So while trying to research music blogs that I could analyze, I came across this one: Blog.

It’s a blog post about Trans Siberian’s Christmas Canon Rock, an amazing take on Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. Having heard this before (usually when my dad plays it around Christmas time), I listened to it again, in the middle of July, and I thought to myself: What a beautiful piece of music.

I have a recording of me and another person I know playing a duet of this song for a Talent Show. That might come soon, once I figure out how to insert videos. If all else fails, YouTube here I come.

Pachelbel’s Canon was originally written somewhere around 1680 – falling right in the Baroque period. Although this piece was written around 1680, it wasn’t discovered until around 1920 and even then, not recorded until around 1940.

Although this piece was written to be performed by a string quartet or quintet, it’s more than often performed on the piano.

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Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, opus 129
Intermission
Bloch: Schelomo, Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra
Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser

Siegfried Idyll was gorgeous. It was very delicate and peaceful. The Schumann Concerto was absolutely amazing. I listened to it before going online and hearing it live was so much better! The concerto consisted of three movements, including a cadenza at the end – a chance for the performer to shine. A cadenza is where the player of the concerto writes their own bit of the music, using the composer’s scales or whatever else the player wishes to use. Not necessarily improvisation, but the performer does compose that part of the concerto, unless there’s one already written that they choose to use.

My favorite thing about Yo-Yo Ma would have to be his expressions and behavior while performing. I noticed that during the concerto (and when I saw him in 2007 perform a Dvorák Cello Concerto), Ma will be performing, swaying back and forth, and when he finally ends a section or comes to a rest, he will watch the rest of the orchestra play, such as the first chair violinist or perhaps the other cellists. I think that’s what true musicianship is – being aware of not just what the you are playing, but what’s going on around you too.

Schelomo by Bloch also included Yo-Yo Ma. I read up on it a little bit, and it turns out it was composed near WWI or WWII. For a piece that is “modern,” or written in the 20th century, it was a very pretty piece. I’ve always enjoyed that type of music – it had a Russian sort of flavor, like Bartók would write.

The ending Wagner piece I enjoyed as well, although MereWisdom could probably rant and rave more about it than I. He calls it his “Funeral Music.”

Overall, the concert was absolutely fantastic, not to mention the dinner at Birra Poretti’s. The night was phenomenal, and I was really happy to spend time with my dad and go see Yo-Yo Ma perform. I would definitely recommend ANY Houston Symphony series to the music lover, for their music is truly professional and all-around great!

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Current band member cellists, Antero Manninen, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and along with the 2003 addition of drummer Mikko Siren are the new face for symphonic metal and cello rock.

Low staccato notes, beautiful melodic runs, as well as a wide range of notes from the bottom of the fingerboard to pulsing bass notes, Apocalyptica never ceases to amaze me. Their latest CD was released in 2007 and includes guests Adam Gontier, lead vocalist of Three Days Grace in “I Don’t Care”, which is my favorite song.

Although they’ve been around for a while, Apocalyptica is just now making their start in the U.S., being featured on Music Choice and MTV. Apocalyptica has amazing cello originals with some amazing guest vocalists such as Ville Valo of HIM and Lauri Ylönen of The Rasmus.

Apocalyptica is the best cello rock/symphonic metal band around and I strongly advise anyone who enjoys cello tributes or original string rock or metal songs to check them out.

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