The Imaginative Conservative is part of my daily reading, and though this article dates from 2011, it serves as a nice primer for the music of the great maestro.
Classical Music
[Video] When – Death In The Blue Lake
Lars Pedersen (When) is a Norwegian post-Industrial/Avant-Progressive/Proto-Black Ambient composer whose work never really got its fair due. I actually came across his work in several progressive rock magazines, as well as the seminal experimental publication ‘Music From The Empty Quarter’ (RIP), who didn’t quite know what to make of his work. If he is still active and making music, I’m sure he’s taking advantage of the upgrades in technology. The raw material he had to work with was bleak, unnerving, and quite amazing.
[Video] Valentina Ambrosanio – Notturno n° 1 op. 9 (F. Chopin)
There is much good in Italy in terms of music, especially in the South, which tends to hide its prizes a bit better than in the better-publicized North of the country. Some years ago, I had the joy of traveling to Naples, where I made the acquaintance of pianist Valentina Ambrosanio. In a city which breathes romance, a wild beauty, music and poetry of every shade imaginable, Valentina’s ability, warmth and charm stood out above the crowd.
She is quite comfortable interpreting masters such as Frydryk Chopin (as you can see in the video below) and Johannes Brahms, but has no fear of exploring modern compositions.
Ambrosanio will be working on recording an album sometime this year. She will be worth looking out for in the future.
The Dead Russian Composer Personality Test
Yes, such a thing exists, thanks to the wonders of the Internet. While digging through old links, I came across this gem, and decided to test myself. The result?:
 |
If I were a Dead Russian Composer, I would be Sergei Prokofyev. I was born in the late 19th century and was a child prodigy, composing at a very young age. I kept this talent up, earning myself quite a name and fully exploiting the bragging rights. I was disliked by Stalin, however, and I died the same day he did. My most famous work is “Peter and the Wolf.” Who would you be? Dead Russian Composer Personality Test |
Not bad!
John Zorn @ 60
John Zorn has had a magnificent, storied career. The Walker Art Center will be doing a retrospective of his career. For more on this celebration of Zorn’s work, read more here.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 