Category Archives: music

Daniel Barenboim, Mozart Piano Sonata No. 7, K 309

1st movement: Allegro con spirito | 2nd: Andante un poco Adagio | 3rd: Rondo allegretto grazioso Not much to say – this and Piano Sonata No. 11 have been recent addictions of mine. Barenboim’s dynamics are clearer in this recording than in No. 11, and that matters quite a bit in the second movement especially, …

August 30, 2010 – 4:40 pm | By ashok | Posted in music | Comments (1)

Martha Argerich, Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 101

Martha Argerich, Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 101: First Movement | Second | Third | Fourth The volume has to be increased considerably to hear everything going on in these recordings. Argerich gets very quiet numerous times, especially when playing a phrase that repeats and needs to be made distinct dynamically. I confess that this is …

August 21, 2010 – 12:31 am | By ashok | Posted in music | Comments (0)

Miley Cyrus, “Can’t be Tamed”

Lyrics, Song I’ve been watching VH1 and MTV mainly to have music videos in the background on when I work – I’m up really late or sometimes really early, it depends. Every time this song comes on, I’m about to mute it, except that I’ll hear something that just sounds like it makes absolutely no …

May 27, 2010 – 3:32 pm | By ashok | Posted in music | Comments (6)

The Passion of Politics: “Pamphleteer,” The Weakerthans

Pamphleteer (from theweakerthans.org; song available here) The Weakerthans I’m standing on this corner can’t get their attention facing rush hour faces turned around. I clutch my stack of paper, press one to a chest, then watch it swoop and stutter to the ground. I’m weary with right-angles, abbreviated daylight, waiting for a winter to be …

May 25, 2010 – 1:18 am | By ashok | Posted in music, weakerthans | Comments (0)

We give a lot. But giving well might be a lost art.

I just read in the New York Times about a pianist who received a most unusual award (the excerpts on the site are amazing, particularly the Bach): The award, which will officially be announced on Thursday morning, is music’s answer to the MacArthur Foundation “genius” grants. And it is something of an anti-Van Cliburn Competition, …

January 8, 2010 – 2:58 am | By ashok | Posted in music, politics | Comments (2)

All Things Martha

Martha Argerich is an amazing piano virtuoso – you can read her biography at last.fm for some basic details. Her debut recital, performed at age 24 (!) in 1960 includes a performance of Chopin’s Scherzo No. 3 that is legendary. I bought the Deutsche Grammophon CD of that recital a day or two ago and …

November 21, 2009 – 3:34 pm | By ashok | Posted in music | Comments (1)

The Weakerthans, “Utilities”

Utilities (lyrics from songmeanings.net & theweakerthans.org, song (acoustic) available here) The Weakerthans Got this feeling That today doesn’t like me Or the air tastes like Flowers and paint There’s a sink full Of bottles and cutlery And the car Has got a list of complaints I just wish I Were a toothbrush Or a solder …

November 17, 2009 – 1:55 am | By ashok | Posted in music, weakerthans | Comments (2)

The Roots, “False Media”

False Media (lyrics from songmeanings.net; song available here) The Roots America’s lost somewhere inside of Littleton Eleven million children are on Ritalin That’s why I don’t rhyme for the sake of riddlin’ False media: we don’t need it, do we? Pilgrims slaves Indian Mexican It looks real fucked-up for your next of kin That’s why …

November 4, 2009 – 12:14 am | By ashok | Posted in music | Comments (2)

Love and Truth in a Material World: The Weakerthans, “None of the Above”

None of the Above (lyrics from theweakerthans.org / song available here) The Weakerthans All night restaurant, North Kildonan. Luke warm coffee tastes like soap. I trace your outline in spilled sugar, killing time and killing hope. This brand new strip mall chews on farmland as we fish for someone to blame. But we communicate in …

May 15, 2009 – 6:07 pm | By ashok | Posted in music, weakerthans | Comments (4)

Collegium Cantorum of the University of Dallas sings “Sicut Cervus” by Palestrina

Some of you are curious how the choir I’m a part of sounds, and I know I’ve told a few of you to go over to Facebook, look up the “Collegium Cantorum of the University of Dallas” group, and check out the videos. There’s quite a few unofficial “recordings” (you couldn’t possibly use these on …

January 21, 2009 – 1:54 am | By ashok | Posted in music, personal | Comments (5)