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