An insight into the “Happy Birthday” tune“Happy Birthday to You” is not an accidental success. It is not a traditional song nor did it appear ex nihilo. It originated with the Hill sisters, Patty and Mildred, and was first sung in a kindergarten classroom in Louisville, Kentucky in the late 19th century, back when kindergarten was a social experiment. Patty Smith […]
Beethoven and the spiderXaver Schydner von Wartensee, in the early days of meeting Beethoven, was curious about a tale he had heard about Beethoven and a spider. Before Schnyder had become acquainted with the immortal Master, he had read the well-known anecdote according to which, when Beethoven was practising the violin in his garret, a spider lowered itself […]
Deereeree the Wagtail, and the RainbowTitle: Deereeree the Wagtail, and the Rainbow Text: Aboriginal dreamtime legend. Based on the account by Catherine Langloh Parker. Composer: Greg Smith Instrumentation: Voice, Flute, 2 Clarinets in Bb, Cello and Piano Product medium: PDF score and part Sample:
How we decorate space and time“Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time.” Jean-Michel Basquiat, street artist
The RinkTitle: The Rink (Silent film soundtrack) Composer: Greg Smith Instrumentation: Piano Product medium: PDF score Related products: – The Rink – MP3 soundtrack BACKGROUND: FILM: Written by: Charles Chaplin, Vincent Bryan & Maverick Terrell Starring: Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Henry Bergman & Albert Austin Directors: Charles Chaplin & Edward Brewer Year of release: […]
The effect of Tchaikovsky’s music on his patronessNadyezhda Filaretovna von Meck was Tchaikovsky’s patroness. In March 1877 she wrote of the effect of Tchaikovsky’s music on her. The work being described is a Marche Funèbre on a theme from Oprichnik (this work is now lost). It is so superb that, as I had hoped, it elevates and transports me into a […]
Personality“Personality is to a man what perfume is to a flower.” – Charles M. Schwab, The Ten Commandments of Success
Of the Father’s love begottenTitle: Of the Father’s Love Begotten Tune: Divine Mysterium Composer: 11th Century Chant Arranger: Greg SmithInstrumentation: SATBProduct medium: PDF score Sample:
Brahm’s first meeting with SchumannHe [Brahms] sat down and began the sonata which had so impressed Joachim [a violinist]. As he played, a swift change transformed [Robert] Schumann’s impassive features. The Master listened with growing interest, then suddenly sprang to his feet. “Please”, he cried. “Will you wait just a moment? Clara -” He hurried to the door and […]
The best music“The best music is the music that persuades us that there is no other music in the world.” – Alex Ross, music critic Cited in: Ross, Alex, “From Classical to punk”, Limelight, January 2011, p.29.
