Happy New Year!

 Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

My family and I would like to wish you a happy and healthy 2021, the year of Ox 🐂

My sister Chieko and I recorded a Japanese song, counting down the days until the New Year:

Share with your little ones 😃

Here's hoping that 2021 will bring us more opportunities to share wonderful music with you all!

Best and warmest wishes,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendations: Christmas Music

 Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

I truly miss accompanying the Chattanooga Ballet for their annual Nutcracker performances this season. I hope soon we will go back to presenting live performances and wonderful collaborations to our community.

I would like to share some music to comfort, lift up your spirit, and make you smile this Holiday season.

This is my friend Ola Gjeilo's Away in a Manger, performance by CORO Vocal Artist. The harmonies and progressions are just gorgeous, and it's performed so beautifully:

Dana Graybeal, a conductor/educator friend from Phoenix, wrote this fabulous arrangement of Deck the Halls, performed by some of my friends from the Phoenix Symphony. It takes a surprising modal turn in the middle section, and it's absolutely delightful!

The next video is Time for Three and Natasha Bedingfield's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

The last video is .. well, please go ahead and watch, and you'll thank me later:

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Best,

Kayoko

Children's Book Recommendation: Shy Fellow

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.

Today, I'd like to recommend you a children's book called I know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello by Barbara S. Garriel and illustrated by John O'Brien.

In this book, a fellow swallows a cello and all kinds of other instruments to jam together. Illustrations are fun(ny) and mesmerizing, and the rhymes are extremely catchy. My son thinks this fellow is funny and giggles along as I read.

If you have a small child in your life, this may be a good gift for the Holidays!

Here is a link to this book on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :

Shy Fellow Cello

Also, I found a music teacher's blog that has recommended activities to go with the book:

http://beccasmusicroom.com/shy-fellow-swallowed-cello/


I hope you, your kids/grandkids enjoy this as much as we do!

Stay healthy.

Best,

Kayoko

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Dear Friends,

I hope you and yours are having a safe and happy Thanksgiving week.

I wanted to say my personal "thanks" to all of you for your continued support of the CSO. I would also like to thank 

1. my staff for their tireless effort and their flexibility for this unusual season. 

2. the Board of Directors for believing in the importance of live performance in our community,

3. the musicians for their contributions and their artistry,

4. the donors for helping us share our music to the community,

5. our patrons for joining us this season, and

6. wonderful venues for hosting us this season. 

Please take care of yourself, and I hope to see you all in December!

Best,

Kayoko

p.s. here is a little greeting from my dog Tomo

Book Recommendation: The Piano Shop on the Left Bank

A few weeks ago, Don McDowell, the chair of CSO's Board of Directors, urged me to read Thad Carhart's The Piano Shop on the Left Bank. I was surprised that I had never heard of this book, then I realized I was too busy being a student when it was published in 2000.

In this memoir, Carhart recounts how his love for piano reignited due to an encounter at a piano shop in his neighborhood in Paris. It is as though we are getting an exclusive and private tour of Paris, where most tourists will never get to experience. 

This book had a few effects on me:

1. It motivated me to pull out my copy of Hanon and a few of my childhood piano books of sonatinas and sonatas. I have actually been practicing my electric (I know, yuck) piano consistently for the last few weeks. Much to the dismay of my son and our sweet dog Tomo, I hope this habit sticks!

2. It reminded me how important early exposure to music is to children.

3. I REALLY want to go back to Paris! When this pandemic is over, I would really like to take a trip to Paris and roam around small neighborhoods.

I hope you enjoy this book as much I did.

Happy Reading!

Kayoko

Musical Conversation: Composer David Sartor

Dear Friends,

On November 14th and 15th, we are performing two works for harp and string orchestra, Debussy's Danses sacree et danse profane and Mahler's Adagietto from Symphony No. 5, featuring CSO's Principal Harpist Caroline Hudson. Additionally, we are performing David Sartor's Black Ball Counts Double, which was written as an homage to composer's grandmother and her bagatelle game. We are also continuing Beethoven's 250th celebration with his Sextet for 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, and 2 horns.

The other day, I had an opportunity to chat with the composer David Sartor about his work. Take a look:

For more information on David and his works, visit his site www.davidsartor.com/index.html

For more information on our upcoming concerts, visit our site at www.chattanoogasymphony.org

Hope to see you then!

Best,

Kayoko

Musical Conversation: Composer Kenyon Wilson

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well.

On Veteran's Day, CSO Brass Ensemble will perform patriotic works under the direction of CSO Assistant Conductor Ismael Sandoval. One of the works is my personal favorite: Five by Kenyon Wilson. This work was written in response to 2015 terrorist attack in Chattanooga. CSO has performed this powerful work a number of times, both in full orchestra and brass ensemble versions.

Here is the conversation I had with Kenyon about this work:

To find out more about Kenyon's works, please visit his website: http://www.kenyonwilson.com/index.php

For information on the concert, visit CSO's website at chattanoogasymphony.org

Hope to see you then!

Best,

Kayoko

BOO! Kayoko's Favorite Spooky Music

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I always LOVE conducting a Halloween concert, because we get to dress up and perform FUN music.

Here are some of my favorite spooky/Halloween-y music from youtube.

Saint-Saens Danse Macabre with Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra and Jean-Francois Zygel: 

Finale from Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique with National Orchestra of France and Leonard Bernstein:

Dukas Sorcerer's Apprentice with Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra with Lionel Bringuier:

Schubert/Listz Erlkonig Yuja Wang, piano:

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Kayoko

Introduction: CSO Assistant Conductor Ismael Sandoval

 Dear Friends,

Today I would like to introduce to you CSO's newest artistic staff member, Ismael Sandoval, who started his tenure as the Conductor of the CSO Youth Orchestra Symphony and CSO's Assistant Conductor this Fall. 

He has been busy working with the YO students for the last few months, and he will make his CSO debut on November 11th at the Veteran's Day Concert. 

Take a look my conversation with Ismael:

To read Ismael's bio, visit CSOYO website: https://csoyo.chattanoogasymphony.org/staff/symphony-conductor

and additional information on the concert will be available at www.chattanoogasymphony.org closer to the event date.

We look forward to sharing some patriotic brass music with you on November 11th!

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Alda If I Understood You...

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.
Today I would like to introduce a book that is not necessary related to music, but it has helped me understand how to communicate musical subject with audience members.

It is called If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda.

I must admit, I got this book only because I'm a huge fan of the TV show MASH and Alan Alda.

This book explores how scientists and medical professionals can become an empathetic communicator.

Since I often speak at the concerts to offer my perspective about the music we are about to perform. My intension is to enhance your experience as an audience member. My intension is not to lecture, but to give a concept you can relate to promote active listening.

As a conductor, I also need to be an efficient communicator on the podium while rehearsing with the musicians. We have limited amount of time in rehearsals, and the time is better spent making music rather than listening to me talk. Therefore it is very important that I say what I need to say as efficiently and effectively as possible, while making sure that what I say is helpful.

This book helped me get a perspective on how to communicate to the musicians and the audience members.

Happy Reading!

Kayoko

Musical Conversation: Composer Tim Hinck

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well-

Composer Tim Hinck was one of the first composers I met in Chattanooga. He invited me to a performance at Easy Lemon, and I was immediately inspired by his creativity and eagerness to connect with people through his art in a very personal way. It has been a pleasure to work with him on numerous occasions, notably, commissioning of Fanfare for Rosa two seasons ago by the CSO. I am excited to present to you a social-distance-friendly work by Tim called Stumpjumper.  Here is our conversation about this work: 

Visit Tim's website for more information about him and his works:

https://timhinck.com/

The concerts are October 17th and 18th at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For more information, please visit: Chattanooga Symphony

See you soon!

Kayoko

Children's Book Recommendation: Farkle

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well-

Today, I would like to introduce you a children's book titled The Remarkable Farkle McBride written by one and only John Lithgow. 
This book is about a bratty child named Farkle McBride who tries out various instruments to find the right "fit." I won't spoil the ending, but I do agree with his choice in the end. 😉

I also love the illustrations. The instruments are drawn with meticulous details, and Farkle's facial expressions are priceless. 

Here is a link to this book on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :

Farkle McBride

****and for the record, I do not approve of Farkle's treatment of the instruments he didn't like.

Happy Reading!

Best,

Kayoko

Musical Conversation: Composer Douglas Hedwig

 Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well-

I met composer Douglas Hedwig when he moved to Chattanooga from New York, where he was a trumpet at the Metropolitan Opera and a professor at Brooklyn College. Needless to say, he has GREAT stories. He also has wonderful musical ideas, and now he shares those ideas through composition. CSO has commissioned a number of works from Doug, and I have enjoyed collaborating with him over the years. 

Next week, CSO Brass Quintet is performing a piece by Doug, called Onyx. Doug and I spoke on Zoom about this piece, and I hope you find the conversation interesting:

Visit Doug's website for more information about him and his works:

https://www.douglashedwig.com

The concerts are September 25 and 26th at Collegedale Commons. For more information, please visit:

Chattanooga Symphony

See you soon!

Kayoko

Musical Craft: Homemade Drums

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and healthy.

As you may know, I am a novice crafter and a mom of a 4 year old boy. I've made many homemade toys to keep myself and my son entertained.

In my past life, I taught at Thomas J. Pappas Elementary School in Tempe, AZ, school for homeless children. I led a weekly music class, and my budget for the entire semester was $40.
Originally, I was awarded this opportunity to teach children how to play recorder, but I decided to change the curriculum entirely. We made several homemade instrument with household items, played, danced, and composed music together.

Today, I'd like to show you how to make a homemade drum.

Materials:
Fruit cup, Balloon, and Scissors

1. Inflate the balloon

2. Deflate the balloon and cut where the balloon narrows

3. Stretch the balloon over the cup

4. Hit with whatever you can find (I used my son's wooden spoon). Also, experiment with hitting different parts of the drum. 
You can also experiment with different sized containers and materials for the "head" (where you hit) of the drum.

Aluminum Foil (You will need a rubber band to keep the tension)

Construction Paper (You will need a rubber band to keep the tension)

Mandarin orange cup and yogurt tub

I made a youtube video demonstrating the sound of each combination of materials.

Sound demo for homemade drums

I hope you and the kids in your life enjoy making the drums, playing, and dancing with the music.
If you have very small children, please supervise them with the scissors, and sometimes, the balloon snaps off the drum.

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Kleon- Steal Like an Artist

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.
Today, I'd like to talk about a book that was recommended to me by a conductor colleague of mine, Craig Davis (former Director of Bands at UTC).
It's called Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon.
Kleon is an artist from Austin (surprise!), and in this book, he gives advice on how to be creative.

This book is helpful, because it affirms us that nothing is original. 

Every artist steals. 

Good artist makes what they steal better.

I believe many artists struggle to be original, to find their "voice." Kleon points out that everything is a variation of ideas that are already presented. We just need to know what is worth stealing and how to make it "yours."

I hope this book also helps you feel at ease about being creative and allows you to create more freely!

Stay well!

Happy Reading-

Best,

Kayoko

Children's Book Recommendation: Composer is Dead

                                             

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well-

Today, I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite books AND music (!), Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead. If you have read any of Lemony Snicket's books, you know you're in for a treat. His books are clever, cheeky, and definitely entertaining.

CSO has performed The Composer is Dead a few times at Young People's Concerts and Family Concerts. The story is hilarious with lots of "inside jokes" for orchestral musicians, and the music composed by Nathaniel Stookey is absolutely marvelous.

Here is a link to this book (with CD) on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :

Composer is Dead

Here is also a link to a youtube vide of this work:

youtube Composer is Dead

I hope you can join the Inspector in search for who killed the composer.

Happy reading/listening!

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Bel Canto

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and healthy.

My dog Tomo and I would like to introduce you to a book that was recommended to me by Don McDowell, the chair of CSO's Board of Directors.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

This book is a fiction based on an amateur terrorist group taking a few dozen hostages, somewhere in South America. One of the hostages is a celebrated soprano, Roxanne Coss. The story unfolds brilliantly, and it's definitely a page turner. Patchett's style is luxuriously descriptive, and I could almost hear Roxanne's angelic voice while reading.

If you're looking for a beautiful fiction to read this summer, I highly recommend it.

I also recommend "youtube-ing" the arias mentioned in the book to get a full sensory experience.

Happy Reading!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: The Great Gate of Kiev (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.

We finally arrived at the final movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition, The Great Gate of Kiev.
The energy and the artistry culminate in this grand movement, providing the most satisfying ending to this magnificent work.

This movement was inspired by Hartmann's sketch for a city gate for Kiev, which he won a national competition for the design but was never built.

As mentioned in previous post, Baba Yaga movement goes directly into The Great Gate of Kiev. Take a listen (recording begins with Baba Yaga, and The Great Gate starts around 3:20)

Great Gate

This stately main theme is interrupted by different sections. For example, a more somber hymn theme interrupts twice (4:20 and 5:30). The Promenade theme returns in this movement (6:35), allowing this movement to "wrap up" the entire work.

Also, listen to the bells around 8:10 and look back at Harmann's sketch. Ravel didn't forget to represent the bells from the sketch in his orchestration 🔔

Thank you for taking the musical journey with me through Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. I hope we get to perform this work for you in the near future.

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Baba Yaga (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

Buckle up! We have now arrived at the ninth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Baba Yaga. This movement is the most terrifying movement due to its subject matter and the music that depicts it.

In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a witch with a deformed figure, and the story has many variations as many folklores do. You can read more about it here:

Baba Yaga Folklore

Baba Yaga lives in a hut that rests on skinny chicken legs. Here is Hartmann's sketch:

This sketch is rather beautiful, but the music that Mussorgsky composed is violent and terrifying. 

Baba Yaga

This movement is divided into 3 sections. Two outer sections are fast paced and aggressive, while the second section, starting around 1:05 is mysterious and sneaky. This section is terrifying as well, because it sounds like the witch is lurking around waiting to strike. 

At the end of the movement, it directly leads into the finale of this work, The Great Gate of Kiev. I look forward to chatting about that final movement in my next post.

Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Catacombs with the Dead in a Dead Language (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

Today, let's talk about the eighth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Catacombs with the Dead in a Dead Language. 

Although the previous movement (Limoges) went directly into this movement, these two movements can't be any more contrasting. Catacomb is much heavier, slower, and darker. Luckily, Harmann's artwork has survived (above^). It depicts himself and a friend being guided through a catacomb in a French cathedral.  

The only catacomb I have visited is in St. Florian, just outside of Linz, Austria, where Anton Bruckner lays to rest. My dear friend David Rahbee (who guest conducted CSO last season for All-Haydn Program) enthusiastically guided me to this site, as he is an admirer of Bruckner's works. 

Visit this site to see Bruckner's grave:

Bruckner Grave

and yes, he is surrounded by a wall of human skulls. 

I remember the air was damp and cool. As we walked quietly, the guide's voice and our footsteps echoed as we walked around. 

To me, this movement replicates these sensations. 

This movement is divided into two sections: Catacomb and "With the Dead in a Dead Language"

The first section consists of block chords with echo effects. Ravel's orchestration provides us this effect by only using brass, percussion, and darker timbered woodwinds (clarinets and bassoons), and string bass. Take a listen.

Catacomb

Then around 2:00, the second section (With the Dead in a Dead Language) of this movement begins. This section uses the melody from the Promenade, but it is accompanied by string tremolo effect (fast moving bow) which gives a chilling effect. In Ravel's orchestration, the rest of the orchestra joins in this part of the movement.

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Limoges (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and healthy.
Today, let's talk about the seventh movement of Pictures at an Exhibition: Limoges. The Market- The Great News.

Ligomes is a city in south-central France, about 200 miles south of Paris. I have never been to Limoges, France before, but it looks like a beautiful thriving city. When this pandemic is over, I am looking forward to traveling to various countries, and perhaps I'll add this city to my bucket list.

Limoges Trip Advisor


Ok, back to Pictures: Hartmann's artwork for this movement is lost, and it is beyond my ability to draw, so you will have to use your imagination. Mussorgsky's friend Stasov described it as "French women quarreling violently in the market." I imagine a busy market on a sunny afternoon with full of people and activities as two women argue over a seemingly insignificant matter.

The music is fast paced and busy, and the instrumentation used by Ravel is similar to other lighter movements, such as Tuileries and Unhatched Chicks. This movement ends abruptly, leading directly into the following movement, Catacombs, without a break.

Limoges

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and healthy.
Today, let's talk about the sixth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle.

   

This movement represents the contrast between two Polish Jews, Goldberg (rich- left picture) and Schmuyle (poor- right picture).

The movement opens with Goldberg theme, which is stately and distinguished.

Goldberg and Schmuyle

at 0:38, Schmuyle's theme enters. In Ravel's orchestration, it is represented by muted trumpet, adding curious color to the movement.

at 1:10, Schmuyle's theme is joined by Goldberg's theme which creates an interesting and more complex texture.

If you'd like to know about the trumpet excerpt from this movement, check out former NY Philharmonic Principal Trumpet, Philip Smith's video, starting around 2:05
Philip Smith Pictures

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well. There are so much sadness, anger, frustrations, and uncertainties surrounding us, and I hope music can bring some comfort in your lives.

Today, let's talk about the fifth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks. This is one of my favorite movements, as it always brings a smile to my face when I hear it.
Luckily, Hartmann's artwork for this movement has survived, so you don't have to endure my rendition.

This movement is fast-paced and ornamented with quick grace notes and trills, and it vividly describes a bunch of half-hatched chicks running around frantically.
As heard in Tuileries, Ravel only uses the woodwinds, horns handful of percussion instruments, celeste, harp, and strings without bass to provide lighter texture to this movement.

Let's take a listen:
Unhatched Chicks

I hope this movement has brought a smile to your face as well.
Stay healthy. Stay safe. I'll check in with you in a few days.

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Bydlo (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.

Today, let's talk about the fourth movement of the Pictures at an Exhibition: Bydlo. Bydlo is a Polish word for cattle, and this movement has a complete opposite mood and texture from the previous movement, Tuileries.

Hartmann's work is lost, so I made my own rendition of Bydlo:

*Disclaimer: Please excuse my drawing. I got a B in art class in middle school. As I was working on this, my son asked if I was drawing an elephant. 😭

In this movement, Ravel uses low strings, bassoons, and contrabassoon for an accompaniment:

Let's take a look at the score.

1. con sord.= con sordino (with mute)- This creates a muddy sound in the violoncello (cello) and contrabass (bass). 

2. tenuto= the line under each note indicates these notes to be connected. 

3. It's not showing in this image, but the tempo/style indication (by Mussorgsky) is "Sempre moderato, pesante", which roughly means "maintain moderate tempo (not too fast, not too slow), and heavy/weighed"

Then a tuba enters with a beautiful yet labored solo. Let's take a listen:

Bydlo

This music and the orchestration certainly do provide an imagery of a cattle steadily pulling a heavy cart.

Ok. let's take a moment to talk about the tuba. Ravel personally brought over a "French tuba" for the premiere. Here is a video of musicians of the Utah Symphony speaking about the French tuba.

Utah Symphony French tuba

In some US orchestras, euphonium is used instead of French tuba, and it is either played by a trombone or a tuba player. At CSO, our Principal Tuba Neil Konouchi was planning to use his F-Tuba (smaller than his regular tuba) to play this solo. 

Enjoy!

Stay well, and I'll check in with you in a few days.

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Tuileries (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

Today, let's talk about the second movement of Pictures at an Exhibition: Tuileries (Children Quarreling After Play). Unfortunately Hartmann's artwork that inspired this movement has been lost,  and I'll spare you my own rendition. Instead, you can take a look at pictures of the Tuileries Garden at Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau site: 

Tuilerie's Garden

The music is cheeky, fast paced, and repetitive. Repetitive in a sense that Mussorgsky uses simple motives (for example, notice the first 2 notes) and mockingly uses them throughout the movement. If you ever watch children play, you know they love repeating a funny phrase or word over and over and over again. (<= yes, this observation comes from myself homeschooling my child the past 2+ months.)

In terms of orchestration, Ravel uses woodwinds, 2 horns, harp, triangle, and strings without bass. This instrumentation keeps the texture light and nimble.

Take a listen:
Tuileries

Enjoy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: The Old Castle (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

Today, let's talk about the second movement of Pictures at an Exhibition: The Old Castle. Hartmann's artwork that inspired this movement did not survive. It is thought to be a watercolor of an Italian medieval castle with a "troubadour singing a song." I will spare you my own rendition of this artwork. (You're welcome)

Ok, let's get back to Ravel's orchestration to The Old Castle.
The bassoon at the beginning of this movement sets the tone: lonely and melancholy. The alto saxophone joins in with a beautiful and sorrowful melody, representing a troubadour singing a song.

The Old Castle

Let's take a moment to talk about saxophones. Besides Pops/Jazz concerts, you rarely see them in orchestral works. There are only a handful of symphonic works that have saxophones. Most notable works besides this piece include Ravel Bolero, Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Prokofiev Lt. Kije Suite, and Gershwin American in Paris. It's always a delight to have a saxophone in an orchestra, because it adds an instantly unique timbre to the traditional instrumentation.

Next post, we will talk about the third movement, Tuileries.

Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: The Gnome (Pictures)

Dear Friends,
Today, let's talk about the first movement of Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, The Gnome.

Hartmann's artwork that inspired Mussorgsky to write this movement is now lost, but Vladimir Stasov (a critic and a champion of Russian music and Mussorgsky's friend) recalls that it was a wooden nutcracker in a form of a gnome with large teeth and crooked legs.

I image it looked like this:

*Please excuse my drawing. I got a B in art class in middle school

In any case, the music reflects erratic behavior of a gnome: rapidly changing tempos, abrupt interjections of forzandi, frequent start and stop depicting erratic movement, dark lurking orchestration by Ravel (prominent use of low strings and woodwinds), and jagged intervals. 

Take a listen:

Gnome

I hope you enjoy this movement. Next time, we'll chat about The Old Castle. Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Promenades (Pictures)

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I will introduce each movement of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated by Ravel.

Here is the list of the movements:
Promenade
1. The Gnome
Promenade
2. The Old Castle
Promenade
3. Tuileries
4. Cattle
Promenade
5. Ballet of Unhatched Chicks
6. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle
7. Limoges
8. Catacombs
9. Baba Yaga
10. The Great Gate of Kiev

As you can see, Promenade appears 4 times in this work. So today, let's explore these Promenades.

The first Promenade opens with a solo trumpet joined by the rest of the brass, followed by the entire orchestra:

Promenade 1

How did this make you feel? I always imagine myself having a nice slow stroll through a magnificent and historic museum on a sunny afternoon, with nothing else to do but to enjoy the marvelous art works.

Now let's explore the rest of the Promenades.
The melody is the same, but the orchestration is very different. Ravel changes the combination of instrument, dynamic, and articulations. These changes provide different "feel" to the same melody.

I would like you to listen to the following Promenades and imagine what you will "see" next if you were to walk down the hallway listening to these Promenades.

Promenade 2

Promenade 3

Promenade 4

Fun fact: There is another Promenade, after Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle, in Mussorgsky's original composition, but many orchestrations (including Ravel's) omit it.

Happy Listening!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Orchestration Mussorgsky/Ravel/Rimsky-Korsakov/bonus: Cailliet

Dear Friends,
I know we are all disappointed about the cancellation of CSO's final concert featuring Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. This work has a special place in my heart. If you recall my audition back in 2011, this was one of the pieces I conducted. Needless to say, I was offered the position to serve as your Music Director.

Over the next few posts, I would like to introduce each movement of this magnificent and colorful masterpiece. Before we dive into each movement, I want to discuss the orchestration of this work.

In 1874, Mussorgsky wrote Pictures at an Exhibition for piano. In the last 100 years, a few dozen composers orchestrated this work for various sized orchestras. 

So, what does "orchestration" mean, anyway? At a Young People's Concert, Leonard Bernstein defined orchestration as  " how a composer goes about arranging his music for an orchestra to play; whether the orchestra has 7 men in it or 17 or 70 or 107, which is what we have here on this stage."  

19th century Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov was perhaps the most influential master of orchestration. Take a listen to Scheherazade, which is a wonderful demonstration of his skillful orchestration. 

French composer Maurice Ravel was also a magnificent orchestrator. Take a listen to Bolero. This work is based on one simple melody, and Ravel demonstrates different timbre of an orchestra by changing the instruments or combinations of instruments. By changing the orchestration of this simple melody, Ravel succeeds in building intensity and excitement.

Now, let's go back to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. 

First I'd like you to listen to the original piano version of this work.
Pictures piano

Now let's take a listen to the most popular orchestration by Ravel, which was commissioned by Koussevitzky in 1922. Let's take a listen:

Pictures BSO/Koussevitzky

How do these make you feel? Since my first exposure to this work was Ravel's orchestration, I find his orchestration more fulfilling. Of course, having a large orchestra as oppose to a single piano, has its advantages.

For fun, here is another version to compare: Lucien Cailliet's orchestration with Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Pictures Philly/Ormandy

I hope these listening recommendations keep you busy and engaged.

Until next time, be well!

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Wigglesworth

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well.

Today, I would like to recommend a book written by a renowned English conductor Mark Wigglesworth titled The Silent Musician: Why Conducting Matters.

My friend Michael McCallie (GuitarChattanooga) gifted me this book a few weeks ago, and I finally had time to read it. While I am aware this book was only written in the last few years, I wish I had encountered it a decade or two ago when I was just starting out. Maestro Wigglesworth eloquently explains what conductors do in relations to composers and their works, how conductors communicate with the musicians, and what conductors actually do besides wave our batons while music flows out magically!

My dear teacher Timothy Russell always reminded me that "conductors are the only person who is not making any sound on stage." Yet, the conductor gets the most attention on stage. Why is this? I think this book will help you uncover some of the mysteries of the profession.

Here is a link to this book on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :

Wilgglesworth The Silent Musician

Happy Reading! I'll check back with you in a few days. Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko

Yoga for Musicians

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.

Some of you may know that I am a yogi and a certified yoga instructor.
I was introduced to yoga during my graduate studies at Arizona State University, and I practiced on and off for almost (gasp!) 20 years. Along the way, I witnessed many of my colleagues suffer from performance injuries. In 2012, I finally decided to get certified to teach yoga to gain more understanding of yoga practice to help my fellow musicians suffering from unique physical challenges.

I lead "Yoga for Musicians" classes every so often, and I enjoy sharing the practice with musicians and offer tools for self-awareness of the mind and body connection.

One of my favorite yoga teacher on YouTube is Adriene Mishler.  Watching her video feels like drinking an ice-cold orange juice on a hot summer day! I was so happy when I found that she has a video specifically for musicians!

Adriene- Yoga for Musicians

Even if you're not a musician, this is a wonderful practice. I hope you can (virtually) join me! Remember, always "listen" to your body during a practice and do not engage in a pose if it causes you pain beyond your muscle working hard.

Namaste,

Kayoko

Children's Book Recommendation: Zin! Zin! Zin!

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and safe. I am grateful for EPB team members, City workers, and other contractors who are working tirelessly to restore our beautiful city. We lost power for a few days, but my little family is safe, and our house is in one piece.

As you may know, I am a mom to a very sweet 4 year old boy. I have been reading more books with him since the daycare closed, and I thought I'd share some of our favorite books with you. Perhaps you could share these with your children/grandchildren!

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss is one of the first books I recommend to children. This book introduces instruments of an orchestra one by one with mesmerizing verses and captivating illustrations. We even play "I spy" with the cats and dogs in this book (not intended, I'm sure).


Here is a link to this book on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :


Zin! Zin! Zin!



Best,

Kayoko

Study: Brain waves of musicians and their audience members

Dear Friends,

A friend of mine sent me an article from the British Psychological Society the other day, so I thought I'd pass it along.

Brain waves of musicians and their audience

This is a neat (yet limited) study on comparing brain waves of a musician and his audience. Perhaps this explains why it's so much more rewarding to experience music while seeing the performer rather than just listening to a recording.

In any case, if you couldn't tell, I miss seeing you all at concerts!

Stay healthy, friends. I look forward to sharing music with you in person very soon.

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Survival of the Flutist

Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well-

About a year ago, I had a pleasure of meeting flutist Marianne Gedigian, Professor of Flute at The University of Texas at Austin. She kindly gifted me a book she wrote called Survival of the Flutist: an inspiring journey of a flutist with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations by another accomplished flutist/piccoloist, Patti Adams.

I was originally told that it is a children's book, but I recommend all adult musicians/artists read this book. It reminded me of why I chose music as a profession: not for fame and glory, but to share my love for music. 

Survival of the Flutist

I hope this journey touches your heart as much it did mine.

Happy reading!

Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Vaughan Williams

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy.
I was also looking forward to this week's performance, sharing the stage with our chorus (CSO Chorus led by their fearless leader Darrin Hassevoort), and choruses from Lee University and UTC. They bring so much energy and genuine love for singing, which are infectious and inspiring. This week, we were programmed to perform Ralph Vaughan William's choral work, Dona Nobis Pacem. Written after the First World War, this monumental work's primary purpose is to call for peace.

This work would've been a perfect music to experience together at a time like this, but a recording will have to fill the void for now.

Here is a recording of Dona Nobis Pacem I found on youtube that follows along a score.

Dona Nobis Pacem with score

Perhaps you can follow the score and witness Vaughan William's word paintings. Luckily, the text is in English! The most obvious example of word painting is at the beginning of the second movement (4:03), you will hear the drums followed by the trumpets, then the text choir enters: "Beat Beat Drums! Blow Bugles Blow!"

It is also important to notice the "mood" of the music compared to the text. For example, listen to how the composer orchestrates when the text "dona nobis pacem" ("grant us peace") appears throughout the work. Depending on how it is orchestrated, these 3 simple words can sound: hopeful, hopeless, desperate, angry,  anxious.

For further exploration, here are some videos of Dona Nobis Pacem by other composers.

Mozart Dona Nobis Pacem (music starts at 0:57)

Beethoven Dona Nobis Pacem from Missa Solemnis

Daniel Elder Dona Nobis Pacem


Happy listening and stay well!


Best,

Kayoko

Listening Recommendation: Walker

Dear Friends,
I hope this post finds you well.
This week, we were planning to present a beautiful and important work by an American composer George Walker (1922-2018). Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra was written in 1996, and Walker became the first African American composer to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Music. This work is based on Walt Whitman's (1819-1892) Poem "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", an elegy written in response to President Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865.

I was very much looking forward to introducing soprano Susannah Biller to our audience with this work as well. Don't worry, I am planning to reprogram this work in the near future! You will also get to see and hear her on Tivoli Stage during next season's La Traviata as well.

Meanwhile, here is a recording of George Walker's Lilacs conducted by my teacher and mentor Timothy Russell.

Enjoy!
I'll check in with you again in a few days. Until then, stay healthy!

Best,
Kayoko

Disney in Concert

Dear Friends,
I hope you are healthy and enjoying your time with your loved ones.

This weekend, we were scheduled to present the Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time.

In early February, I received the scores and study videos, and I have been exploring the magic of Disney music. I have been looking forward to sharing this production with you and your family. While some of the music/movie (Lion King, The Little Mermaid, etc) were familiar to me, it was delightful to discover some wonderful scores that were new to me (Tangled, The Princess and the Frog, and Hercules). I am always amazed with the music's ability to enhance the drama and bring out the emotions of what is presented on the screen.  These wonderful and captivating musical scores do make the movies come alive by helping the audience feel what the characters are experiencing. We hope to present this magical production to you at a later date.

While I can't share the study videos with you, I thought I'd share two videos I found on YouTube. The first one is my son's favorite song from Frozen. (Don't worry, it's not Let it Go 😅) As I type this entry, it is raining outside with a forecast of thunderstorm all day. I share this song in hopes that the rain stops soon, and we get to enjoy some sunshine!

Frozen- In Summer

The next one was a "new-to-me" song from Tangled. I think it's rather fitting at the moment!

Tangled


Stay well, friends-

Best,

Kayoko

Book Recommendation: Copland

 

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and healthy. I miss seeing you all at the concerts and sharing wonderful music with you.

I have been thinking of a way to keep connected with you during this unsettling times. I'll upload a post every few days to keep you engaged in music one way or the other. I hope to share some inspiring books, youtube links, and some of my own thoughts regarding music in the coming days and weeks.

---------

Since the mandate of social distancing began, I have been reading a lot of books. I revisited Aaron Copland's What to Listen for in Music, which I first read over 20 years ago during college. 

I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it. Aaron Copland, one of the most prominent American composers of the 20th century, explains various elements of music: rhythm, harmony, melody, forms, etc. Also at the end of every chapter, he provides us with sample music for us to listen to. 

Here is a link to this book on amazon (please make sure you're using the "smile.amazon.com" to support your favorite organization- CSO!) :

Copland What to Listen for in Music

I hope this book inspires you to be an active listener at the next CSO concert you attend.

I will check in with you again in a few days. Until then, stay healthy!

Best,

Kayoko