John's Pick

Listening this morning to Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album.  John picked this up at a HamFest.  He loves the old crooners (and those who emmulate them).  HCJr reminds me of Tony Bennett.

Verdi

I heard Verdi's "Va Pensiero" on Grooveshark when I was looking for musical settings of Psalm 137.   Now I want to see/hear all of Verdi's Nabucco.  This music is SO beautiful!

Songs of Taize

Listening to the Songs of Taize.  These sung prayers are so beautiful!  I want to visit Taize some day! :)

Blogalogue For Musicians

Listening to music is like re-energizing my battery!  I'm listening to music (recorded or live) nearly all the time!  At the moment I'm listening to Dean Martin's CD Amore.  I usually put on a CD in the morning that suits my husband's "mood" request!  Today he asked for "something upbeat!"  Later in the day I tend to put on whatever helps me think!  Other times I will seek out multiple renditions of a particular piece of piano repertoire  I've assigned a student, hoping to find examples I can share w/ them as good examples to emulate.  I almost never offer a student just one example:  I want them to be able to compare and contrast options, so that even if they are inordinately influenced by one in particular, they will have made some sort of choice, even if only that of preference.

When I was in college, my piano professor had all of his students keep a listening journal.  He actually read these journals and commented on them from time to time.  I've been encouraging a few of my students to do the same.  This blog is an experiment to see if I can foster more interest in writing about music if I invite my students to join me in a blogalogue (blog-dialogue)! :)