Links

Listening Links for Repertoire

Cadet Orchestra:

Concert Orchestra:

Symphony Orchestra:

Chamber Music:

Some videos we studied during E-Learning (Spring, 2020)

We focused on the Knowledge and Affective learning outcomes, and began with a wonderful TED Talk video by conductor Benjamin Zander, who brilliantly addresses many topics in Classical music, including melodic shape and physical movement while performing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE (20 min)

Expanding on “Movement” in performance, we watched and responded to Gustavo Dudamel, conducting the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, performing Leonard Bernstein’s Mambo from “West Side Story” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYvEvP2cmdk 6 minutes

Expanding on the idea of Melody, we watched and considered Rob Kapilow’s fascinating PBS analysis of the “Over the Rainbow” melody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbKEB1v8McA (6 minutes) followed by a more extensive concert by conductor Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, focused on “Melody.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSv0YcqWow (53 minutes)

Also, appropriately timed with the Easter holiday, we watched and considered the final portion of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” in terms of the historical development and expansion of the Orchestral Symphony as a form and genre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Px44IuVKM (17 minutes)

After studying the ending of that great Mahler Symphony No. 2, we enjoyed two humorous videos related to that famous ending:

"Mahler 2 Enthusiasm" conductors video afterwards, as a reflection treat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoZdwam7wgw

...and "Mahler 2 Enthusiasm 2.0 Movie version," particularly for fans of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ViX0CMq6Q

In a study of great movie composer and conductor John Williams:

John Williams: The Maestro’s Finale – The Rise of Skywalker 2019 scoring session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g2LNSUowHc (11:00)

John Williams conducts his own “Imperial March” from Star Wars, Chicago Symphony, April 18-21, 2018 (**this is a concert busloads of York students and parents attended!**)

https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoSymphony/videos/vb.22340893048/902358896856217/?type=2&theater (3:00)

John Williams conducting a Carrie Fisher (actress) tribute in 2017 (you may start at 8:30 to skip the tribute speakers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16x4K2lymoY&t=817s (17:00)

John Williams Cameo - Behind the Scenes - The Rise of Skywalker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGc47-ncN70 (5:00)

John Williams conducts Jurassic Park, Boston Pops Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZh88vz8b8 (6:00)

Over the Rainbow – John Williams conducting with Christine Brewer and orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxNmOzvIiqE&feature=emb_logo (6:00)

A Composer you should know: Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) Orchestral Repertoire you should know: Suite from the Ballet The Firebird (1910)

Performance Practice: We watched a uniquely “tradition stretching” performance by the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra, Glenn Block conducting, which expands on our theme of movement or choreography while playing. Dr. Block and the ISU Symphony just shared a concert with us at York in November of 2019, as well as on 9 previous occasions. This video is from a concert at ISU in May, 2019.

This music is a ballet, like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, so would be staged with dancers, some costumes, a set and lighting. However, great ballet music is also often performed in a concert setting by an orchestra. Dr. Block and his students have chosen to add elements of choreography, staging and lighting to enhance the production. Stravinsky’s music was highly progressive, ground breaking and experimental. Listen to the colors, moods, effects and harmonies, including qualities we would associate with the Impressionists of his time and recent preceding years.

ISU video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3VoMD80VWw&t=1438s * Horn solo (at 22:45) is Leah Young, York HS Class of 2015 * :)

Some videos just for extra fun and exploration:

Matt Agnew (cellist) playing Beatles “And I Loved Her” https://youtu.be/G4VUzTibuH4

Matt Agnew (cellist) playing “You are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Time After Time”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMwqKsz_HNc

Lean on Me – World Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiouJsnYytI

Ravel Bolero Cello “ensemble” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUeysGoPFTk&list=PLjBWfUseD3nSaxdsWSSfh64loMPYcHXOY&index=24

Simply Three feat. Bob Moody Hallelujah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hz84ZBIsbE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2kDdw2hDS0KbkcbXqsB0DcwfLI-fR5yTNdp5GjV56atzeuPA-pkcnevz0 The singer here is Robert Moody, who is Music Director (conductor) of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and has guest conducted the Chicago Symphony. He is also a fantastic cellist, and a friend of mine - we were in the same cabin at summer music camp during our high school years. :)