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 July 9, 2017…lots of them! Now complete up through Composers Ma/Me!
OR
Read my latest blog posts:
Happy 100th Birthday, Inge Borkh!
Harriet Mackenzie’s Wonderland of New Works
Dominic John’s “24+1” a Great Trip
Ponce’s Piano Music Brought to Life by Cendoya
Cervetti’s “Triptych Celebration” Powerful, Moving
Matt Haimovitz’ New Album a Mixed Bag
Beirach and Huebner Cook at Birdland
O Sister! Stompin’ Down the Boswells Path
The Nat Cole Trio’s Last European Stand
Ulf and Erik Wakenius Create Guitar Magic
“Bird in Time” a Great Time Capsule
Neeme Järvi’s Busoni Set Reissued
Exploring Tansman’s Folk-Influenced Piano Music
Steprans’ Hip Little Quintet Cooks
Rozhdestvensky’s Marvelous Enescu Recordings Reissued
Hausegger’s Amazing Orchestral Works Exhumed
Muczynski’s Chamber Music Brilliantly Played on Brilliant Classics
Laks’ Startling Chamber Works Revived
Aruán Ortiz’ “Cub(an)ism” a Wonderfully Strange Disc
The Lutosławski Quartet’s Strange New Music
Szymanowski’s Piano Music Beautifully Played by Roscoe
Hyeseon Hong’s “Ee-Ya-Gi” a Strange But Fascinating CD
Petr Fiala’s Splendid New Dvořák “Requiem”
Alice Coote Fabulous in Mahler Song Cycles
John Pickard’s Unusual, Intense Music
Kegel’s Great “Carl Orff Edition” Reissued
Rodziński Conducts 20th Century Music
Segerstam Contrasts His Work With Brahms
Maureen Batt’s Walter Scott Adventure
Eric Ineke Plays With the Tenor Giants
Sarah Maria Sun Dazzles in Modern Recital
Harberg & Wolpert’s Viola Concertos
Arnold Rosner’s Chamber Music Revived
Rodziński’s Stupendous “Khovanshchina” Reissued
Albert Mangelsdorff Invites Some Friends
Mátyás Seiber’s Jazz-Infused Fun Pieces
Landrus’ Debut Disc Inconsistent But Interesting
Tortelier’s Dutilleux Cycle Reissued
Deller’s Final Recital Among his Best
Neunecker’s Strauss Will Blow You Away
Forgotten Jazz Orchestras: Sam Donahue’s Navy Band
Gerald Cannon Really Hops!
Feltsman’s Bipolar Schubert Sonatas
Lerdahl’s Music a World of Its Own
Paul Chihara’s Whimsical Music
New John Carollo CD Has Fine Music
For links to older blog posts (beginning March 2016) click HERE
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at artmusiclady @outlook .com
Other sites of wonder to discover:
Emily’s Music Dump
Jack Reilly Jazz
Jazz Lives
Composer Charles Ruggiero
Jazz Radio Network
WWFM Classical Streaming
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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