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. 

Sometimes Digging Through Youtube Gets Tiring (Presenting Eddie Higgins Trio)

So that's why I take recommendations and plaster it on this blog. A good friend of mine let me in on a band called the Eddie Higgins Trio. Eddie Higgins was an American jazz pianist, recently passed away in 2009 at the age of 77. Obviously, if you want to be bored with the biography, be my guest. I'd rather jump into the music. Here's one that strangely sounds familiar.

Bits of classical piano in the middle here and there. It's probably likely that he was classically trained. Most professional pianists, regardless of genre they end up in, do start with classics. That's why they're called classics mind you.

Anyways, this guy Eddie Higgins is definitely quite the jazz pianist, very elegant and versatile. I just wonder why I haven't discovered him yet. Hats off to my friend whose initials go SMO. That might be a new nickname. High five Smo.

Let's continue shall we?

So good. My hands can't keep still because they want to dance along to the tune. Let's pop up another one. I want to go on turbo mode with this.

So, damn, smooth. Like a good glass of whiskey accompanied by a cigar. Not that I'm a particular enthusiast of either, but I do enjoy them from time to time, and it just paints the scene perfectly with this sort of music. I really need to seek out a jazz bar.

Here's one with his band as a quartet with Scott Hamilton, a jazz tenor saxophonist.

The sax is just so right in here. I almost clapped at my laptop before looking like an idiotic seal to my cup of tea here.

Here you go though. Any of you planning a chill night, include this guy in your playlist won't you? Or a romantic evening with a lady (or a gentleman) and you just don't want to sit there without saying anything, you can always turn this on, mood it up, and recite the wikipedia article on Eddie Higgins from top to bottom to show off your superior jazz knowledge. Unless he or she's an actual jazz musician and bounces your brain, in which case I'd say: tough luck chap/darling.

Now here's the hour video of the Trio's bebop-y sounding, A Portrait In Black and White, the full album. I hope you enjoyed today's selection. My name is Alex, and I'm getting arrested for eating a succulent Chinese meal.

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.