Snowstorm:a good reason to compose…or just enjoy solitude

Yes, a snowstorm has arrived here in the Northeast. I have to admit, except for the travel difficulties, I love a good snowstorm. There is an introspective quality about the quiet landing of snow on the ground. It seems to calm the soul and pave the way for thoughts that we often don’t have time to consider. I find this to be a perfect opportunity to compose, write poetry or even meditate. It’s as if the weather itself dictates that you must stay inside and become one with your thoughts. That said, I invite you to grab a cup of hot cocoa, watch the snow fall and listen….even if it’s only to the sound of silence ;)

Instant accessibility...Good or bad?

It would seem the ability to get in touch with each other any time, day or night, would be a good thing, right?  Instant accessibility…what could be better? How about the ability to have a conversation with someone for five minutes without constant interruption from a text alert or phone call? It seems that more and more people are quite content sitting next to each other while texting someone else….anything but face-to-face communication it would seem. As a result, it’s becoming increasing more difficult to have meaningful conversations as so many people are anxiously awaiting the next message, tweet or phone call (which, by the way, can almost always wait). Has a friend ever approached your for advice only to interrupt saying “hold on, I have a text” (or perhaps randomly check their phone while speaking with you)? Imagine that! …a  person asks YOU for help and then interrupts only to check a text (granted, sometimes we are waiting for a crucial call / message, but how often does that happen?).

As many are aware, this sort of behavior also carries into the music world. It’s becoming commonplace to attend concerts (and movies) only to see cell phones lighting up during performances (I’ve seen it many times at New York Philharmonic concerts – it’s quite disruptive).  To some, this may be an acceptable minor annoyance that comes with the advancement of technology; however, it’s possible that we may be sacrificing something along the way.  We may be missing out on the therapeutic and elevating experience that comes with all forms of art when we allow ourselves to become fully immersed in the subject at hand…..without interruption! Listening to an entire musical performance without checking for messages is almost unheard of these days. Music has the ability to elevate the soul and enrich one’s life…..but only if you let it! The concert experience is much like entering a temple with the sole intention of prayer – it’s a very sacred act that should not be disturbed. In the concert hall, the only requirement is that you listen. 

As an experiment, the next time you attend a concert, look to see how many people are listening vs. those who are texting or calling to convey what they are doing at that very moment. Regardless of your findings, I’d like to leave you with one parting thought:  Be in the moment! If you are enjoying something, allow yourself to continue enjoying it without interruption. You'll always have the opportunity to tell someone about it afterwards and actually have a more complete story to tell (or text, tweet, blog, etc.). And if you're speaking to a friend to give advice or listen to a story, give your full attention. That act, in and of itself, may be just the medicine they need!

Debut CD - From Here to There

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce the release of my debut CD - From Here to There. Works from this album span a variety of mediums including orchestral, film, choral, soloists and chamber ensembles. A whole host of well-known artists are featured including: Dan Willis, Jack Morer, Conrad Harris, Doug Oberhamer, David Nyberg, Laura Keopke, Dave Anthony and many others.

To order your CD or MP3, click here:https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tomnazziola

Have a great holiday!

Best,

Tom

Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra Concert 5/26/12

I had the good fortune to attend a recent concert this past Saturday by the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra under the direction of maestro Adam Glaser. It was truly a rewarding experience to see young musicians performing challenging music and conveying such musical maturity and artistry. This is in no small part due to the conducting skills of Adam Glaser. In a world where conductors sometimes get consumed by their own sense of gesture (more for the sake of theatrics than practicality), Mr. Glaser communicated the music to the orchestra in a most clear and artistic manner. One could hear the performers executing the very musical ideas, shapes and phrases emanating from the conductor's baton.  Indeed, the greatest challenge for any conductor is to impart a true sense of how the music is to be performed and expressed (in a way that makes it easy for the performer to both understand and translate for the listener).  Among the wonderful selections for the evening (Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde and Schumann's Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129), my favorite was Mussorgsky's renowned "Pictures at an Exhibition" (orchestrated / arranged by Maurice Ravel).

I believe this was the most challenging piece on the program...not only for the orchestra as a whole but for several of the soloists performing repeated themes at extreme dynamics and varying ranges. The principal trumpet received a work-out for the evening and held his own from the lyrical melodies of the "Promenade" to the majestic "Great Gate of Kiev." Horn players were also featured both as a section and as soloists.  Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this piece is to deliver with consistency.  After all, the audience has many opportunities to hear the same theme performed by various sections of the orchestra throughout the course of the piece. Therefore, it becomes clear what the themes are and how they should sound. Indeed, this puts the artist in the position of being "exposed", if you will, in his / her rendering of these beautifully recurring themes (not always in a friendly range or dynamic). That said, the performers held their own from the outstandingly consistent cymbal crashes (not an easy thing to so...ask any percussionist) to the frolicking oboe in the "ballet of the unhatched chickens". The brass section as a whole performed well-balanced chords with great majesty and conviction. Additionally, the strings imparted a sense of dreaminess from the ethereal muted passages to the haunting tremolo figures.

Again, kudos to you Maestro Glaser and to the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra for a wonderful evening of music-making.

Looking forward to the next one....

- Tom Nazziola
www.tomnazziola.com

Why we do what we do........

Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees.- Marcel Proust

Who is your audience?

It’s a basic but interesting question. I see this topic come up quite a bit with many composers. In college, students tend to gravitate towards composing for their immediate audience – teachers and other students. Sometimes it happens subconsciously in an effort to display “chops” or sophistication. It’s easy to get caught up in “what is hip”, cutting edge or even intellectually advanced. But these are all really distractions that move us away from the most basic reason for composing, which is self–expression. And if we are honest, we can admit that we really write for ourselves...or at least we should.

Several of the greatest living composers and performers agree with the notion that it is important to write for yourself. As my composition teacher back at Juilliard used to say, “If YOU don’t love it, who will?” Likewise, Pat Metheney referenced a similar idea in a recent AFM article in which he states that each artist needs to be his or her biggest fan. In other words, you’ve got to write music that you really love. Once you do that, others will connect with you and your music.

It’s also important to remember that your potential audience is actually everyone!…and if you compose from a genuine place (a sincere perspective), the listener will hear and know your voice. Not everyone has to like your music, however a good composition transcends personal preferences and can be appreciated by all. There is a collective feeling of quality that come across when an artist is true to his or her own instincts. In today’s environment there are so many areas to be concerned with in addition to your craft including: self - marketing / promotion, grants / commissions; learning to incorporate technology (an ever-changing medium) and a whole host of other elements. But, in the end, it doesn’t matter how long the list is. Everything begins and ends with communicating to others what it is you really want to say.  Compose in this manner, and you’ll always be heard…..sooner or later  :)

Heavy D.......Heavy in every way!

It was only a couple of months ago that I found out Heavy D passed away at the age of 44. I was truly saddened by this news as I've been a fan of his music since his arrival on the scene in the early 90's. There are so many positive things to say about Heavy D (aka Dwight Meyers), that it's hard to know where to begin. Well, here's a start......in the world of hip hop, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who could swing as hard as Heavy D. His rhythm and rhyming skills are unmatched. On top of that, he kept it clean with regard to language and had the respect of many notable artists in hip hop, R &B, pop, and film (Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Martin Lawrence, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige and many others). Just watching his videos was enough to convey the positive, feel-good energy that was a trademark of his sound.

I've always believed that hip-hop, at its best, represented the sequel to Be-bop in its swinging feel and social commentary. Be-bop was a social / musical reaction to the music happening at the time (swing) and was developed /  performed by predominantly black artists. I'm including a couple of links to his tunes that are sure to bring a smile. Thank God for artists like Heavy D......keeping it swinging and keeping it real!


Take Your Time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIzot8WVxj4

Is it Good to You:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RZUuw5m6UM