Wow, it’s been a long time since I updated this site. Sorry about that.
I have been pretty busy with a new job (no, I don’t make my living just playing violin anymore) and have had a few gigs during my free time that have pretty much kept me away from the computer. When I have been online, I have been sucked into Farmville and other Facebook buffoonery that has eaten into my blogging time.
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Hi there.
I’ve got a few things in the works that I would like to tell you about. One is a new composition project that I’ve started, and the other is a new feature of this site that is in the works.
I mentioned the other day that I’ve started an arrangement of the Kruetzer Sonata for full orchestra, and that will still be finished, but a new project has pulled my interest into second gear. I am working on some jazz pieces for violin and other sundry instruments. I’ve finished one tune already (ironically not featuring violin at all), and I have 3 others written that are pending notation and editing. I plan on writing an “album” of about 10-12 songs and then putting together a CD for anyone who might be interested. More to follow.
Additionally, I am adding a shopping feature to this site which will allow my intrepid readers to purchase T-shirts, coffee mugs, sheet music, and many other items related to this site as well as the violin in general. This is totally in the infant stages right now, but I’ve already started working with the code as well as sourcing the product.
Thank you for visiting and keeping the violin “Sempre.”
I have started a new arrangement for full orchestra now that the Ysaye is essentially finished. This time I’m tackling the Beethoven “Kreutzer” sonata (first movement) which is among the most loved, most difficult, and most emotionally charged of his works for violin and piano. It is a wonderful work that I think will translate beautifully to full orchestra. It also has a prominent part in that Beethoven movie Immortal Beloved which was not a great movie (although Gary Oldman was spot on as Ludwig), but the soundtrack is outstanding and the story behind this piece helps explain the furious nature of the first movement.
Updates to follow. Thanks for visiting!
In the event that you visited here, or wasn’t aware of the site, or have been living in a cave in western Australia, I’d like to refresh your memory of this site and its uses.
This is a site that is a blog-style site that deals mostly with classical music as played by the violin. I am a violinist as well as teacher and conductor, thus the thrust of the site. I have written and encourage anyone to submit articles on violin technique, repertoire, and current events that are paramount to violinists, students, and otherwise musically educated folk for ingesting through this venue.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or simply write something and let me know how I can include it here.
Thank you for visiting!
HD
I have finally finished the orchestration of the Ysaye Ballade that I’ve been working on for seemingly years and years. Actually it’s only been 4-5 months, but I’m not done quite yet. I’ve posted the work here, but I am still editing the score for articulation and a few wrong notes here and there. I hope to have the full score, all the parts, and 99% correct notation by the end of the year for a possible performance in the Spring of 2010. We’ll see.
Thanks for looking!
HD
Wow, it’s been a long time since I put any effort into this site. I am hoping to change that going forward.
Football season gets started soon, as does school season. I’ve been working on a lot of new arrangements for string orchestra which are all coming along very well. You can see them all HERE.
I’m still working on the violin, however I’ve had a few setbacks with regard to my health. I’ve recently had surgery to repair a herniated disc in my upper back. I am back to 100% now and pain free so it’s back to work!
Stay tuned for more!