Recording of the week and an update...

J.S. Bach-- Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
Rachel Podger

It's shameful that I haven't kept up on this blog like I should, and the irony lies in the fact that I'm too busy being a musician to blog about being a musician! School has literally taken over all of my once limited extra time, and much to the annoyance of my family, is causing more stress than it should. I am trying to remedy that by adopting an "I simply don't give a shit" attitude, but that never works for me!

This week will be filled with excitement! I have 2 concerts coming up on the 20th and 21st, a masterclass with the KUSS Quartet on the 18th, and I am literally cramming for my upcoming masterclass with Joseph Silverstein on the 25th. I basically have learned the Bach Chaconne in a about a month. It will be a miracle if I can get through it next week! So for my recording of the week I decided to post Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin. This is an interesting recording because Podger plays with much more Baroque authenticity then say Pearlman or Milstein. The poor girl is in dire need of a makeover, but man can she play Bach!

Recording of the Week

Joshua Bell

Voice of the Violin

Now, I am a little infuriated with myself because I just discovered this album a few months ago while I was browsing around Barnes and Noble. It came out in 2006! Those of you who are really my friends know that I love Joshua Bell and I will take any criticism you have on that matter very personally! No one (since Kriesler) SINGS it like he does, so how fitting that he made a record filled with famous vocal pieces arranged for violin. This album features works like Schubert's Ave Marie, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Debussy's Beau Soir, and even Orff's In trutina from Carmina Burana.

Let me take this opportunity to apologize to the 2 or 3 people who actually read this blog. I know it's been a long while since I have posted anything. In case you care, here is a run-down of what's happening musically in my life: 3 concerts this summer with the Utah Symphony (see upcoming performances for details), recording gigs here and there, and the big news: DMA program at the U in the fall. Right now I am studying for my placement exams and practicing the Barber Violin Concerto, still teaching 11 private students and will be back teaching at SLCC in the fall, at least until my head explodes!

A few weeks ago I was hired to play in a concert featuring Monteverdi's Vespers with the University of Utah choirs, conducted by Brady Allred. It was a fantastic experience to play this amazing music and the concert recieved a great review. Read it here:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695270362,00.html

As promised...

The album, Man of Honor, has just been released and is now available to the public. It is a collaboration of songs written in commemoration of the late President Gordon B. Hinckley. I had the opportunity to record the song, "They Testify of Christ" with my friend Marshall McDonald. You can purchase the album here:



http://http//www.yourldsneighborhood.com/JumpPage.aspx?id=63

New Recording

This week I will be involved in a recording project. It's an album produced in commemoration of President Hinkley, former president of the LDS Church, who recently passed away. I will be playing violin on one of the songs. The album will be released just before Mother's Day. I'm not sure what the title is but I will find out and post more information.

Ding! Round 4!

Recording of the Week: Mahler Symphony No. 5
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conducting




There must be something seriously wrong with me. Today I auditioned for the DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) program at the U. I just can't get enough of school! The audition went well and they seemed very interested in me. The program there is solid, much improved since my days there 8 years ago. We'll see if they make me an offer I can't refuse!

The Salt Lake Symphony is taking on the phenominal task of Mahler's 5th Symphony next weekend so I will be spending my week practicing that. I like the San Fran. Symphony's recording with Michael Tilson Thomas. You MUST come to the concert just to hear the Adagietto. Simply stunning.

Recording of the Week

Vivaldi-- Four Violin Concertos
Itzhak Perlman, violin
Israel Philharmonic




Since several of my violin students will be playing Vivaldi concertos this year and I will soon be teaching the Baroque period in my class at SLCC, I thought this would be a good recording to post. Even if you are not a music freak like I am, you will enjoy Vivaldi's concertos. There's a reason they are timeless. Lovely, elegant, classic. Try them!

Recordings of the Week

Chopin Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Krystian Zimerman
Polish Festival Orchestra

Holst: The Planets
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Conducting

Ok, I couldn't choose so I posted 2 recordings this week. I heard this recording of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 on sirius radio the other day and thought it was fantastic. It's so great to be back at work at SLCC. I am teaching 2 classes this semester, doing my best to convince these eager young students that going to the symphony and the opera is FUN! We'll see if they buy it. They did last semester! Today I gawked and gooed over The Planets so I thought I would post my favorite recording. You can't get much better than the Chicago Symphony!

Recording of the Week

Brahms Violin Concerto

Itzahk Perlman

Berlin Philharmonic, Daniel Barenboim, conducting

Wow! I just realized how long it's been since I posted a recording. Sorry to my students! This is my all-time favorite rendition of the Brahms Violin Concerto. Although I do love Anne-Sophie Mutter and Hilary Hahn, this is still the best.