Archives for March 2016

Happy Birthday Jean Sabastien

To one of the greatest composers that has (or will ever IMO) lived, happy birthday Maestro!

Happy birthday BachOne of my favorite of his works arranged for brass quintet. It was one of the selections of my graduate Chamber Music recital.

 

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

Ultimate-Spring-Cleaning-Checklist

source: http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/infographic/ultimate-spring-cleaning-checklist/

Home Sales Up Year-Over-Year

This is the 48th consecutive month with year-over-year price gains.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist says that, “The main issue continues to be a supply & affordability problem. Finding the right property at an affordable price is burdening many potential buyers.”

Inventory is still below historic normals at a 4.4 month supply.

sales year over year

The Abyssinian Mass: Wynton Marsalis Music Review

Sometimes Facebook gives us gifts. A few months ago a promo showed up on my Wall. Because of my love of Jazz and my admiration of Wynton Marsalis, a post with a link to a video for the soon to be released “The Abyssinian Mass” caught my attention. What I saw was amazing.

I went to Amazon and pre-ordered so I’d get it immediately on its release.

Marsalis has emerged as a trumpet virtuoso equally fluent in jazz and classical languages, know that the intertwined subjects of faith and religion long have coursed through his work. Even his first great suite, “The Majesty of the Blues” (1989), contained at its center a vast sermon.

“The Abyssinian Mass,” performed by the JALC Orchestra, the Chorale le Chateau and its vocal soloists. “It’s a piece that’s based on the form of the typical Baptist service in the Afro-American church, but it incorporates elements of the entire Christian church tradition,” Marsalis says in a bonus DVD featuring his commentary alongside video clips (the first two discs are CD recordings of the complete work, as performed Oct. 24-26, 2013 in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York).

THE ABYSSINIAN MASSCommissioned to mark the 200th anniversary of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, the epic work begins with an exclamation point, the band’s big-swing exuberance, heady reed-section trills and slashing jazz chords reminding listeners that Marsalis knows how to get our attention.

Before long, the choir is humming insinuatingly, evoking the Holy Ghost in the Mass’ opening Devotional movement. Singer Jamal Moore reaches down into the depths of his magisterial bass to sing “I didn’t hear nobody prayin’,” as if calling all humanity together for the rites that are set to begin. In all, it’s a brilliant curtain-raiser hinting at the music yet to come, from the jazz-swing orations of the orchestra to the vocal incantations of the Chorale le Chateau and soloists.

On the 23 movements found on the two discs, “The Abyssinian Mass” thunders and sighs, its massively scored passages yielding to plaintive vocal solos, its full-throated choral sections giving way to introspective instrumental cadenzas. Though Damien Sneed is listed as conducting orchestra and chorus, in fact he’s presiding over uncounted combinations of voices and instruments, “The Abyssinian Mass” so fluid that it often changes tempo, direction and tone during the course of a single episode.

Therein lies the central message of “The Abyssinian Mass,” which seeks salvation through faith. If Butts’ sermon crystallizes the point in words, Marsalis’ “Pastoral Prayer” movement does so in music. This sprawling, multi-section piece overflows with ornate vocal solos, flurries from Marsalis’ trumpet , gospel-tinged orchestral interludes, fevered solo flights from alto saxophonist Sherman Irby and serene expressions from the chorus.

Elsewhere “The Abyssinian Mass” offers the soaring vocal passages of “The Lord’s Prayer,” hyper-virtuosic reed-section passagework in “Gloria Patri” and surging, redemptive choral climaxes in “Through Him I’ve Come to See.”

Longtime Marsalis listeners will recognize certain musical ideas that surface throughout his oeuvre. His love of portraying the clatter and rhythm of locomotives, in works such as “Big Train” (1999), re-emerges in the Recessional to “The Abyssinian Mass,” aptly titled “The Glory Train.” And the spirit of the “Holy Ghost” movement of “In This House” echoes in Marsalis’ and Marcus Printup’s trumpet cries answering Butts’ sermon.

Like the sanctified jazz expressions of Duke Ellington (the Sacred Concerts), John Coltrane (“A Love Supreme”) and Dave Brubeck (“The Gates of Justice”), among others, Marsalis’ “The Abyssinian Mass” stands as a monumental opus from a composer-performer with a great deal to say about subjects profoundly worth contemplating.

Thanks Facebook for the amazing gift!

Wayne Manor Vs. Fortress of Solitude

wayne-manor-vs-fortress-of-solitude

Superhero Decor: Batman Vs. Superman

In case you’re wondering, while Superman may be super, Batman still has the coolest stuff!

batman-vs-supermansource: www.terrysfabrics.co.uk

 

A Comprehensive Guide to Home Studio Acoustics

Home studio aocusticssource: resonics.co.uk

 

What to Do With That Fireplace You’re Not Using

fireplace 2Make the extra space work for you with artfully arranged logs, books or decorative objects

So you got lucky in your house hunt, finding a home with a fireplace. But it doesn’t work. If a fix is not in the budget or even possible, here are several ideas for making the most of it. And should the fireplace be in good working order but you know that actually making a fire will be a rare occurrence, take the liberty of treating this feature in a way that fits your lifestyle and design preferences.

10 Things to Consider Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

bath remodelA designer shares insider tips and tricks for your bathroom renovation

Whether you have a simple powder room or a master en suite, functionality should be at the heart of your bathroom remodel. Read on to learn tricks for gaining storage, improving lighting and drainage, and more to ensure that your renovated bathroom stands the test of time.