Music Speaks

Hunter talks with Australian Song-Writer/Producer/Composer Cassidy Watts.

Check out now! 

We broke down Igor Stravinsky's Soldier Tale with four-time guest and DMA clarinetist Valerie Nuzzolo.

According to the LA Phil website, 

"Toward the end of World War I, Stravinsky was facing the harsh realities of economic deprivation: payments from his German publishers were being held back, and the Russian Revolution had cut off his income from the family estate. Sensing disaster, Stravinsky, ever a pragmatist, formulated with his friends, writer C.F. Ramuz and conductor Ernest Ansermet, a plan to get himself out of this vexing situation.

As he explained it: “Ramuz and I got hold of the idea of creating a sort of little traveling theater, easy to transport from place to place and to show in even small localities.” Thus out of necessity came the chamber-sized neo-classic orchestra. As for their first project, Stravinsky recalled, “We were particularly drawn to the cycle of legends dealing with the adventures of the soldier who deserted, and the Devil who inexorably comes to carry off his soul.” Armed with the fool-proof dramatic stuff of the Faust story, the two created The Soldier’s Tale, “to be read (Narrator, Soldier, Devil), played, and danced (Princess).”

We discuss Bach's chamber work Brandenburg Concerto No. 1

According to Wikipedia:

Bach's reference to his scoring the concertos for "several instruments" (Concerts avec plusieurs instruments) is an understatement. Bach used the "widest spectrum of orchestral instruments … in daring combinations," as Christoph Wolff has commented. "Every one of the six concertos set a precedent in scoring, and everyone was to remain without parallel." Heinrich Besseler has noted that the overall forces required (leaving aside the first concerto, which was rewritten for a special occasion) tallies exactly with the 17 players Bach had at his disposal in Köthen.

Shaun and Hunter sit down to discuss Bach's Magnificat.

According to Wikipedia:

"Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat, BWV 243, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle Magnificat. It is scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass), and a Baroque orchestra including trumpets and timpani. It is the first major liturgical composition on a Latin text by Bach.

In 1723, after taking up his post as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, Bach set the text of the Magnificat in a twelve movement composition in the key of E-flat major. For a performance at Christmas he inserted four hymns (laudes) related to that feast. This version, including the Christmas interpolations, was given the number 243.1 (previously 243a) in the catalogue of Bach's works.[1]

Likely for the feast of Visitation of 1733, or another feast in or around that year, Bach produced a new version of his Latin Magnificat, without the Christmas hymns: instrumentation of some movements was altered or expanded, and the key changed from E-flat major to D major, for performance reasons of the trumpet parts. This version of Bach's Magnificat is known as BWV 243.2 (previously BWV 243).[2]

After publication of both versions in the 19th century, the second became the standard for performance. It is one of Bach's most popular vocal works."

Shaun and Hunter sit down to talk about psychological interests in the artist Sphie's life and how it has impacted her day-to-day life. 

We also discuss the songs on her album, Home, which debuted last year.

Sphie is a singer, songwriter, music producer and visionary. She is motivated by a deep compassion for all humanity. She invests her time in empowering the world through music, movement, mindfulness, love and peace. She intertwines an eclectic blend of soul, indie and pop mixed with operatic undertones. Inspired to find a deep understanding of connection in life, she went on a quest to discover her true voice. During this period she immersed in studying opera, musical theater and classical piano. In college, she continued studies in Vocal Performance and Music Business.

Shaun and Hunter sit down to talk to a Hip-Hop artist from Virginia Beach, Brandon Law.

In his bio he writes, "My name is Brandon Law, I aspire to be great, but I know I can't get there by myself, I need a team, I need the listeners.  I appreciate every last one of the people who listen to my music because I know they don't have to, they make the choice, just like I choose to be honest with and in my music."

Hunter sits down to interview Shaun about Leonard Bernstein's musical, "Wonderful Town."

SYNOPSIS via Playbill: "Ruth, an aspiring writer, and Eileen, her prettier, aspiring-actress younger sister, arrive in New York from Ohio in the 1930s and find frustration, career hopes and romance in the city of their dreams."

Check it out!

We sat down with composer, arranger, podcaster, author and first-responder Joseph Melvin to talk about his inspirations, compositions, and writing work. 

Follow him @thejdmelvin

We sat down with Annie Stachura to talk about her experiences with theater and overcome her stage fright as an actor.

Annie Stachura is currently a research analyst at Ipsos and an aspiring writer and is excited to be alive and explore various creative outlets. She is also the co-host of the infamous Absolutely Starving Podcast.

Please check it out!

(This following podcast contains material that we do not own or seize ownership of).

We sat down with Marymount Manhattan graduate, theater lover, and healthcare worker John Ammatuna to talk about his theater preferences and some singers that really made an impact on him. 

To hear his choices: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2FMfXyrq0mCp7JSJDn0JF2?si=7da631c8d332438b