So, yesterday I had a conversation with a conductor having just finished rehearsing Beethoven’s 3^rd piano concerto in which we tried in vain to think of a piece that Ludwig wrote in either e-flat major or c minor that wasn’t great. We could not think of one. That got me thinking, are there any works by any composer with three flats in the key signature that are not masterpieces?

Beethoven’s innate talent for c minor is well known as his fifth symphony, forth string quartet, third piano concerto, op. 9 #3 string trio, and many others can attest. But on closer inspection his e-flat works also stand out; see the Eroica Symphony, “Harp” quartet, op. 127 quartet, “Emperor” piano concerto, and Septet.

(more…)

With the Thanksgiving holiday having just past and the Christmas and New Year holidays on the way, I thought I would take a moment to list a few of the things that I am thankful for, as well as a few resolutions that I will attempt to fulfill in the coming year (or however long it takes).

In no particular order, I am thankful for:

• Thomastik Vision Solo strings

• Sibelius music notation software (Finale eats it, in my humble opinion) (more…)

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!

Yesterday on the way home from work, I heard the beautiful Romance in f minor by Dvorak played by Itzhak Pearlman. While the piece is gorgeous and the performance competent, I always cringe when I hear this work because I consider it one of my biggest failures as a violinist.

You see, like any other musician, there are some works that “agree” with me and there are some that absolutely positively do not. The reasons for this remain a mystery to me, but the facts are there. In most cases, the works with which I struggle are those that would normally fit my technique and temperament, while some of the works that I play very well have been a surprise, not only to myself but to the teachers with which I studied them. (more…)