Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lautenwerk - Lute-Harpsichord



I received a new cd featuring an unusual instrument, the lautenwerk, and featured the following piece on my morning show. William Byrd's "The Maiden's Songe featuring Daniel Pyle playing the lautenwerk, a favorite instrument of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Advanced Cat Yodeling

From the people that brought you "An Engineer's Guide to Cats" (see 05/26/09 posting)
comes their new video "Advanced Cat Yodeling." I give it thumbs up! Or should that be paws up?



Check out this interview with "Guide to Cats" creator Paul Klusman.

Apparently professing your love for our feline friends can be good for one's human love life as I discovered by reading this article on Klusman on "The Cat's Meow"site.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

An Engineer's Guide to Cats



And here's one Thom Kokenge, our "All Things Considered" host recently sent me.



Enjoy!

Morten Lauridsen



I saw "Angels and Demons" yesterday and was delighted to hear some familiar musical strains over the ending credits. I stuck around to see the credits and was delighted that my suspicison was correct. It was Colfax, Washington native
Morten Lauridsen's "Introitus" from "Lux Aeterna." His music deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. It's gorgeous.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Hurdy Gurdy



Here's some information about, and pictures of, the wonderful hurdy gurdy.


Check out the photograph of this mega hurdy gurdy by Emiel vanRooijen! If it inspires you learn how to build your own!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Inspiration for all piano students!



View the video below to see and hear Hee Ah Lee play and to learn about her remarkable life.


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Sounds and Sights of the Tri-Cities


This past weekend I had the privilege of spending some time in the Tri-Cities. The weather, the people and the music were all lovely as you can see in the following photos. The Tri-Cities has this unique juxtaposition of green grass, blue sky and water and tumbleweeds.



Here are some photos I took at Howard Amon Park and the Kiwanis Lions Park in Richland. I'm always so impressed with these parks. There are plenty of picnic tables under the shade trees and assorted standing and swinging benches for all to enjoy....even our canine companions!





How appropriate that on Mother's Day I saw mothers of all kinds!







The Mid-Columbia Symphony sounded awesome on Saturday night conducted by Nicholas Wallin. We heard the full symphony in Sibelius Spring Song and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, and a much smaller group for Vivaldi's "Spring" and Summer" from The Four Seasons featuring violinist, Mary K. French.

It was gratifying to see such a long line by the season ticket counter. If you missed the chance to buy your season tickets on Saturday you can do so on the Mid-Columbia Symphony
website.

I spoke with a number of the dedicated orchestra members. Here's cellist, Bruce Walker, who is a music teacher in the Tri-Cities. We really need to express our appreciation to these hard working and talented musicians. They work hard at their "day" jobs so that they can share their passion and love of music with us.


Here's me with our Sales Manager Dave Deeney.



Sunday afternoon I headed over to the Richland High School Auditorium to enjoy the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival. What a colorful and fun afternoon. The costumes were colorful, the dancing in turns lovely and energetic, the musicians amazing and Nikolai's range is incredible. What an amazing man! I hope that you click on the link and read more about him. He really needs to write a book someday.


Click here for the 2009-2010 schedule and seasonticket information for the Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities.