Author: Bridget Reardon

Five Tips For Enjoying A Jazz Concert

Bridget Reardon Jazz Concert

 

Organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, from today until next Monday, the Festival Buenos Aires Jazz 2016 will be held, with an important schedule of activities For those who are starting or are interested in starting to listen to this genre Here are five tips that will allow you to appreciate the melodies of the swing world.

Swing

It is a style developed during the 20s and 30s in the United States, whose references are Duke Ellington and Count Basie, among others. But the swing is also understood as an interpretation of rhythm that is only understood during improvisation by musicians. It is, at times, so “instinctive” that it is difficult to translate into the conventional cipher of Western music. Furthermore, the swing can be defined as a rhythmic connection that maintains the interaction of the musicians. “Nothing in life makes sense if you don’t have a swing,” Ellington said in a song.

Improvisation

It is the key to jazz. The difference that jazz has with other musical genres, such as classical music, is that the interpretation does not take into account the reading of scores (or it is done for an arrangement or for the execution of a basic melody). But improvisation means making the established melody more flexible and always imposing your own interpretation.

Standard

The standard is a classical piece that is usually performed and known by hundreds of musicians. Many are songs that were not originally composed as jazz themes, but as parts of musicals (eg, “But Not For Me” and other Gershwin compositions). But some of them were composed for jazz groups and eventually became classics, like “So What” by Miles Davis or “Misty” by Errol Garner.

Jam Session

It is a spontaneous and casual gathering of jazz musicians who come together to improvise freely or on standard themes.

Applause

It is common that, after the virtuous interpretation of a solo, the audience applauds. Why does this happen? Of course, it is a recognition of the listener for the one who manages to do a great improvisation. But it also shows a constant interaction between the band and the audience. The jazz listener is never passive and is very demanding with what he hears; hence when he applauds, it is because the musician really deserves it.

…

The Energy Of The Live Concert

Bridget Reardon Live Concert

Two days ago, I was here in Salzburg for a chamber music concert where Joshua Bell was playing. For those who do not know this violinist yet, he is the same one who played on the New York subway a few years ago as part of a sociological and musical experiment. He was playing for about an hour, and people passed by him, many without realizing that he was not just any street musician.

The concert took place in the large hall of the Mozarteum Foundation, with a capacity of 800 people. I got an entry in the second row and very focused. In this way, he had the interpreters only five meters away. At first, I thought: wow, what bad luck! Maybe the acoustics are not going to be as good as if I’m a little further back. Although the balance between the instruments was not optimal, it was a most interesting experience.

The program began with the full trio, followed by two duets: cello and piano/violin and piano. It ended again with the original formation. In this way, it was very striking to experience different sensations depending on who was playing at that time. Of course, the hallmark of Joshua Bell was his energy. Beyond the music, the notes, the sound that his violin produced, it was the “performance” that captivated: the energy it gave off and transmitted. Being in the second row, these sensations were amplified, and the difference in energy according to the formation became more evident. I could feel their breaths, their expressions, their looks, little priceless gestures from a distance…

During the concert, I was mulling over the entry that I wrote recently about the extinction of the concert, as we know it. I was wondering if the problem would not be the gigantic rooms we have created for 2000 or more people in some cases. There are a few places out of those 2000, from which the experience of a concert is very good: centered, not too far from the performers, with good visibility, etc. Others, however, almost reduce the concert to the sound experience due to the remoteness or bad situation. In this way, a very important part of what the live experience can offer is lost.

Praxis … Auditory?

I also wondered if, since the importance of “interpretive praxis” is often spoken of, it would not be necessary to also create a term for “auditory praxis.” Beyond the music that sounds, the question is: how does it reach the public? A lot of chamber music is played in giant auditoriums; why? This is certainly not the context in which much music from the 18th and 19th centuries was created.

From a historical perspective, we can say that this was a “lesser evil” for a long time. When these auditoriums began to be created from approximately 1870, there was not even the possibility of recording music. In this way, going to a concert was the only possibility to listen to music, and such large rooms made this possibility easier for more people, without forgetting the financial aspect. Nowadays, however, with immediate access to music and videos at the click of a button, it leaves the “distant” experience in many of those seats in the concert hall in a delicate situation. From them, there is no “energetic” experience, with the interpreters’ hundreds of meters away.

This reminds me of another concert I attended some time ago. I went to hear Janine Jansen at Britten’s concert at the National Auditorium. The performance was magnificent. However, my site was far behind, so the experience after watching the next video and going with certain expectations was quite “blurred.”

…

Musical Events That Can Turn Into A Great Trip

Bridget Reardon Musical Events

 No matter the destination, or the date of the trip, what matters is where the music you are passionate about sounds: be it rock, classical, jazz or metal.

There are few experiences as exciting in life as a good music concert. It’s like diving into a bubble of joy and fun. Night falls, the spotlights illuminate the stage, the first bars sound, and thousands of people you don’t know begin to sing around you. The music slowly lifts you into an imaginary universe, and you feel connected to all of them. The injection of positive energy is unmatched.

From a jazz or classical guitar concert to a metal or dance music festival, any one of them can be a great travel opportunity. You don’t have to set limits, look for the music you like the most, and travel to live an experience that will leave you an indelible memory for a lifetime.

Jazz In New Orleans On April 23

Without a doubt, we are talking about traveling to the cradle of jazz. The Big Easy, as New Orleans (USA) is nicknamed for lifestyle, has been celebrating the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival for 50 years (1970). On its stages, you can hear the best virtuosos of blues, gospel, or funk, among other genres, but especially jazz, a lot of jazz, both contemporary and traditional. Artists of the stature of Duke Ellington, Fats Domino, and Clifton Chenier have performed there.

Apart from the 13 stages to listen to the best live music, the delicious gastronomic offer in the street stalls is worth it: crab beignets, cochon de lait sandwiches, po’boy softshell crab, Cajun jambalaya, jalapeño bread, fried green tomatoes, oyster patties, muffulettas, and even kidney beans.

Keep in mind that, starting in June or July, the hurricane season begins and lasts until October, more or less. In fact, in summer, rain is almost constant.

Taking advantage of the festival, it is highly advisable to design a route to hear jazz and blues music, in addition to walking the streets where the echo of trumpets, saxophones, and marching bands is heard. On this route, the French Quarter, with its intense nightlife and its colorful buildings and Bourbon Street are essential. But above all, there are very authentic clubs in the alternative district of Marigny, especially on Frenchmen Street, such as The Spotted Cat Music Club.

Classical Music On May 7 In Prague

The Spring International Music Festival has been alive for more than 70 years. It has managed to survive, since 1946, all the historical events – dictatorships, wars, protests, revolutions … – that have occurred, year after year, in the wonderful city ​​of Prague (Czech Republic). It is surely one of the most popular in the country. The parade starring the world’s best artists, symphony orchestras, and chamber concerts is something exceptional. This year it will take place between May 7 and June 4, perhaps one of the best times to get to know the historic center of the city.

The location of the concerts in beautiful churches, gardens such as those of the Wallenstein Palace, historic buildings, and some of the most prestigious theaters in Europe make it a most touristy trip.

Perhaps it is worth taking a tour of several of these locations: the best known is the Church of St. Nicholas, in the Malá Strana district, whose organ, by the way, was played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is also highly advisable to enter the church of San Simón y San Judas, in the old city, where excellent concerts of old music are usually organized. And finally, the church of Santiago is wonderful and with one of the best acoustics in the city.

…

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy