Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Wednesday Paints It Black

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 It is the starting week of a new term. In her first lesson, I  asked a new student what had inspired her to take up cello. "Wednesday in the Addam's Family" was her reply. I love it when students introduce me to new music. So here, for you all to enjoy  are the cello scenes in the Netflix 2022 series. They are terrific.

Apparently the  actress learned to play the cello for the role but although, Netflix make much of that in their publicity, it is probably fair to say that it is not Jenna Ortega heard on the soundtrack but she does a great job of looking as if she is really playing. 

Covers of well known rock and pop songs can make great party pieces. If you know a verse or two of the lyrics, it makes them easier to learn. The second piece heard in the clip is by Vivaldi. 

So click on the lick for a version of Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. 

Paint  it Black https://youtu.be/O4irXQhgMqg?si=ET7zQBKESMfwomo1


Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Irish Cello Air The Snowy Breasted Pearl

 


As St Patrick's Day approaches, the focus this week in the studio has been on Irish repertoire. Have a listen to this lovely version of The Snowy Breasted Pearl from Cork based cellist, Ilze de Ziah.  In preparation practice an A major scale and the forward extension. The cello with its rich timbre makes a great solo instrument. Check out also Sheku Kanneh Mason's solo rendition of a Welsh air here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gKXfDnsiJg

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Hi Says the Blackbird Grade 2 Cello RIAM

 Hi Says the Blackbird 



When you are tackling repertoire that is a song and has lyrics, it is worth knowing even one verse of the song to help with phrasing and to catch the mood and tone of the piece. The Bird Courting Song is an American folk song. I include just three of the ten or so verses here.
Watch the video for a charming sung version of Hi Says the blackbird. The video below is a cello instrumental version that is on the grade 2 RIAM syllabus. Remember you can adjust the settings on youtube to slow the video speed down.

Hi! says the blackbird, sitting on a chair,
Once I courted a lady fair;
She proved fickle and turned her back,
And ever since then I'm dressed in black.

Hi! says the blue-jay as she flew,
If I was a young man I'd have two;
If one proved fickle and chanced for to go,
I'd have a new string to my bow.

Hi! says the little leather winged bat,
I will tell you the reason that,
The reason that I fly in the night
Is because I lost my heart's delight.


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Kol Nidrei

 Mischa Maisky plays Kol Nidrei with Max Bruch 

Today is Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and the holiest day in Judaism.  The Yom Kippur service traditionally includes an ancient and mournful melody called the "Kol Nidre," which is also the basis of a concert piece by composer Max Bruch, written for solo cello and orchestra in 1880.   

The German National Socialist Party during the 1930's  assumed that Bruch was of Jewish origin and banned his music until Germany's defeat in the Second World War. Fortunately, for Bruch, who was raised Protestant, and whose ancestors were not Jewish, his music survived the persecution and Kol Nidrei is still firmly planted in the canon of every cellist. 

Have a listen to Ukrainian born cellist Mischa Maisky play this soulful piece. 

Friday, July 22, 2022

Schubert Cradle Song


This lovely lullaby by Schubert turns up on  the Grade 1 violin and cello syllabus. Some of you have played a duet version. Here are four different versions for you to listen to. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBq4tT5Sk8c Cello Version of Schubert Cradle Song 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxd2oeTynhc  Violin Virtuoso version The player here is Yovanovitch Bratza, who I haven't come across before. He was born in Serbia and died in England in 1964. This is a very old recording . 


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2xx6lncuIY Vocal version