André Gagnon – Impressions

 

André Gagnon OC OQ (2 August 1936 – 3 December 2020) was a Canadian pianist, composer, conductor, arranger, and actor, known for his fusion of classical and pop styles, including compositions Neiges, Smash, Chevauchée, Surprise, Donna, and Mouvements in the jazz, classical, new age and pop fields. Gagnon also composed for television, including La Souris Verte, Vivre en ce Pays, Format 60, Format 30,Techno-Flash, and Les Forges de Saint-Maurice as well as for theatre with such productions as La Poudre aux Yeux, Doña Rosita, Terre d'Aube, La Dame de Chez Maxim's, and Wouf-Wouf. Some of his most notable songs are "Pour les Amants", "Turluteries", and "Mes Quatre Saisons".

"Impressions", originally released in 1983, is an instrumental album combining elements of jazz, classical and new age.

Comme Au Premier Jour 3:50

Après La Pluie 4:17

Douce Amanda 3:08

Première Impressions 4:17

Un An Déjà 4:18

Déjà Septembre 5:21

Nouveau Départ 6:10

La Fin Du Jour 5:57

Dernier Rideau 1:42

Impressions

John Williams – El Diablo Suelto - Guitar Music Of Venezuela

 

1 Los Caujaritos 2:36

2 El Totumbo De Guarenas 1:37

3 Como Llora Una Estrella 3:58

4 Seis Por Derecho 3:19

5 No Me Olvides 3:09

6 Las Perdices 2:18

7 Alma Llanera 2:50

8 Salve 2:15

Five Pieces

9 Cántico 1:33

10 Cantemos, cantemos 1:21

11 Si De Noche Ves Que Brillan 1:32

12 Malhaya La Cocina 0:57

13 Ave María ¡Que Muchacho! 1:10

-

14 Quirpa Guatireña 1:56

15 Angostura 1:47

16 El Diablo Suelto 2:19

17 Virgilio 2:36

18 Pasaje "Aragueño" 1:50

19 Que No Te Quiera Más 2:25

20 Romanza 2:49

21 Priva Resuello 2:16

22 María Carolina 2:33

23 Vals Venezolano 3:22

24 Nelly 2:21

25 El Marabino 1:20

26 Preludio De Adiós 3:53

El Diablo Suelto

Ravi Shankar – The Rough Guide To Ravi Shankar

 

Ravi Shankar, KBE, born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury (7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian sitarist and composer. A sitar virtuoso, he became the world's best-known expert of North Indian classical music in the second half of the 20th century and influenced many musicians in India and throughout the world. Shankar was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999.

1 Kathakali Katthak 3:03

2 Transmigration 2:03

3 Misha Piloo 11:37

4 Dhun Man Pasand 11:47

5 Dhun In Devgiri Bilawal 7:41

6 Reflection 5:03

7 Raga Patdeep / Gat Sitarkhani Taal 4:42

8 Tabla Solo 5:24

9 Bilashkani Todi 19:53

The Rough Guide To Ravi Shankar

Pink Martini – A Retrospective

 

Pink Martini are a US band that was formed in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon. Group members call it a little orchestra that crosses several styles, such as classical, traditional pop, latin and jazz. The co-lead vocalists of Pink Martini are China Forbes and Storm Large.

1 Una Notte A Napoli (First Recording) 2:27

2 Hang On Little Tomato 3:18

3 ¿Donde Estas Yolanda? (China Forbes Vocals Version) 3:26

4 Hey Eugene 3:10

5 La Soledad 5:38

6 Splendor In The Grass 3:38

7 Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu (The Hiroshi Wada Mix) 4:32

8 Anna (El Negro Zumbon) 2:38

9 Ma Solitude 3:28

10 Mas Que Nada 2:36

11 Sympathique 2:48

12 Lilly 2:44

13 How Long Will It Last? 4:07

14 Tuca Tuca 2:50

15 Que Sera Sera 4:11

16 Moon River 1:25

17 Amado Mio 4:48

18 The Man With The Big Sombrero 1:33

19 Aspettami (First Recording) 2:51

20 Auld Lang Syne 3:21

21 Una Notte A Napoli (DJ Johnny Dynell Remix) 6:51

Pink Martini – A Retrospective

Helen Mountfort – Upside Down At The Bottom Of The World

Helen Mountfort is a cellist and composer who works in both the contemporary Classical and the popular music fields. She is a founding member of 'My Friend The Chocolate Cake' and has composed music for theatre, dance and film.

Upside Down At The Bottom Of The World - "The first seven tracks of this CD were commissioned by ABC Radio National to celebrate the Centenary of Federation. The last five tracks were written for a show called "The Enormous Club" by Melbourne theatre company, Born In A Taxi. The CD divides roughly into two halves. Tracks 1-6 include some more boisterous tunes, good for doing the housework to. If you want some late night chill out music, you might want to start at track 7 and play to the end."

1 In The Beginning 0:55

2 Music For Railroad Journeys 3:18

3 Tremble 4:05

4 D Song 2:47

5 Accordion Song 3:10

6 Contrapuntal Tune 1:55

7 Drift 3:14

8 Candle Dance 3:16

9 Angels 5:37

10 Prelude For Solo 'cello a la J.S. 5:50

11 Milonga 3:14

12 Alone 4:55

 Upside Down At The Bottom Of The World

Milica Ilic - Stir the Sky - classical/folk/world guitarist

 

Milica Davies (née Ilić, born 1981 in Bosnia and Herzegovina), is an Australian classical guitarist. She has released three albums, Rouge Guitar (2005), Stir the Sky (2007) and Evie's Song (2012). In 2002, she toured Australia and Asia backing José Carreras. As from 2004, Davies is based in London where she also teaches guitar.

Milica Davies took up classical guitar at seven years old and was 11 when the family relocated to Perth, Western Australia. Davies has toured in Australia, Asia and Europe, performing as a soloist, with orchestra and as an accompanist. She holds a First Class Honours degree in performance, from the University of Western Australia, Perth, where she studied with guitar teacher, John Casey. In 2002, she toured Australia and Asia backing José Carreras. In 2004 she was honoured with a Western Australian Citizen of the Year Award for her contribution to the state's Youth Arts. Davies' work - live and on record - has been played on the BBC, Classic FM (UK) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Milica released her debut album, Rouge Guitar, which had been recorded in Perth in March, 2004 with Paul Wright on violin. From 2006 she has periodically performed and toured with guitar duo, Desert Child, which are Guy Ghouse and Damian Watkiss. For her second album, Stir the Sky (May 2007), she used Wright with Ghouse on guitar, Watkiss on acoustic guitar and Jessica Ipkendanz on violin. She co-produced the album with Lee Bundle and issued it on Twilight Classics.

In 2004 Davies relocated to London where she performs and teaches guitar. During 2009 she toured Australia with Guitar Heaven Quartet, which comprise Ghouse, Watkiss and Simon Fox. Davies released her third album, Evie's Song in November 2012. Again, she worked with Ghouse, Ipkendanz, Watkiss and Wright. The album is dedicated to Davies' idol, Eva Cassidy. Her fourth album, Go South in the Winter, released in 2016, is in collaboration with the flamenco master Ramon Ruiz.

Stir the Sky

Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble – Silk Road Journeys

 

One of Yo-Yo Ma's most ambitious adventures, the Silk Road Project, explores the cultures that flourished along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that for centuries connected Europe and the East. Founded by Ma in 1998, the project aims to create connections, mutual trust, and cultural interchange between people from different parts of the world through their only shared language: music.

This recording includes music from Mongolia, China, Persia, Japan, Iran, Azerbaijan, and an improvisation on an Italian Renaissance street song, performed by musicians from all those countries, as well as America, on both Eastern and Western instruments. Ma, who participates in every piece either as soloist or part of the ensemble, plays cello and a Mongolian "horse-head fiddle." There is also a Mongolian soprano, who sings a traditional song native to her region. For the uninitiated Western listener, the music requires some getting used to. Much of it is based on rhythmic ostinatos. 

The melodies use Oriental scales; the intonation is untempered; the music seems all color, texture, and atmosphere, without what might be called themes; and repetition takes the place of development. Contrast is achieved through sudden change, buildup by adding instruments. However, the music is often beautiful, delicate, dreamy, or peaceful; every listener will find his or her own favorite pieces. The playing is splendid, with much inventive improvisation. Inevitably, Ma's tone and personality stand out, but he never dominates in fact or spirit.  --Edith Eisler (Amazon review)

1        Mongolian Traditional Long Song 1:28
2        Legend Of Herlen 11:17
3        Blue Little Flower (Chinese Traditional) 4:22
4        Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional) 3:51
5        Moon Over Guan Mountains 11:48
6        Five Finnish Folksongs (No. 3 Miero Vuotti Uutta Kuuta) 1:58
7        Five Finnish Folksongs (No. 5 Joiku) 2:26
8        Avaz-E Dashti (Persian Traditional)    6:01
9        Habil-Sayagy (In Habil's Style) 13:23
10        Blue As The Turquoise Night Of Neyshabur 15:33
11        Chi Passa Per'sta Strada 4:43
        Bonus Track   
12        Desert Capriccio 1:35

 Silk Road Journeys

Chill Out...music to relax to....various artists

 

Tracklist
1-1    Mike Oldfield–    Tubular Bells
1-2    Enigma–    Sadness
1-3    Robert Miles–    Children
1-4    Deep Forest–    Deep Forest
1-5    Elton John–    Song For Guy
1-6    Francis Lai–    Theme From "Bilitis"
1-7    Michael Nyman–    The Heart Asks Pleasure First
1-8    Julee Cruise–    Falling
1-9    David Foster–    Love Theme From St.Elmo's Fire
1-10    The Vienna Orchestra–    Bolero
1-11    The Vienna Orchestra–    Pachelbel's Cannon
1-12    John Williams –    Cavatina
1-13    Enrico–    Moments In Love
1-14    Santana–    Flord'luna
1-15    Ennio Morricone–    Theme From "The Mission"
1-16    Us3–    Cantaloop

2-1    David A. Stewart With Candy Dulfer–    Lily Was Here
2-2    Mike Oldfield–    Moonlight Shadow
2-3    Jeff Wayne–    The Eve Of The War
2-4    Clannad–    Theme From Harry's Game
2-5    Love Unlimited Orchestra–    Love's Theme
2-6    The Allman Brothers Band–    Jessica
2-7    Francis Lai–    Theme From "Love Story
2-8    Alessandra Ruffini–    The Flower Duet From Lakme
2-9    Praise–    Only You
2-10    L.S.O.–    Life On Mars
2-11    Fleetwood Mac–    Albatross
2-12    L.S.O.–    Space Oddity
2-13    The Hollywood Orchestra–    Theme From "Local Hero"
2-14    Eumir Deodato–    Also Sprach Zarathustra
2-15    Sky –    Toccata 

Chill Out...one...two

OperaBabes...Beyond Imagination....classical meets popular with stunning vocals

 

OperaBabes are an English crossover classical music duo, consisting of Karen England (born 1974), mezzo-soprano, and Rebecca Knight (born 1970), soprano.

The duo came to wide attention when they sang "Un bel dì vedremo" (from the opera Madame Butterfly) on television sports programs, beginning in 2002. In addition to performing with major orchestras in Britain and touring with their own shows, they released their first album, Beyond Imagination in 2002 and their second album, Renaissance, in 2006. In 2012, the group released its third album, Silent Noon, named after the song by Ralph Vaughan Williams, on the Warner Classics label. The album consists of British songs, from Handel and Purcell, to Quilter, to Britten and Novello, accompanied by piano.

Beyond Imagination ranked No.1 on the UK Classical Chart for eleven weeks, and No. 4 on the US Billboard Classical Crossover Albums chart. In addition to the "One Fine Day" track being selected as the World Cup 2002 theme by ITV, British Airways chose another of the tracks, "Lakme H2O", a "stylish re-imagining of the Flower Duet from Lakmé", for a commercial. One reviewer wrote: "If you're a young individual with a remote interest in the classical genre, this disc is the perfect introduction". The album has sold over 1.7 million copies. 

 OperaBabes

alt link 

 https://youtu.be/3m-jjdLFLLA

Andrei Poliakov : telling a story without words...new release "Moonlight and Sunshine"

 

https://youtu.be/7QPxT95IIzE

Andrei Poliakov is a professional musician, composer and producer, who received a fundamental classical music education as a pianist and an oboist in Russia, continued with the professional musical career performing with world renowned orchestras, later diversifying his musical taste and capacity into jazz, rock, and pop genres, performing and recording with various bands and solo. 

The foundation of Andrei’s works is a well educated classical, romantic soundscape, but as soon as the music begins, it starts looking for cross over opportunities to develop into an exciting house party, jazz, pop, or electronic music, all these easily transforming to warm classical follow ups hence the eclectic style which helps Andrei tell better stories without words.

Andrei treats a musical genre as an additional color for the compositions, like seasoning in food; these colors help him get across the emotions and tell the stories to the listener with better precision and stronger impact: “I do not feel bound by a genre or a style, and instead I use and abuse the variety of styles to paint a deeper and more colorful, meaningful musical picture. Nevertheless, the Piano is always staying as a centerpiece of my compositions as I believe the richness and diversity of sounds of the “king of music” easily trumps any
other instrument I know”. 

The “Moonlight & Sunshine” album has an uncommon approach for the neo-classics genre: every next release features 2 different versions of one motive, coming to life as a piano solo piece, interpreting a narrative in the moonlight, and as a fully arranged piece, revealing the same story under the sunshine. 

 listen to "Moonlight & Sunshine" HERE 

www.funkypianoplay.com 

www.facebook.com/funkypianoplay 

Penguin Cafe Orchestra....Broadcasting From Home

 

 

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) was an avant-pop band led by English guitarist Simon Jeffes. Co-founded with cellist Helen Liebmann, it toured extensively during the 1980s and 1990s. The band's sound is not easily categorized, having elements of exuberant folk music and a minimalist aesthetic occasionally reminiscent of composers such as Philip Glass.

The group recorded and performed for 24 years until Jeffes died of an inoperable brain tumour in 1997. Several members of the original group reunited for three concerts in 2007. Since then, five original members have continued to play concerts of PCO's music, initially as The Anteaters, then as The Orchestra That Fell to Earth. In 2009, Jeffes' son Arthur founded a successor band simply called Penguin Cafe. 

Broadcasting From Home was released in 1984 and includes their most popular song "Music From A Found Harmonium".

 Broadcasting From Home

alt link 

 

Christmas Around the World - A Collection of Christmas Music and Carols

 

 Tracklist
1     –Traditional     Quelle Est Cette Agreable (French)    
2     –Traditional     Suo-Gan (Welsh)    
3     –Traditional     Still, Still, Still (German)    
4     –Pietro Yon*     Gesu Bambino (Italian)    
5     –William G. James     The Silver Stars Are In The Sky (Australian)    
6     –Anatoly Liadov     Christmas Song (Russian)    
7     –Traditional     Bred Dina Vida Vingar (Swedish)    
8     –Joachim August Zarnack     O Tannenbaum (German)    
9     –Ariel Ramirez     El Nacimiento (Argentinian)    
10     –Traditional     Rorate (Scottish)    
11     –Adolphe C. Adam     Cantique de Noel (French)    
12     –Traditional     Nu zijt wellekome (Dutch)    
13     –Traditional     Sweet Little Jesus Boy (American)    
14     –Traditional     The Wexford Carol (Irish)    
15     –Larry Sitsky     Sonatinetto on Russian Christmas Carols (Russian)    
16     –Traditional     Marche de Rois : Ce Matin (French)    
17     –Traditional     Buenos Reyes (Spanish)    
18     –Traditional     Noels roumains (Romanian) (traditional)    
19     –Peter Cornelius      The Three Kings (German)    
20     –Henry John Gauntlett*     Once in Royal David's City (English)    
21     –William G. James     Country Carol (Australian)    

 Christmas Around the World

Ravi Shankar ‎– Bridges - The Best Of Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar KBE, born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury,(7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012), whose name is often preceded by the title Pandit (Master) and "Sitar maestro", was an Indian musician and a composer of Hindustani classical music. He was the best-known proponent of the sitar in the second half of the 20th century and influenced many other musicians throughout the world. Shankar was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999.

Shankar was born to a Bengali Brahmin family in India, and spent his youth as a dancer touring India and Europe with the dance group of his brother Uday Shankar. He gave up dancing in 1938 to study sitar playing under court musician Allauddin Khan. After finishing his studies in 1944, Shankar worked as a composer, creating the music for the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, and was music director of All India Radio, New Delhi, from 1949 to 1956.

In 1956, Shankar began to tour Europe and the Americas playing Indian classical music and increased its popularity there in the 1960s through teaching, performance, and his association with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Beatles guitarist George Harrison. His influence on the latter helped popularize the use of Indian instruments in pop music in the latter half of the 1960s. Shankar engaged Western music by writing compositions for sitar and orchestra, and toured the world in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1986 to 1992, he served as a nominated member of Rajya Sabha, the upper chamber of the Parliament of India. He continued to perform until the end of his life. 

Ravi Shankar ‎– Bridges - The Best Of Ravi Shankar
Released: 2001
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Hindustani

Tracklist:
1     Sandhya Raga     11:22
2     Chase     2:18
3     West Eats Meat     6:08
4     Ragas In Minor Scale     7:32
5     Tarana     5:37
6     Tana Mana     3:38
7     Sadhanipa     8:31
8     Friar Park     5:54
9     Reunion     4:15
10   Prashanti     13:37
11   Shanti-Mantra     6:49

Bridges

alt link

 

 

https://youtu.be/lk60ObnbIOk