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Vegetable Orchestra!

Cariwyl Hebert — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:35:19 +0000

Yes, it’s true. This group of musicians made instruments out of fresh vegetables! So awesome.

NY Phil’s Le Grand Macabre by Ligeti

Cariwyl Hebert — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:28:34 +0000

The New York Philharmonic recently presented an innovative production of Ligeti‘s Le Grand Macabre. To accompany this brilliant show, the NY Phil’s marketing department put together a series of behind-the-scenes flip cam videos. So many times we wonder what it takes to put together the wonderful concerts we attend, and thankfully, the New York Phil has given us a backstage pass via YouTube.

They say the show will be back in 2012, and I can’t wait to see it.

Here are a few highlights from the flip cam series, along with a couple videos from the Alan Gilbert + Death set.

Alan Gilbert and Death play Guitar Hero. Hilarious!

Maybe they’ll create another riot?

Set and prop building — very entertaining!

So…what is this show about?

Music Director Alan Gilbert speaks on what it’s like to rehearse “Le Grand Macabre.”

Venus on stilts:

…and where does all that great choreography come from?

Being a percussionist is serious fun.

Classical Continues to Find Innovative Ways to Use YouTube

Cariwyl Hebert — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:40:43 +0000

Late last week a member of the Salon97 community sent me a link to:

http://wwww.inbflat.net/

This site is so cool that I wish I could embed the whole thing into this post. Basically, it’s a page constructed of several YouTube videos. Each is a video of someone playing a tune in B flat. They all go together, and you’re at liberty to create your own “In B Flat” masterpiece by playing different videos in tandem. Check it out!

The site doesn’t indicate this, but I have to wonder if “In B Flat” was inspired by Terry Riley‘s In C.

I’m really loving all the innovation we’re seeing in classical music these days. A YouTube Symphony, a YouTube Chorus, a cell phone symphony and so much more. What’s next? I can’t wait to find out.

YouTube Choir

Cariwyl Hebert — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:54:48 +0000

I found an amazing video on Mashable yesterday. American composer Eric Whitacre spliced 250 videos together to create a virtual choir. Below is the YouTube video performance of his work, Lux Aurumque. Breathtaking.

Feed your composer curiosity

Cariwyl Hebert — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:35:07 +0000

There’s a lot to know when it comes to classical music. To help feed your curiosity between Salon97 events, there’s a great database by the San Francisco Classical Voice folks that you should check out. Each composer entry is concise, entertaining, and you’re sure to gain a few new brain wrinkles.

Definitely something to whet your palate as we get closer to the February 7 Winter Listening Party!

A fantastic classical music radio station

Cariwyl Hebert — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:54:30 +0000

Sometimes we need to branch out from our CD or MP3 collections. In moments like these, a solid radio station is key. One of my favorites is Capital Public Radio, a public station based in Sacramento. It’s great mix of mainstream and obscure classical works. Check it out!

Cellphone symphony…

Cariwyl Hebert — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:03:14 +0000

So check out this dude rocking the cellphones. WOMP.

Who needs the escalator when you could walk up piano stairs?

Cariwyl Hebert — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:11:39 +0000

Piano Stairs