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If you really love classical music and jazz but can’t stand those elitist review magazines, you will find this a refreshing change of pace. Here we discuss music seriously but not pompously. If you enjoy classical music because it’s “calming” or “beautiful,” however, you’ve come to the wrong place. Yes, a few pieces have their place because of exquisite construction, but for the most part this is a site where you will read about and be directed to performances that have guts and passion and feeling. If you don’t feel the music you play, do us all a favor and give up. The world needs shoe repairpeople and apple pickers too, you know.
The best composers and musicians had/have something to say, and I particularly love those who said something that challenges you and makes you think. The late Jon Vickers used to say that “great art asks questions, but doesn’t provide answers.” I firmly believe that great music is the most positive force in our lives because it has the power to inspire and elate us as well as make us think. Even more, great music will never let you down. It will ALWAYS be there for you to give emotional and intellectual support. Your job, friends, even relatives may disappoint you and let you down, possibly even betray you, but music will never do that. Its power to move and inspire you is eternal and everlasting.
If you are one of those who feel attracted to classical music but don’t know where to start, I recommend The Rough Guide to Classical Music (4th edition). If you want to learn quickly about jazz, try Jazz 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Jazz by John F. Szwed. Or just hang around this site and read the reviews and blogs posted here.
I will be working on a recommended performances guide as time permits, and posting parts of it here as they are finished. In addition, I will be reviewing new releases on and off as the spirit moves me.
Enjoy!
*****READ ALL ABOUT LYNN’S BOOK: FROM BAROQUE TO BOP AND BEYOND!*****
THE PENGUIN’S GIRLFRIEND’S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MUSIC!
You’ll love it! Or you won’t!
Hey gang…check out my newest listings as of May 27, 2018…lots of them in Composers – Sa/Sc, and now complete through Composers – R!
Even Newer!
Toscanini In and Of His Time
An approach to Arturo Toscanini’s conducting style and musicianship in a different light. A work in progress, I’ve uploaded the first six segments for your enjoyment (I hope). Feedback appreciated.
OR
Read my latest blog posts:
Noseda’s Superb “Symphonie Fantastique”
Simon Rattle’s “Das Lied” Adventure
Weinberg’s 13th Symphony on CD At Last
Hampson Sings Chicago Songs
Mike Freeman & ZonaVibe Explore “Venetian Blinds”
UNT’s “Lab Band” Plays the Rhythm of the Road
Brecker Gets Together With the UMO Jazz Orchestra
Steven Taetz Delights in Charming New CD
Delan Sings Dickinson Songs
Cruz-Romo’s Superb “Forza”
Neeme Järvi Does Stenhammar
Alberto Pibiri Honors the Jazz Legacy
Greg Diaz’ Wonderful Jazz Orchestra Debuts
Agudin’s Splendid New “Emperor of Atlantis”
Cheung Explores “Cycles and Arrows”
Hartmut Rohde Plays Josef Tal
The Ken Thomson Sextet in Their Little Red Wagon
Salonen Nails Stravinsky’s “Perséphone”
Liebowitz & Flick’s Surprisingly Brilliant CD
Hannigan Presents Vienna in the Fin de Siècle Era
Carlos Kalmar Presents “Aspects of America”
Cervini’s Turboprop is Full of Abundance
Boughton & Jones Play Joubert
The Lyrique Quintette Celebrate Arrivals & Departures
Nagano Conducts Rihm and Beintus
Discovering Walter Braunfels
Celebrating Rautavaara’s 90th Birthday
Miguel Zenón’s “Tradición”
Marta Brankovich, Goth Piano Girl
Koukl Plays Lutosławski
Mohajer Presents “Pictures of the Hidden”
Harbison’s Requiem
Falletta Conducts Schreker
Far-Outside Jazz from Perelman & Mahall
Brennan & Pago Libre Out on a Limb
Dirigo Rataplan’s New Album
Ethan Ardelli Discovers “The Island of Form”
Mark Masters Plays With Jazz Masters
Keith Oxman Teams Up With Dave Liebman
The Pedroia String Quartet Plays Quadrants
Enescu’s “Ghosts” Gets Its First Recording
Morten Haxholm’s “Vestigium”
Exploring the Music of Richard Arnell
Nikolas Anadolis Burns in Heidelberg
Pyrć Plays Ekier & Symanowski
Morlot’s New Berlioz “Requiem”
McCloskey’s Fascinating “Zealot Canticles”
For links to older blog posts (beginning March 2016) click HERE
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at artmusiclady(at)outlook .com
Other sites of wonder to discover:
The Opera Scribe
Jazz in Europe
Emily’s Music Dump
The Music Parlour – Historical Releases
Jazz Lives
Composer Charles Ruggiero
Jazz Radio Network
WWFM Classical Streaming
Jazzbreak (many sound clips & videos available here)
John Todaro Photography
boa sorte/good luck .Lonie Levister from Nazare, Portugal
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Very nice site, Lynn! I would expect no less from you.
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Thanks…I hope to make it even better as time goes on!
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You’re off to a great start! Congratulations!
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Sounds like the perfect site to get one self oriented and off ine right direction to experience these genres of music. Tnanks for taking this project on and so willingly sharing. Bob in Canada. PS: I learned of your site via Marie Lamb on Facebook.
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My thanks to EVERYONE who has been visiting my site and reading my reviews! My stats are way up, which makes me very happy, and more importantly, helps the wonderful artists I write about. Now if only I can get the jazz people to read the classical posts and vice-versa!
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This is very interesting, You’re a very
skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward
to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
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Thank you!
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After watching the video of Turandot with Corelli and Udovich, I looked her up online because I had never heard of her before. That’s how I found your comments about her singing. I don’t know if she is the best Turandot ever but she sang In questa reggia with as little screaming as possible. I’m not a musician, but even I can comprehend what a fiendish piece of music it is.
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