While I was mindlessly browsing through the various audition videos for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's YouTube concerto competition last night, I found this. This is an example of what I would call "Absolute Violin Playing." The Bruch Concerto is one piece that I have trouble listening to when played by anything less than an "Absolute" violinist (particularly when it is without accompaniment), but when the opening is played by an "Absolute" violinist, like Odin Rathnam, it becomes an inspiration.



Odin Rahnam plays the Sarabande from the Bach Partita #2
and the last movement of the Mendelssohn Octet

Wabass Workshop at Curtis

The Wabass Workshop features four days of intensive bass instruction, led by founder Ranaan Meyer and Assistant Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra Joseph Conyers. The Wabass Workshop offers a rare, affordable opportunity for bass players to receive personalized, hands-on instruction from some of the best double-bassists in the country.

Music is a universal language, and the faculty at Wabass Workshop will guide you to tell its story in different ways. Gain insight into classical repertoire, jazz techniques, and general performance skills. In a concentrated environment, learn how to improve your personal practice and become your own teacher. Participate in group master classes where constructive ...

In keeping with our light-hearted holiday celebration, and with the release of the Muppets movie, let’s feature Animal one more time. This time Animal is battling an all-time great, Buddy Rich.

Composer and bandleader Paul Motian passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York yesterday. He was 80 and lived in Manhattan. Paul early recordings with the Bill Evans trio are legendary and he had an important role in freeing the drummer from strict time-keeping duties.  

Paul was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. He recorded and played with Paul Bley, Bill Evans, Pierre Favre, Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden, Keith Jarrett.

If you are not familiar with his drumming, check out this video recorded live in the Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany, on November 13, 1973. The Keith Jarrett “American” Quintet, with Keith Jarrett (piano), Dewey Redman (tenor sax), Charlie Haden (bass) Paul ...

For those of you familiar with the (now mega famous) 10 Coin Practice Method, courtesy of my teacher, Deborah Henson-Conant, you will be THRILLED to learn that I have a new method to add to my practice artillery.

It has been deeply gladdening to receive messages from musician friends (mainly but not exclusively, there have also been some musician STRANGERS) over the past couple of months, telling me that they have been using the 10 Coin Method, enjoying it, and recommending it to others.  

This has tickled me pink for a couple of reasons:

• When it comes to writing about practice, and the perpetual battles involved therein, I have a deep-seated fear that people will  respond along the lines of ‘Why would I need ...

I've noticed that perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 of the composer opportunities on American Composer's Forum, Chamber Music America and others include age restrictions in the guidelines.  One would imagine the merits of the music would take precedence over the chronological years of its creators so I'm trying to understand the fascination with young composers.  If it is to encourage "emerging" composers or "professionals,"  it may be worth noting that with the exception of a handful of film composers and very few concert composers, all of us are non-professionals emerging towards the day when we can compose exclusively.  I encourage you to rethink the rationale behind your age guideline.

Respectfully,


Bradley Sowash
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I’m basically famous now.  

By the way, in case you’re thinking that my vanity knows no bounds, Deborah made the yellow arrows, not me.  Promise.  

 Here’s the information on a need-to-know basis:

• My name is Katya, and I’m at the beginning of a 3 month Jazz-Intensive-Study-Program with Deborah Henson-Conant, the world’s foremost electric harpist.
• She was described by the Boston Globe as ’A combination of Leonard Bernstein, Steven Tyler and Xena, the Warrior Princess.’
• This description is disturbingly accurate.
• A few years ago, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to MEET her, and yet somehow…
• I’m living in her house.
• Over 3000 miles from home
• (which is London)
• in Arlington, Massachusetts.
• I’m learning a completely new way of playing
• and I couldn’t be more excited.
• (I’m ...

The deadline for proposals for the 6^th annual International Society for Improvised Music conference and festival has been extended to October 4. The event, to be held at William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, February 16-19, 2012, will feature performances by leading improvisers and workshops by respected academics in the broad field of improvised music.

Keynote artists and performers will include Pyeng Threadgill and trio; David S. Ware and Muhammad Ali; Ikue Mori, Sylvie Courvoisier and Susie Ibarra; Mulgrew Miller; Robert Dick and Tom Buckner; Karl Berger with University of Michigan Creative, Arts Orchestra.

ISIM is calling for proposals for performances workshops, panel discussions and lectures from across the creative ...