The Whole Music Experience

Bezuidenhout (piano), Von der Goltz (violin) Freiburger Barockorchester Mendelssohn Double Concerto for Piano and Violin And Piano Concerto in A minor Harmonia Mundi Dubbed the Mozart of the 19 th century by Robert Schumann, imagine that Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) composed his Concerto for Piano and Strings in A minor when he was 13 and his Double Concerto for piano and violin the following year, prior to composing his famous overture for Midsummer Night’s Dream .   Much of the Bezuidenhout, Von der Goltz and Freiburger Barockorchester’s performance of these compositions sounds like Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Paganini rolled into one and sprinkled with Bach and Mozart.   This recording, a rare treat by any standards, easily ends up on my top 10 classical recordings for 2011.   The passion on the disc alone can heat my home. The recording opens with the Concerto for Piano and Strings features the balanced architecture of Bach...

photo by Patricia Herlevi Just a note on an observation from the other day.  I walked through two different scenarios.  The first one, I walked through the Bellingham Farmers Market and felt a good vibe from street musicians performing on acoustic instruments, different types of traditional or folk type music.  The second scenario, I walked through (as quickly as possible), through the food booths set up for the Taste of Bellingham festival and felt assaulted by a psychedelic grunge band.  Knowing what I know about music entrainment and resonance, not to mention, the best music for food digestion, it baffles me why so many people are still unconscious about the effects of sound on their bodies. While I wasn't going to stop in the middle of the street and preach to deaf ears, I knew that I wouldn't be stopping by any food booths along that street and possibly missing out on supporting a good cause. The mixture of hot sun + crowds + food diversity + driving m...