Benjamin Zander Exposes a Common Passion for Classical Music

I was given the daunting task to pick, out of all of the speakers, one to analyze on Ted Talks.  After many videos and jaw-dropping facts later, I chose Benjamin Zander.  He is a Beethoven and Mahler interpreter, as well as a conductor.  Zander has been doing this for over twenty years, and his pure passion for classical music oozes from his speech.  Not only is the audience intrigued by what he’s saying, but astonished with how he’s saying it.

Benjamin’s intention was to prove that all people have a love for classical music.  He initially said that a small fraction of the room probably loved classical music, and many others who can either tolerate it, or hate it; pointing out that by the end of his speech almost everyone will love it.  He then says he’s going to demonstrate what is like for a seven year old to play the piano.  Sitting down at the grand piano on stage, he plays a brief passage exactly as how a seven year old would play it; followed by him playing how it would sound at 8, 9, and 10, growing better with each time.  He points out that what is making it sound better, are the inflections he’s putting on each note and points out that everyone in the room can notice the difference in each example.  Then, he plays an excerpt of a Chopin piece.  As he breaks down the song itself, he proves that the audience knows where the music is going when it comes to the natural resolve of a chord.  Finally, he tells the audience to imagine a loved one they’ve lost and to imagine them and what they would say as he plays the full Chopin piece.  He moves the crowd beautifully and closes saying that everyone would love classical music, if only they were shown in the right way.

What moves me, as well as the audience, is his execution.  He comes out of the gate bursting with life and enthusiasm and makes me believe how committed he his to music.  The greatest part was the piano.  He catches you with beautiful playing and perfect inflection.  The audience is captivated and silent.  Zander even points out that he knows he’s got everyone by the sparkle in their eyes; and most of the eyes were glistening.  Not only was I entertained, but I was actually truly inspired.  As he completes his speech I found myself wanting to clap with the audience, but I luckily held back.  It’s speakers like this who make me love the power of public speaking, as well as music.  To see someone expose their passion so vividly should be inspiring to all.

Here's the original video.

Dave Bottrill

Advanced Session Recording assignment. I chose producer Dave Bottrilll. The reason I chose Dave Bottrill was because, through this project actually, he has become a producer I have come to almost envy.  He is a triple threat with producer, mixer, and engineering credits ranging from King Crimson to Tool, to Circa Survive.  His work has yet to show any real boundaries.  Where a lot of people stick to a certain genre, David has been moving around all ends of the rock spectrum for years.  He also has a world music background.  I chose him because there are many aspects of his mixes that I now recognize and love about his projects.  The bass always seems to be mixed in the perfect spot 'underneath the kick," with a deep tone that usually has just the right amount of bite to it.  His guitars tend to always sound wide and epic, but never obtrusive to the mix.  His producing, I found, has brought a lot of bands to new levels in their career.  Now, of course, I'm not saying it was all him but under his direction I think many bands evolved with him.  Noticeably would be Tool's growth from their 1993's Undertow, to their 1996's Aenima.  (Also side note: I apologize in the video for saying Cynthia not Slyvia Massy)  Dave Bottrill's career has kind of been spread out with the projects he does but the product he presents I always find exceptional.  I am so thankful that I actually researched him because I love the feeling of knowing who helped create albums I've been listening to for years.  Just another piece added to the puzzle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtJJ_qIji3g

ASR Producer Podcast: Dave Bottrill

Podcast Number 2: Lateralus

Podcast Number 2

Peer evaluation - Brian Eno

I really enjoyed Matt’s post on Brian Eno.  It was short and to the point and made some very good observations too.  I also find myself sick of the entire fast paced, continuously evolving nature of everything at times, and find peace with minimalism.  The simplicity of it captures the beauty of it.  This outlook can’t really get a better example than that of Brian Eno.  The simple concept of just making sounds trigger not always on time so that the song never actually repeats is near revolutionary; especially in airports where people may have to kill a lot of time.  

Kraftwerk

The electronic genre of music hasn’t really been around for that long.  Even though it's roots can be traced to the beginning of the 20th century,  one of it's pioneers were the creative work of the band Kraftwerk.  Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider in Dusseldorf Germany formed the band around the year 1970.  They participated in the local scene of Germany developing, then entitled Krautrock.  They received international fame after their forth released album entitled, Autobahn.  This album, which was released in 1974, reached 25 on the US billboard and as high as 11 in the UK.  Only the title track actually had vocals on it.  The rest of the album, as well as their first three albums, were instrumental.  Kraftwerk’s follow up album, Radio-Activity, was released in 1975 and went more into experimental rhythms.  This album also featured lyrics in both German and English.  This was another concept album by the band.  I enjoy the themes of their albums like traveling through Europe, by car and train, and radiation.  This geeky complex fits well with the then new electronic genre.  I enjoy bands that take odd themes like this that don’t usually go with music.  These intellectual and nerdy topics seem to draw in a certain audience that would enjoy the genre.  This has also been shown in many of the famous acts they have influenced.  Over time they have influenced hundreds of bands, but there are a few more famous ones than others.  Some of these artists include David Bowie, Joy Division, Devo, and Depeche Mode.  As I listened I enjoyed their simple lyrics and catchy rhythms that didn’t ever really sound run of the mill for that time.  They have made ten studio albums in their career.  The last one coming after an almost 20 year break from the studio.  Their last album was released in 2003 and they have been touring since then.  In 2008, one of their founders, Schneider, left the band.

The Gorillaz

The Band I chose for my electronic music innovation post was the Gorillaz.  The main reason being is that they were the first virtual band.  Unlike cartoon bands of the past, such as Josie and the Pussycats, Gorillaz were made for music and not for TV.  The genius is that they have become an extremely popular band.  Their first two albums sold millions of copies and their third, which was just released, has been selling well too.  Damon Albarn, of the band Blur, originated the band.  He fronted the music aspect while Jamie Hewlett, animator, designed the band.  The band took form as four comic book gorillas.  With these designs it expanded into a whole universe of which these gorillas lived in.  The dark setting of many of their videos went along with their relatively experimental sound.  That is one of the aspects I enjoy most about their albums.  They have a fair number of radio singles but also have many tracks on the album that tend to push the limits of the electronic, pop, and rap genres.  Their albums remind me of mix cds I’ve made for my friends where I give them a few songs I know they will like, but then I also put songs that may expose them to new genres.  This is how I feel the Gorillaz help expose the public to music they may never give the time of day before.  For instance, their song “White Flag” off their most recent album Plastic Beach starts off with a foreign sounding instrumental that reminds me of some pacific themed hotel lobby music.  It quickly translates into a very odd electrically synthesized beat while two rappers lay down a verse in a very heavy English accent. This took me a few listens to start to enjoy but I’m glad it was included because now I could potentially enjoy that type of music more.  Another thing they do to draw in the masses, which is my second aspect, are their collaborations with many of today’s stars.  Their most recent album is a testament to this with cameos from Mos Def, an introduction track by Snoop Dogg, and a live band held up with half of the original members of The Clash.  They continue to take their time between records, but always deliver a great product.  I find them extremely interesting and plan on listening to anything they really right.