Friday night, Sandy and I went to the Ordway to hear the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Scott Yoo conducted a great programme of Ravel, Lutoslawski, Mozart and Couperin, beginning with Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, inspired by the composer's experiences in WW1. I have always been a huge fan of Ravel, and this is one of his most captivating works. Scott Yoo and the SPCO caught all the delicate harmonies as well as the stateliness of the Couperin influence.
On Saturday afternoon, the faculty of the MacPhail Center for Music gave a short concert in the Antonello Hall. Highlights for me were the Miniatures for Flute Oboe and Piano by William Grant Still (Julie Johnson, flute), Carrie Vecchione (oboe) and Jason Alfred (piano), For Takako by Sarah Miller with Sarah Miller (piano) and Takako Seimiya Senn (trumpet), and three movements from Souvenirs by Samuel Barber, with Susano Pinto and E. Pinar Basgoze on pianos.
Showing posts with label macphail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label macphail. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Year and other musical events
Sandy and I saw in the New Year at the Dakota Jazz Club, as usual. There was a double bill of Moore by Four, followed by the Steeles. Great vocals, great food, and plenty to drink.
Last night, we went to Julie Johnson's CD release concert and party at the MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis. This was an awesome event, with many guest musicians, mostly featuring tracks from her new album, Arrest. Memorable arrangements included "Lunfardo" (Piazzolla), Assobio a jato (Villa-Lobos), and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" (Leadbelly), and Julie also played an original composition "The Removed" and a flute improvisation. The Antonelli Hall was full, and the crowd was enthusiastic. Additional players included Brian Roessler on bass, and Drew Druckrey on guitar.
I am continuing my studies in jazz piano at MacPhail this year. I am not playing much guitar; the winter is not being very kind to my hands. Hopefully, by the spring, I will have the strength and the time to return to stringed instruments.
Last night, we went to Julie Johnson's CD release concert and party at the MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis. This was an awesome event, with many guest musicians, mostly featuring tracks from her new album, Arrest. Memorable arrangements included "Lunfardo" (Piazzolla), Assobio a jato (Villa-Lobos), and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" (Leadbelly), and Julie also played an original composition "The Removed" and a flute improvisation. The Antonelli Hall was full, and the crowd was enthusiastic. Additional players included Brian Roessler on bass, and Drew Druckrey on guitar.
I am continuing my studies in jazz piano at MacPhail this year. I am not playing much guitar; the winter is not being very kind to my hands. Hopefully, by the spring, I will have the strength and the time to return to stringed instruments.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Piano lessons
My left hand still feels bad, but I am now studying jazz piano with Bryan Nichols at the MacPhail Center for Music. This is less stressful on my operated-on finger than guitar or bass, though more stressful otherwise, because my piano playing needs much more work. Luckily, Bryan is an awesome teacher, and we are digging into some great standards from the Real Book.
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