Composer Esa-Pekka Salonen

Available From Amazon HERE

Available from Amazon HERE
These are the two most recent releases by renowned Finnish conducter Esa-Pekka Salonen of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This releases are modern classical music but its far from the atonal and repetitive compositions ala Steve Reich and others who explore sound in looping mechanical mathematical ways. This is not to say that it doesn't have it's challenges, but there is so much meat here that you are given reason to want to explore and hear the various layers of sounds and instrumentation.

There are vocals here, but they are used as another instrument. I think the fact that some of them are actual words is not the point, I think the use here is strictly as another sound. LA Variations features Dawn Upshaw and Wing on Wing features Anu and Piia Komsi. It remains rooted in symphonic music, but it also has a bit of avant-garde and it has the sweep of orchestral soundtrack. So I don't think it would be worth picking apart except to say that there is a lot of meat here. It's also not studious in the way that say John Adams or Kronos Quartet might be. It more passionate and fluid than that.

Usually, in classical music, I prefer chamber music or I prefer vocal or operatic music and I will shy away from new classical music for the very reason that it comes off as somewhat clinical and even pretentious. This is not that and for those looking for something new with a bit of a challenge and a bit of a swing, I would say look here. From these works, I did explore off to Steven Reich's Different Trains and Electric Counterpoint, Brian Eno's Music For Airports and John Adam's On The Transmigration of Souls. Glad I did... some good stuff to explore.

I like Wing On Wing slightly better than LA Variations, but I would still highly recommend both.

I rate them 4.5 out 5. For taking a chance.

One - Neal Morse (CD)

Available at Amazon.com HERE
This is a slightly older release by Christian artist Neal Morse. Neal was formerly with neo-progressive rock group Spock's Beard and the supergroup Transatlantic. As the singer and predominant writer of those groups, he restarted a genre of music made most popular in the seventies by bands like Yes, Genesis and ELP. Fortunately, he also greatly influenced by the pop sensibility of The Beatles and thus his music is a little more modern, a little fresher and definitely more light hearted than some of the old school dinosaur bands of time's gone past.

Neal writes big sweeping epics that are really suites of songs linked together to make great epic songs, many lasting 20 minutes or more. He uses that elongated style to create thematic albums that are often singular concepts that run through the whole album. This particular CD is about the creation of man by God, man's fall from grace and his reunification with God. In one track you can expect to hear not only great musicianship in typical rock music formats, but he veers into jazz, acoustic, latin and symphonic music. He improvs particularly well at the piano and at the acoustic guitar. His voice is passionate and unique though he does tend to wear his love for John Lennon right out on his sleeve sometimes. The music here is not an immediate post grunge blast of 3 minute pop. It's thoughtful, spiritual and considerably rockin' music that may take several spins to really find everything that he's doing in each song.

There are some great musicians on this album aside from Neal who can play nearly every instrument. There is also Phil Keaggy, renowned Christian singer, songwriter and guitarist. On drums is percussion powerhouse Mike Portnoy of the mighty mighty Dream Theater and a host of other metal and progressive rock acts. On bass is Randy George of the Christian progressive rock band Ajalon who is a fine guitarist and singer as well as bassist. With such a line up, even if you weren't a big Christian fan, you know the music is going to be top notch.

The Creation opens the disc with a long suite of music about God and Adam and Eve in the garden. The end where God searches for the hiding shamed pair is extremely powerful and along the way you twist and turn through an incredible variety of music. From there you work your way through to the final epic tracks where there is reunion between man and God. At eighty minutes across several tracks, you know you are getting your money's worth on music.

The special edition, if you can track it down on e-bay or amazon, has the rest of the tracks that couldn't fit including one stand out track that should have been front and center on the main disc, King Jesus which just a real celebration.

This disc is for fans of classic rock styles, but with an updated modern sound by some amazing players. It rewards the listener with great music and with a good sound spiritual message that is never cloying or superficial - it's passionate and he means it. Well worth a look, and if you like that one, Neal's previous release Testimony might even be better.

I give this one a definite 4 out of 5 stars for solid musicianship and a positive message in a fresh old school rock style.

- Eddie

Florida Orchestra featuring Pinchas Zukerman

Program:
ELGAR: Serenade for Strings
MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 3
SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 5


Previously this month I was lucky enough to win tickets to see the Florida Orchestra featuring Pinchas Zukerman from the local NPR station here in Tampa. James and I went and over all it was a decent concert.

The tickets ended up being 5th row center, which is not bad but for orchestral music it would have probably been better to sit a little further back. We did luck out that there was no one sitting directly in front of us.

The concert started out with Elgar's Serenade for Strings. Elgar is the most contemporary of the composers featured, and it definitely is apparent in his works. Most people would know Elgar as the composer of the six Pomp and Circumstance marches. (Think graduation song) This serenade is quite a bit different from that. It is a very relaxing piece of music, which makes it easy to listen to. This is an excellent choice for performing for an audience that may not be hard core classical music fans.

The second piece is the one that really showcased Maestro Zukerman's talent. The other two he conducted, but this one he actually played the violin. Pichas Zukerman is one of the top violinists in the World. Zukerman has recorded over 100 works and has been nominated for 21 Grammy Awards, winning two, most notably with Itzhak Perlman playing Music for Two Violins. Being able to hear some one of his caliber play in person was a privilege. This concerto is played with limited winds, and is beautiful to behold. It is three movements long and holds the same theme throughout. Again, like the Elgar it is a "happy" piece of music that could be enjoyed by anyone.

After a brief intermission, the final piece began. The instrumentation is light for Schubert's 5th Symphony as clarinets, trumpets and timpani are not called for. This was by far the "meatest" piece of music the entire night. It does not always follow the traditional form of a symphony, which keeps the more attentive classical music listener guessing. In the interest of avoiding too much music theory, there are many things in this piece that are very much known to be associated with "Schubert." This one is a little more elaborate and therefore a little harder for the casual listener to enjoy, but over all a nice piece of music.

As far as the performance was concerned, it was what is to be expected of a small, local orchestra. They were decent, but not any stand outs. Only once did I hear a mistake made, of course by a French Horn player, but it was quick and not too many people seemed to notice.

Overall I would give this concert 4 out of 5 stars.