Jacob Ming-Trent - "My Problem Right There" (Hands on a Hardbody)

Jacob is one of the many wonderful students I have had the great fortune to work with. 

He also is one of the great voices.   Expect to hear more from him.

That music always round me Walt Whitman, from Leaves of Grass That music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning - yet long untaught I did not hear; But now the chorus I hear, and am elated; A tenor, strong, ascending, with power and health, with glad notes of day-break I hear, A soprano, at intervals, sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense waves, A transparent bass, shuddering lusciously under and through the universe, The triumphant tutti - the funeral wailings, with sweet flutes and violins - all these I fill myself with; I hear not the volumes of sound merely - I am moved by the exquisite meanings, I listen to the different voices winding in and out, striving, contending with fiery vehemence to excel each other in emotion; I do not think the performers know themselves - but now I think I begin to know them.

Holiday Performance Party Invitation 2009.mov

It is time for the Holiday Performance Party, something I look forward to with great joy. It has become a tradition that brings my current students and many of those who have gone on to college or professional careers in a bigger market, together. There is a nervous excitement for my newer students hearing the more seasoned and then a chance to talk about it at the party after. It is a chance for me to spend some quality time with parents and partners of my students. I always enjoy this, finding I gain some new insight on the student I see every week. And of course I love making music and having people come to my home for a good meal.

"What is your favorite music?"

     I spent a few moments today pondering the ridicules question "What is your favorite music?".  My usual response sounds rather flip, "what ever I am working on right now". With very few exceptions I can honestly say I have spent most of my life surrounded by music I love. Practicing, performing, teaching, attending a live performance, banging around in my head while I walk with Bella on the beach. It is more unusual for me to listen to recorded music, although I have a rather large collection. Perhaps I am too disorganized to have the proper hardware around me at the proper time to make this happen. And it is also true that if music is to live, there must be silence surrounding it, to give it buoyancy or a staging ground from which to take flight.

Now for the real answer: 

     I love the Rückert-Lieder of Gustav Mahler.  If you have a moment to listen to them as performed by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson or in this performance by Angelika Kirchschlager, I am sure you will understand why.