World Music Exploration - Anoushka Shankar

After a whirlwind Easter Break, my students and I return to lessons this week (the final leg before June). This month, I am whisking them away - musically - to India.

The sitar weaves an exotic melody against the backdrop of the tabla. Our featured artist, Anoushka Shankar, is considered a leading figure in World Music today. Her early music training was in Indian classical music, under the tutelage of her father Ravi Shankar. Shankar is a composer as well, exploring crossover music, e.g. Indian music and flamenco or electronica. A Grammy nominee, she was the first Indian woman to perform at the Grammy Awards (2006). Anoushka Shankar is also the first female (and the youngest) to receive a House of Commons Shield from the British House of Parliament (1999).

Check out more of Anoushka Shankar's music here:

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - La Oreja de Van Gogh

Thanks again to my Virtual Choir mate Luma Zuri for finding this week's clip of the week. We are exploring the music of La Oreja de Van Gogh (Van Gogh's Ear). This Spanish pop/rock band earned an Ondas Award for Best New Act for their debut "Dile al Sol".

La Oreja de Van Gogh

is popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

This is Comets in the Sky (Cometas por al Cielo):

La Oreja de Van Gogh Website

Click on the CD image below to check out more of La Oreja de Van Gogh's music:

(c) 2012 by Musespeak (TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - Fandango by Antonio Soler

The first time I heard the music of Soler was at the Honens International Piano Competition. The sonata reminded me a bit of Domenico Scarlatti's music.Years later, I learned his Sonata in c# minor, which was a lot of fun:

This week, I'm introducing Padre Antonio Soler to my students.

This Spanish (more specifically, Catalan) priest and composer lived  from 1729 - 1783. He is best known for his 120 keyboard sonatas. Soler also composed chamber music, organ concerti and liturgical music.

My ears did not deceive me all those years ago. There is also a Scarlatti connection. Soler was a pupil of Scarlatti

.Here is the clip I'm sharing with my students. The harpsichordist is Mayako Sone from Japan:

The fandango is a Spanish dance. It's a spirited dance in triple meter, usually played on guitar and castanets. It can be sung as well.

If you're up for a challenge, you can get your sheet music for Fandango here:

look inside

Fandango Composed by Padre Antonio Soler (1729-1783). Edited by Samuel Rubio. Music Sales America. Classical. Book Only. Union Musical Ediciones #MUSUMP21604. Published by Union Musical Ediciones (HL.14030574).

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM) . All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - Spanish Flamenco

This month, we are exploring the music and culture of Spain. I have some relatives there whom I hope to visit someday.

Flamenco music is very old. Some pundits believe the style "evolved out of a mixture of early Byzantine, Arab, Jewish and Gypsy cultures in Andalucía". That makes sense historically, considering some of the cultures Spain traded with (or conquered).

You only have to listen/watch a few bars to see how rhythmically and technically challenging it is. This type of traditional Spanish music is played by guitar and castanets. And I understand that the cajón is used as well.

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.

World Music Exploration - Andrea Bocelli

This week, we are listening to Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, sometimes referred to as "the fourth tenor."  He has made a name for himself in opera as well as pop ballads, having recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, Eros Ramazzotti and Al Jarreau, This is "Dare to Live" (Vivere), one of my favourite tracks from from The Best of Andrea Bocelli:

It was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2008.

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.