popular music

Concert Roundup: Wednesday Edition

For some reason I keep thinking it’s Thursday; I almost posted a viola joke. Wishful thinking, I guess.

• The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra breaks out the BSO Pops with “Music of the Baby Boomers.” So I’m not the target audience. Apparently Frankie Valli is happening; you mean it’s not spelled “Valley”? Live and learn, I guess. May 17 at Strathmore; May 18 – 20 at the Meyerhoff. [ See it! ]
• The National Symphony Orchestra counters with a very classical program: a Haydn symphony, a Weill symphony, and the Brahms second piano concerto as performed by Nelson Freire. May 17 – 19. [ See it! ]
• This week at Strathmore, we offer two counts of Debussy, a brass ensemble, and a talented soprano. [ See the calendar! ]

With apologies to Charlie Daniels

The devil went down to Georgia; he was looking for a soul to steal
He was in a bind ’cause he was way behind and he was willing to make a deal
When he came upon a young man sawing a viola and playing it hot
And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump and said,
“Ah-HA! This one’s already mine!”
So he took the violist’s soul and got the hell outta there. (Get it? The hell outta there!)

… No, seriously, Mr. Daniels. I do apologize.

Music Gifts: Yo Johann, I’m really happy for you and I’mma let you finish

We interrupt your usual Thursday viola joke/Friday LOL/Monday video schedule for a few additional music gifts so that you can order anything you like in time for the holidays. I’ll make it up to you next week, I promise.

Boys, I hope you aren’t feeling left out — I know an alarming number of music gifts I’ve featured thus far have been girl-oriented, provided of course that you aren’t a cross-dresser, in which case you probably feel fine. But just in case, here’s something you can put on YOUR wishlist or wrap up for your best Y-chromosomed friend. Because dudes, this is the best shirt of all time. OF ALL TIME!!!

Awww, I kid. Everyone knows I have a soft spot for Kanye ever since a two-dimensional parody of him insulted Mozart in favor of Beethoven (that’s right; my affection is illogically transferable). Plus they call it the “Bach to the Future” t-shirt and everyone knows how I feel about a good pun (everyone knows a lot about me). Bonus: this sucker is only $6. Or $50 if you order ten — buy one for your whole orchestra!

Or I don’t know, maybe $6 is a little out of your price range. How about $4.95 for a full twenty Yuri the Angry Viola stickers? That’s twenty presents right there! Shopping list = done.

My God, guys, Kanye is RIGHT!

Awww. I just can’t stay mad at a man who loves Beethoven.

Related anecdote: I saw the original Kanye-vs-Taylor throwdown live on account of because I was hanging with my friend Tarik, who watches pretty much ALL the awards shows. Tarik happens to be African-American. When Kanye busted onto the stage and made his little speech, Tarik stood, threw the remote control onto the couch, said “We don’t claim him,” and walked out of the room with his hands in the air. Gilded comedy gold!

A clever title

No, I mean the group has a clever title. If “A clever title” is also a clever title for the post, then what we have here is exponential cleverness, and we must tread carefully.

Has anyone heard any really good street musicians lately?

A threat

See, my mom is right! Pop music does ruin everything! (I kid, I kid.)

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Concert Roundup: This Time It’s Personal

My apartment building is so weird. Sometimes HALF the power is out. This morning all my lights worked, my TV and Xbox worked, my chargers worked. My fridge was off and my internet, while recognizable, wasn’t usable. I only just got it back, and that, my friends, is why today’s concert roundup is late. In other words, please address all your complaints to the building manager and I’ll forward them along. Thanks!

• I’m a little puzzled by this week’s Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert. It’s called “The Music of Elton John and More.” It doesn’t say what the “more” is and it doesn’t say the BSO isn’t playing, so I guess it must be accompanying the Michael Cavanaugh vocalist/pianist person. Who comes with a Broadway resume, apparently. If you really like Elton John — and I understand many do — you’ve got nothing to lose. October 13 at Strathmore and October 14 through 16 at the Meyerhoff. See it!
• The National Symphony Orchestra is also going poppy this week with a concert devoted to Rodgers and Hammerstein. I have already proudly announced my love for The Sound of Music and distrust for those who dismiss it outright, so I think we all know where I stand on the R&H issue. Plus they’re featuring a whole bunch of Broadway-types too, in addition to The Washington Chorus. At the Kennedy Center concert hall, October 13 through 15. See it!

This LOL tells you who you are

Today’s LOL comes courtesy of my friend Dan, who sent me this image with the accompanying offer to secure me a copy if the blogosphere would be interested. Whaddya say, collective blogosphere? Are you Beatles people or Elvis people?

Not A Composer Cagematch: Justin Bieber vs. Beethoven

You are reading that correctly. And the really heartening thing about it is, the unanimous opinion is that Beethoven won. Who says today’s youth aren’t cultured? Happy Labor Day!

(I’m also fond of Gandalf vs. Dumbledore.)

The playlist less traveled

Today’s Not Quite Classical Week post goes waaaaay far off the beaten path. In fact, it’s not classical at all. Its only classical connect is that it has been assembled by me, a classical music lover, under the impression that I am not the only such who likes to delve into other genres, specifically rock. I think this is true of all of us, no? Well, not my mother. But the rest of us.

And so here’s a very, very small playlist of rock music I think has enough musical quality and integrity that you, a classical music snob, might trust this classical music snob enough to try. It’s a scant few bands with a small selection of recommendations each. Give ‘em a try — I mean, even if you hate them, at least you’ll have that deeply satisfying feeling of turning up your nose at them, right?

As Darkwing Duck says: let’s get dangerous.

Band: Jukebox the Ghost. Songs: “Lighting Myself on Fire,” “Under My Skin,” “Victoria,” “The Stars.” I think: These guys, to me, are a sort of modern Beatles, if you’ll forgive such sacrilege — they’re quirky, they’re gifted, they have interesting instrumentation and orchestration, and the lead singer has a light, pleasant voice.

Band: Jump, Little Children (sometimes called just Jump, but that’s dumb so I’m sticking with the original). Songs: “Habit,” “Cathedrals,” “Dark and Lonely Man.” I think: An alt rock band with a cellist. YES.

Band: Dispatch. Songs: “The General,” “Two Coins.” I think: The have a gentle, acoustic-y thing going on with subjects that go beyond your standard sex, drugs, and rock and roll trifecta.

Band: Counting Crows. Songs: “Le ballet d’or,” “Holiday in Spain,” “Raining in Baltimore,” “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby,” “Angels of the Silences,” “Mr. Jones.” I think: “Mr. Jones” is MY SONG. Let’s be honest here — the lead singer doesn’t have the most traditionally lovely voice. But he has a rawness that sort of fits the brilliant lyrics. What I really like about Counting Crows is the way they make their instruments work all the way through their songs — no 1, 4, 1, 4 here.

Band: The White Stripes. Songs: “Conquest,” “Ball and Biscuit,” “Catch Hell Blues.” I think: Okay, if you didn’t like the lead singer above, you’re really not gonna like Jack White’s voice. He has some… unique views on intonation. But my God, if you need some good guitar licks in your life, look no further. And if you want to slap some trumpets on top of that, “Conquest” can help.

Band: The National. Songs: “Slow Show,” “Fake Empire.” I think: I LOVE that the lead singer has a deep voice; tenors, you have beautiful voices, but there are just too many of you. This is my alt rock Howard Keel, and the percussion is tops.

Band: Guster. Songs: “Airport Song,” “Demons.” I think: They may never top their album Goldfly, but if you’d like to hear some percussion on drums NOT in a set, they’re a good bet.

This is not a definitive listing by any means. It’s not a guarantee. But as one classical music lover to another, here are some non-classical songs I like — maybe you will too! Feel free to share your own.