Freedom of ...Music

                        

                                         The Unhasu Orchestra, North Korea

Recent events reported out of North Korea are disturbing.

If you haven't heard, several musicians associated with the Unhasu Orchestra, including a young woman reportedly having been (at one time) a romantic interest of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un, have been executed. 

Executed because of some perceived failure on their part to fulfill the wishes (read "propaganda") of the government. I believe family members were also executed or imprisoned. This is to have taken place in the past few months.

Truth in this report is (unsurprisingly) denied by the North Korean government and is, as yet, unsubstantiated though the evidence is mounting that the executions did occur.

It is nearly impossible to imagine living in a place that imposes governmental propaganda on it musicians in 2013.

This is not the first time it has occurred in world history. I remind you of when the Soviets and Nazis were in power. Not just musicians, but all creative sorts, were given the option to comply with governmental directives or else. 

Or else they would be 

     imprisoned, 

          exiled, 

               executed, 

Or all of the above.

I recall reading about how Rachmaninov escaped Russia under the guise of touring to represent the many exceptional talents of the Russian government.  He left with his family and thus was able to leave his beloved homeland for good. Upon realizing Rachmaninov had duped the government, from then on when an artist left the country with intent to perform, teach, etc. the artist's family was not allowed to accompany them on the journey. Essentially the family members were held hostage until the artist returned to the country.

I cannot imagine living in such an environment.

We speak frequently of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

How often do we consciously realize the glorious freedom we have to make MUSIC?

I mean, think about it. We can play/sing/compose any type of music whenever we want without fear of governmental retribution. We can listen to a seemingly infinite and varied supply of music. Our government, though with dwindling support in recent years, actually financially supports artistic endeavors. It even honors musical artists with prestigious awards.

So, when you pray prayers of thanksgiving for the freedoms our country affords, don't forget to pray for the freedom of music.

Not everyone is blessed as we are.

Under the Baton

Over my career I have been impressed by many outstanding musicians - performers, composers, teachers, conductors...

I never cease to be impressed by conductors who conduct concerts without music scores in front of them. 

This amazement began under the baton of Col. Arnald Gabriel at the University of Iowa's summer music camp. He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. 

                 

Not only did Col Gabriel not use scores in performance, he did not use a score during rehearsals either. I still recall how my jaw dropped when he would say, "Trumpets, measure 57 should be B natural, not B flat." He knew the most minute detail about the music. Sure, one of he works was the famous band suite by Holst, but still that is a long piece of music. I got to play the trombone solo for him in the piece Tam O'Shanter. I loved that solo!

Many years later (nearly 35 years) I had occasion to sit in on his rehearsal of the TMEA All-State band. Once again I was thrilled to see that Col Gabriel, nearing 80-85 years old, still did not use scores during rehearsal. I eagerly approached him during a break and introduced myself to him & reminded him of that time long ago at summer camp. I mentioned how he had impressed me then and how often I have remembered the example he was for me. I told him I was proud to have played Tam O'Shanter for him. His eyes grew large and he said, "You're that young girl that played that solo? Do you remember I told you to play it like a drunk man?" I laughed and told him I remembered and admitted to him I'd never been drunk so I hoped I played it correctly. He said he remembered me because I was the only girl trombone player to have played that solo. :)

I asked him about his conducting without scores - how did he do that? He said "Study! Then study some more. A lot more!"

His break was over so I moved to stand behind the trombones (others directors/observers were in the room too) so I could watch from a remembered vantage point. He stopped to rehearse the trombones and, when they couldn't give him what he was asking for he said, "I could have that woman standing behind you play it and she hasn't been practicing it for 2 days!" Flattered and a bit embarrassed for being called out I just smiled.

~*~

              

A choral colleague does not conduct with music. She told me, "If I expect the singers to sing the music by memory then I should too." Good point. I wonder how many directors have this expectation of their singers, but not of themselves?

As a choral director I made a point to KNOW the music I was directing in performances. I always had music on a stand in front of me, but that did not necessarily mean that I used it. Oftentimes it was just there. Now when I have opportunity to direct I am mindful of Col Gabriel's advice to STUDY then study MORE!

~*~

Tonight's concert performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra led by potential JSO music director candidate, Maestro Peter Shannon, was yet another tally in my scoreless conductor list.

Sure, the pieces were well-known orchestra works (Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla Overture, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919)) but still being able to conduct the entire concert without music is impressive. 

This concert brought back some memories for me.

Always proud to have learned under the baton of Col Arnald Gabriel.

Gather 'Round, Folks!

                                            

Gather 'round, folks, it's time to talk about folk music.

What comes to mind when you hear that? Folk music.

For me I think of traditional folk music. You know, those songs that are learned through oral tradition, the passing down of songs from one generation to another. Songs often learned at the knee of a grandparent or parent. Songs that have stood the test of time. Songs that are written by the famous composer "Anonymous." Songs that are in the native tongue. Songs that evolve over the years during which time variants are created because the singer might forget or leave out words or make up new ones. Songs sung either a cappella or accompanied by acoustic instruments.

For me I think of urban folk music or folk rock. You now, the songs learned by hearing them countless times on the radio or on the record player. (Yes, I'm that old!) Because of this mode of learning the songs there are not so many variants. They remain the same from one singer to the next, from one generation to the next. After all, how can the recording sound different - unlike live human repetition of a song.  Those songs sung by such musicians as Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul, & Mary. Songs that are either modernized versions of traditional folk songs (songs written by the famous composer "Anonymous," but arranged to sound new) or songs composed to *sound* like traditional folk songs.

For me I think of the new "indie folk" genre intended to make folk music novel yet if you read the above paragraph - it's been done. A few decades ago. Tonight I described "indie" as meaning an individual, independent, unique style. Folk meaning it draws from folk styles. These new groups write original tunes in their perceived folk style with expanded instrumentation in the accompaniment. They sing classic country hits (probably thinking they are true folk songs), only they might change the voicings. Case in point, at tonight's concert Elvis' "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" and Johnny Cash' "Folsom Prison Blues" were sung by a female duet. It was nice, but in my opinion don't mess with such signature songs by such well known musicians. (My opinion on cover songs is a topic for another post.)

Traditional folk is my muse.

     Urban folk or folk rock is my love.

          Indie folk...is growing on me.

If it has "folk" in the title I'm likely to like it.