NYPO Mahler 2 ..one spot to see AND hear

As part of the 9/11 decade commemoration, the New York Philharmonic performed Mahler's 2nd symphony. I missed the live broadcast because of a performance of my own but, fortunately, the whole thing is available in high definition on YouTube (which, we should remember, started in 2005 - four years after that terrible day...so much has changed).

Besides being moved by this great performance of one of my favorite symphonies, I found that actually watching the performers was quite instructive. In fact, I've cued up the video and used it in 3 lessons thus far.

In the following video, I've been cueing it up to roughly the 7-minute mark...the powerful chorale that starts with the trombones and bassoons. I've been using it to point out two things:

1. Relaxation: Watch, as the music gets louder, how relaxed the performers are. Such efficiency!
2. Embouchures: You get a lot of close-up shots. What do you notice? Not everyone is the same but there clearly are some general trends....very little movement, firm corners, etc.

Enjoy..watch, listen, learn.

NYPO Mahler 3 ..quick before it goes down

http://nyphil.org/attend/broadcasts/index.cfm?page=broadcastsByMonth

If haven't had a chance to hear it yet, move quickly. They pull it down on Oct. 16th!

Blogworthy Music Links

This from a former student, Will Timmons:

Werning Icking Music Archive

(a bunch of material you can download free)

This (I think) from current student Alex Manley:

New York Philharmonic broadcasts on the web.

This is one I often go to get those pesky composer dates:

Composers Classical Music

enjoy