out the encore. "Can the drummer do that?" asked Johnny Summers. The audience shuffled back to hear a relaxing rendition of "Easy Does It" from the Oscar Peterson Trio's album Night Train.

The audience responded with cheers, applause and gasps of amazement throughout the concert. At the conclusion of the evening, the audience rose quickly to give the CJO a standing ovation.

About the Calgary Jazz Orchestra

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra is a sixteen-member jazz band that was founded in 2004. Gerry Hebert, Rich Harding, Dr. Jeremy Brown, Shane Statz and Sarah Matheson make up the saxophone section. Johnny Summers, Kim Beachum, Gordon Wilhelm and Al Muirhead play trumpet. Jim Scott, Carsten Rubeling, Mike Thomas and Dave Reid form the trombone section. The rhythm section is comprised of Bob Erlendson on piano, Rubim de Toledo on bass and Greg Baker on drums.

The band arrangements for this programme were by Johnny Summers and Greg Baker. The CJO is directed by Johnny Summers.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra got the 2010-11 season off to a rousing start with The Music of Charles Mingus and Oscar Peterson on Sunday, September 26, 2010. The performance was filled with rapid-fire solos and "crunchy" harmonies.

This concert review was originally published on Suite101.com . All rights are reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Calgary Wind Symphony Presents Music of Mysteries, Legends & Ritual

Mystery, legends and rituals are on tap when the Calgary Wind Symphony  performs on Sunday March 3 at 2:30 PM. 

"Music of Mysteries, Legends and Ritual" will showcase the Canadian première of Concerto for Saxophone composed by Kenneth Fuchs. Featured soloists for this concert include Dr. Jeremy Brown (saxophone) and Terri Shouldice (flute). Wendy Freeman will take to the podium as the guest conductor. The programme will also feature La Fiesta Mexicanais and Poem by Charles Griffes.

The Calgary concert will be held at  Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary. Tickets are $15/adult and $/students & senior. You can buy concert tickets on the Calgary Wind Symphony's website and Eventbrite.

The Calgary Wind Symphony is a 60-member ensemble, directed by Dr. Jeremy Brown of the University of Calgary. Formerly known as the Calgary Concert Band, the ensemble has been active in Calgary’s musical community since 1947. The band went on a European tour in 2011, performing to enthusiastic audiences in Italy and Austria.

In the summer of 2012, the CCC changed its name to the “Calgary Wind Symphony”. The CWS operates under the Calgary Concert Band Society.

Earlier this season, the Calgary Wind Symphony presented "Hilarious Holidays". This was a highly entertaining and festive concert. Click here for my concert review.

The Anime Music on Melodica Project

Last fall, I picked up a melodica, AKA, the wind piano. It's an odd little instrument. It kind of sounds like an accordion. At first, I thought it would be an easy instrument to learn, seeing as I've been singing and playing the piano for years. A portable instrument that you could toss in your car and bring to a party or an anime con and have people call out "Nodame! Rappushodi- i-n buru- kudasai!" or "Can you play anything from Sword Art Online?"

とても むずかしい です！Playing the melodica takes up more air power than I realized. Not to mention, it's very different to play on a keyboard sideways, where your visibility is limited.

After seeing this video of Jonathan Ong play Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu on melodica, my おとうと and I realized just how much work we have ahead of us to master this piece of plastic:

Then, we watched Jonathan and his brother perform Mozart's Rondo alla Turk:

This gave us an idea. Why not take some of those funky JPop and video game songs that are impossible to play as a solo piano arrangement and play them as a melodica duet? In addition to some good ol' classics?

We have started working on some classic tunes from Azumanga Daioh, Tetris, Super Mario, Star Wars and Bleach. I've been working hard on saying, "Hai! Deskimashita!" just like Chiyo-chan in "Chiyo-chan no Tsukurimashou".

Feel free to send in requests. We can't promise we'll get to them right away (or that they are melodica friendly), but we'll certainly try!