The Study Music Collection: Fennesz + Sakamoto

Okay so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. By short I mean sometimes I'll just literally have a sentence or two. Yeah, I can be lazy like that. For the next month. I'm going to do this thing called, the study music collection, where I will post youtube videos that are album lengths long. Often, they will be what I think, (mind the 'I' please) is good for studying. This will probably go on until exams are over, which is in June. So if one day I decide that Metallica's Master of Puppets album is a great study music, then for those who don't agree with that, tough luck. 

So first up is Fennesz + Sakamoto. We've already had Mr. Sakamoto's music up here. He seems to have done a lot of collaborations with other artists, so he'll be coming back from time to time. Fennesz is an Austrian guitarist who does a lot of electronic music. What happens when you combine the two? See for yourself. Or I mean, hear for yourself.

Lisztomania, I'm feeling it: Presenting Franz Liszt

Okay, I know. Franz Liszt has been dead for more than a hundred years. Then again, if you don't like it get your own damn jukebox. Don't you try to change the channel on my private property.

Anyways, Lisztomania, defined by the wise god of wikipedia, was 'the intense fan frenzy directed toward Franz Liszt during his performances', characterized by 'intense levels of hysteria demonstrated by fans, akin to the treatment of celebrity musicians today, but in a time not known for such musical hysterics'. Quoting is a great way to feed laziness by the way. 

So yes, I'm feeling Lisztomania, because you have no idea how brilliant this guy was. The technique his pieces displayed, the sheer skill level he presented on his compositions. 

This one is quite famous: La Campanella. 

Yes, I'm already throwing my panties at the stage right now. Just awe-inspiring. I do say I play the piano, but this is a level that I haven't ascended to yet. I mean, this puts pretty much everyone who came before him to shame, save for Ravel or something. Even Beethoven's pieces (mind you he is my favourite) pale in the face of such wondrous technical brilliance. 

Just listen to this one. 

Gosh! My piano playing was for nothing! It was all for nothing! Why was I even taught how to play it if I was only going to feel shame in the face of these awesome pieces? Why! Why!  

Not only is Krystian Zimerman a bulldozer of a pianist, but here he is just a shining beacon. 

Okay, but let's turn the heat down a bit this one. I think my Lisztomania is actually making me maniacal. 

In any case, Franz Liszt was a genius. A Hungarian pianist from the 19th century, he was known as the most technically advanced pianist of his age, so no wonder he was able to produce such virtuosic gems such as the ones I've presented here. I know. It's a bit strange, not really in the realm of anything conventional but hey, this blog is anything but conventional. So take it or leave it. I mean, you should know Liszt, since they even made a song about Lisztomania. So this was a educational experience for you all then. Thank me later. 

This was the Dreaming Jukebox, and I'll be constantly throwing rainbow in your face. 

Good Things Come in Threes (Presenting Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio)

That statement right there was for my crew in London right now. You know who you are. Us three musketeers, although I going to presume only 'one' (only you will get it, 'one') of you read this blog so please let the other person know.

In other news, the Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio comes in threes. I mean, it's in the damn name so if you could not guess that go cry in the corner. Kidding. I would never want to put anybody in the corner. I've been to the corner and trust me, it's not a pretty place. 

Back to what I was saying, to introduce, Jacques and Paula Morelenbaum are a Brazilian husband and wife duo. Jacques does many things like composing and producing, but in this context he is the cellist. Paula is the singer. Ryuichi Sakamoto is a Japanese pianist (Yes, I admit it, I have a weird musical fetish with Japanese musicians! Now please! Stop pointing fingers at me!) who is quite known around the world for his solo work, including composition and production as well, just like Jacques. All three of them are very accomplished professional artists. So this is quite the combo here. A dangerously fabulous chemical mix of three great musicians. The genre is like, jazz/contemporary classical. Anyways I'm wasting words. Music on please! 

So great. Paula's voice is perfect for the ambiance set by the music. Kind of makes me sit back and really enjoy this spaghetti I'm eating. I've been eating spaghetti for the past week. Why? Well these damn jars of sauce were on sale, and so were these spaghettis, so I bought a whole bundle. That's what you do when you're a student, and well goddamn I'm ready to try anything if something will make this spaghetti taste better. Fortunately I think the music is helping. 

If there was a purest form of mood, like, good mood, then this would be it. I don't even, let me just quietly eat my dinner in peace. Please. I just want to listen. I'm new to this as much as you are. 

Why is Paula's voice so perfect? Why is everything about this so refined, and just, pure beauty? Why? Why? WHYYYYYYYYYYY

Too bad though, the last time these guys released an album as an ensemble was 2003. So I'm going to assume that they don't tour anymore. I'd like to buy the album though, because this is just one of those rare bands that you need to have a physical copy of. 

Lastly, a shout out to my friend Kotaro, once again, whose deep taste in music has brought the sincerest pleasure of discovering this wonderful band. Yo KoKo, I know you're reading this. Arigato, and may you do whatever you dream to do. This is the dreaming jukebox after all. 

Study Music Time: (Presenting Ludovico Einaudi)

No, actually not study music. More like drinking tea while scrolling down Facebook casually looking at other people's gorgeous lives while crying about mine music.

Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian pianist and composer who writes often for films. I first encountered his music on Les Intouchables, that beautiful movie. Check it out if you have time. Frankly I need to get some work done so I'm going to keep this short. Very short.

First off, Primavera:

Film scores are often my significant personal pleasures. Watch me as I put the Dark Knight and Man of Steel soundtracks here. I might as well, since the most listened to album on my smartphone is indeed: the Man of Steel OST, and the Halo OST. I'm not even kidding.

Kettle's boiling and I need some more tea. Let me occupy you with some more music. Here you go.

That was the music from Intouchables. Incredibly soothing isn't it? By the way for those of you who are wondering, yes I did go to get tea. What do you think I am, a liar? Do you think the internet is a place for lying? Do you? DO YOU?

Of course you don't. That's why you're here to listen to some music put up by a pompous showoff who thinks he can totally pull off an cravat.

But let me not do Mr. Einaudi further injustice.

Here is Oltremare

Why do these videos keep on showing landscape photos? Are they trying to do something zen-ish where you are supposed to relax looking at bundles of leaves on sticks while you listen to soothing music.

Anyways, let me not make this blog a garbage can of my thoughts (actually it is if you haven't noticed).

Mr. Einaudi's music does have that film score feeling to it, but it can certainly stand alone very well in my opinion. Not just as a background music but also a performance music. It's superb. Contemporary piano music just do not get the recognition it deserves in my opinion.

Anyways I am going to sign off by leaving you this other one from Les Intouchables. Beautiful piece once again. My name is Alex and you have been the most patient audience tonight. Ciao.