Arca & Arca Perform Pia no Jac

My students, my brother's students, our family, friends and I are exhausted from a weekend full of recitals. My studio recital took place on Saturday, while my brother's was yesterday. The kids did fairly well and there were many pleased parents and grandparents.

One thing we like to do is to perform at our studio recitals. The purpose is two-fold: to keep our own skills up and secondly, to show our students and their families that yes, we really can play.

This year, we have been exploring the music of Pia no Jac, a Japanese piano/cajon duo. The technical challenges are quite different from what we've encountered when we were taking lessons. 

Here's footage of our latest performance. First off is Crossbeats, which features Jay on piano and myself on the cajon

The second is Habanera based on Bizet's Carmen. This time, I'm on the piano and Jay's playing the cajon:

I wonder how many of my students looked up "Pia no Jac" after the recital.

Want to explore Pia no Jac? Click on the CD below and off you go:

World Music Exploration - Traditional Brazilian Dance

This month, my students and I are exploring the music of Brazil. Traditional Brazilian music music reflects the cultures that existed in the formation of this South American country: Africa, Europe and the indigenous people of the region.

So far, my students have said that this music resembles the music of our First Nations peoples. Others have commented that it sounds rather African:

World Music Exploration - Jane Zhang

We wrap up our exploration of Chinese music with pop artist Jane Zhang. In 2005, this Chinese pop superstar auditioned for the talent show Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Super Girl (also referred to as Super Voice Girl). 

Although she didn't win the competition, Zhang was considered the "breakout star". She has 15 number one hit singles and was named China's Best Female Artist three years running.

She made her debut performance in North America on the Oprah Show. Here is Jane Zhang performing one of her hits from 2010, Can't Do It (Ban Bu Dao):

Want to hear more Jane Zhang? Click on the CD icon below and happy exploring!

World Music Exploration - Chinese Opera and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Soundtrack

This week, my students and I are eagerly anticipating the May long weekend. It's our last breather before the final round of non-stop recitals and examinations.

It was a toss up between Chinese opera and a movie soundtrack. Like European opera, Chinese opera is a spectacle of song, instrumental music, drama and dance. However, the melodies and the harmonies are unlike European music.

Here's a clip from Sacrifice of a Princess, complete with English subtitles:

I can picture some of my students cringing. They do that with any opera music though. On the other hand, my dog loves opera and enjoys this clip immensely.

I imagine this next clip will be a hit for my male and female students alike.

This is the second fight scene between actresses Ziyi Zhang and Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon:

I really enjoyed this movie. The fights are beautifully choreographed, while the music blends in seamlessly into the fabric of the story. 

In this clip, the war drum aptly underscores the mounting tension between these two warriors.

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:

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