The Whole Music Experience

Kristy My Romance Alma Records Canadian jazz vocalist Kristy Cardinali tackles those old jazz standards on her debut recording My Romance . Jazz standards only sound simple on the surface. The torch songs require a palette of emotions, and the voice must sing well-modulated phrasings, which is daunting even to veteran jazz vocalists. Kristy (she uses the singular name as her moniker), nails the faster numbers such as Just One of Those Things and Bye Bye Blackbird (which she delivers a breathtaking rendition), and now that I have downloaded an upgrade for Media Player, I can hear lovely nuances in her vocals.  Though I still think I've heard better interpretations of You Don't Know Me . In fact, the best version ever I have heard of You Don’t Know Me was recorded by a jazz chanteuse from my neck-of-the-woods, Trish Hatley, granted, a vocalist that is easily twice Kristy’s age. Hatley is among my favorite singers of jazz standards along with Greta Matassa (Seattle...

Pablo Casals (1876-1973) J.S. Bach Suites for Cello Volume 1 Great Recordings of the Century EMI I first heard about the Catalan cellist Pablo Casals in the Canadian film, 32 Short Films about Glenn Gould . The Glenn Gould character produced a radio documentary where he interviewed the great cellist. Glenn Gould did for J. S. Bach’s keyboard pieces what Pablo Casals had done for Bach’s Cello Suites and that was to remove the stigma of overly academic from Bach’s masterpieces. And in the hands of virtuoso interpreters such as Gould and Casals, the piano sonatas, and Cello Suites took on a new vivacious life. Bach’s music had been reconsidered and accepted by a broader public. Pablo Casals was born in the Catalan region of Spain (also home of the early music interpreter/performer Jordi Savall and his family), in 1876 and by the age of 5, he showed an aptitude for music. His musical training began with keyboards, but he would later fall in love with the cello. He was perfo...

Maurice Steger Giuseppe Sammartini Sonate (for flute and bass continuo) Harmonia Mundi (2007) I found flautist Maurice Steger’s baroque recording Sonate (for flute and bass continuo) at the library and I’ve been listening to it often during the past 2 days. I also saw Italian baroque composer Giuseppe Sammartini listed on another CD I listened to recently so I wanted to explore his music further. His work is completely new to my ears but I love the composer’s clean, yet complex arrangements. I find Steger’s flute pierces through any chaos in my life and flute/recorder finds a home among the bassoon, harpsichord, organ, lutes, violincello, and harp that takes turns playing the bass continuo. Steger, an accomplished flautist from Switzerland performs diverse music ranging from the baroque period to contemporary times. He performs on traverse flute and various baroque recorders, while leaving a favorable impression for the recorder. I realize that the recorder ...

Mad About Beethoven  We all feel angry or frustrated at times.  I don't believe in suppressing anger/frustration and speaking through a tight fake smile.  I also don't feel that it is appropriate to vent anger, to rant, and to take out anger on other humans and creatures. When we feel angry we can listen to music that matches our frustration level to help us release it safely and sanely.  We could use movement with the music, have a good cry, scream into a pillow (though some psychotherapist and metaphysicians frown on this practice), or just sit and listen to the music, allowing it to move you through your feelings. Don't focus on what sparked your anger/frustration since that's like adding oil to a fire.  Focus on the emotions you feel and don't judge them.  Go as deep as you can within yourself and see where those emotions take you.  While I'm sure you know of plenty of music that can go to that angry place with you, how about mus...

Even if you don't know your personal dosha, we are now moving into the summer Pitta Dosha season.  And every change of season also has a strong Vata element.  So here are some musical tips to help you balance the Pitta and Vata doshas. For Vata, remember that slow, low, repetative and warming music balances the dosha.  So here are a list of recordings that can help you in balancing this dosha. Marjorie de Muynck, In the Key of Earth , Sounds True Lisa Spector and Joshua Leeds , Through a Dog's Ear Volumes 1 and 2 , (works for humans too), Sounds True and BARD Dr. Andrew Weil and Joshua Leeds, Relax and De-Stress/Deep Calm , Sounds True The Miracles (and wine series) on Kirkelig Kulturverksted (Norway, kkv.no) This series includes Spain, France, Italy and the New World (cello and piano anchor the music) Also try the Alap section of Indian ragas and you can try relaxation CDs that feature nature sounds. Vata tends over intellectualizes, gets caught up i...