Music of the Moment: The Essential Yo-Yo Ma
I won’t insult the intelligence of any of you by pretending to know anything about classical music. I know a few names and a few melodies, but not much beyond that.
TheWifeToWhomI’mMarried isn’t a classical music expert, either, but spends a good portion of the day listening to NPR at work. She can’t run down names, dates, movements, and conductors, but she knows she likes the music she hears day in and day out. She told me she wanted some classical music, but I didn’t really know where to begin. One night we were watching The West Wing and Yo-Yo Ma makes a cameo on the program. She looked at me and I knew before she said a word. Yo-Yo Ma for both of us.
My discovery of the beautiful sounds of the cello come from unusual sources: Screaming Trees and Nirvana. Nirvana’s Unplugged performance beautifully blended cello with the band’s music in the stripped down setting. Screaming Trees did a cover of John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” for a Lennon tribute album. Lanegan turns in a weary, hypnotic vocal but it was Barrett Martin’s cello that really stirred me.
It might not be the most obvious path to Ma, but I’m glad it led there. Beautiful.
Filed under: Barrett Martin, Mark Lanegan, Music of the Moment, Nirvana
The other day I was going through my iPod and realized that I only had 2 classical compositions. I was a little disappointed because I used to listen to classical music all the time. I’m definitely not an expert on this subject but I do prefer music from the classical period. Which includes Mozart & I think Beethoven.
Anyway, since its almost Xmas time might I suggest (that is if you don’t already own) Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, always a good choice.
And I like Mozart’s concerto for bassoon in B flat Major K191. But this one is usually found with concertos for oboe & clarinet.
The lovely S.Rod returns! How ya feelin, kid? On the mend and all?
Yeah, you can’t go wrong with Beethoven and Mozart then, can you? I should listen to a recording of the Nutcracker rather thinking of it as something wives and mothers do to punish their husbands and sons — and I’m actually referring to the ballet connotation, not the other way it could be construed. I know no one believes me when I say that, but I’m being serious.
Do you see what you’ve started, SRod? You’re an instigator. It’s one of the reasons we like having you stroll through here.
Feeling good. I’m hoping to get out of my back brace in another month or so and start physical therapy. I can’t wait to wear heeled shoes and get out of these flats. It feels like forever since I last trolled your page. heeehhee I hear you are going to do a radio show on BC again. Is that right? Damn, I haven’t been on BC either.
Anyway, reading your post yesterday really nudged me to pull out my CD book and find my classical collection. My vast collection of 6 CD’s! LOL iPod has been updated! YAY!
I would suggest that if you want to experience the Nutcracker you should go see the ballet. But you could always watch Fantasia. It has a handful of selections from the Nutcracker. I remember seeing it in the theater as a child…so cool. When Mark was in college he used to drink and watch it…ohhhh…. the colors…. the colors…
Yes, the radio show debuts tonight. You can listen live — if you’re a night creature — or you can download it as a podcast. Be sure to check us out. Saleski’s going to be on tonight.
I’m not sure I’ve got a ballet in me. I think I’ll stick with listening to the music and take a pass on the men in tights.
TWTWIM has Fantasia 2000 and I have a couple beers at home. Hmmmm…
You should try Edgar Meyer and Bela Flecks’ “music for two.” I’m no classical master either, but that disk is pretty phenomenal.