Cello Journey
Cello Journey is a regular video podcast that features live music played on the cello and some commentary. You can listen to different pieces of music and also see what cello playing is about.
Sat, June 07, 2008
Cello Journey #29, Thais Meditation (Version 2)
I thought I would put up two versions of the same episode. It is difficult to pick one sometimes. There may be a different feeling in each. Let me know what you think. In this episode we play the Meditation from the Opera Thais by Jules Massenet. The Thais comes from an interlude towards the end of the opera. It is usually played on the violin. It is marked Andante Religioso and there is a reflective mood throughout. This piece is special to me because, over the years, my mother has played it in church on the violin. I wanted to do a good job with it. We hope you enjoy it. For feedback you can e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or visit the website cellojourney.com
Sat, June 07, 2008
Cello Journey #29, Thais Meditation
I thought I would put up two versions of the same episode. It is difficult to pick one sometimes. There may be a different feeling in each. Let me know what you think. In this episode we play the Meditation from the Opera Thais by Jules Massenet. The Thais comes from an interlude towards the end of the opera. It is usually played on the violin. It is marked Andante Religioso and there is a reflective mood throughout. This piece is special to me because, over the years, my mother has played it in church on the violin. I wanted to do a good job with it. We hope you enjoy it. For feedback you can e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or visit the website cellojourney.com
Sun, January 20, 2008
Cello Journey #28, Haydn Concerto in C, 1st Movement
In this episode we play the cello concerto in C Major by Joseph Haydn. We decided to play it with organ since it sounds more like an orchestra and it makes a nice match. We are playing in a wonderful church called Mountainview United Church. We hope you enjoy it. For feedback you can e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or visit the website cellojourney.com
Fri, January 11, 2008
Cello Journey #27, Kol Nidrei (re-post)
In this episode we play the Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch. This piece is based on a Jewish prayer recited in the synagogue at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. You can find out more information at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kol_Nidre The episode is re-posted because the video file was incomplete. Sorry about that. It should work better now. For feedback please visit cellojourney.com or e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com
Wed, August 29, 2007
Cello Journey #26, Faure Sicilienne
In this episode we play the Sicilienne by the French composer Gabriel Faure. I recently went on a trip to Quebec and had a chance to eat some great French meals. As a result, I did a bit of French cooking myself. I noticed that the common theme in this type of cooking is how ingredients tend to fit well together. A sauce will fit everything else that is on the plate. Flavors and textures go in and out of each other to create a greater whole. This piece is similar in that its melodies fade in and out of each other. Harmonies, colors and textures blend well together and undergo subtle changes. I hope you can sense that in the music. For feedback you can e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or visit the website cellojourney.com
Wed, July 25, 2007
Cello Journey #25, Beethoven Variations
In this episode we play the variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a theme by Mozart, “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen?. This is based on a theme from the opera The Magic Flute originally sung by a soprano and a baritone in a duet. Musicians in Beethoven's time were very adept at playing and improvising variations. They could even improvise on a melody or favorite tune given to them by a member of the audience. Beethoven wrote many variations for piano solo and many variations for cello and piano. We hope you enjoy it. website: cellojourney.com e-mail: cellojourney@gmail.com
Mon, May 28, 2007
Cello Journey #24, Schumann Fantasiestucke No.1
In this episode we play the first of three Fantasiestucke (Fantasy Pieces) by Robert Schumann. This piece was originally written for clarinet and piano but I think it sounds good on the cello. Schumann often wrote sets of miniatures that each have their own mood. In this one there is some tension between triplets (three notes per beat) in the piano and duplets (two notes per beat) in melodies in both the cello and piano. This adds unrest to this emotional and romantic piece. We hope you enjoy it. cellojourney.com cellojourney@gmail.com
Mon, April 23, 2007
Cello Journey #23, April 18, 2007 Allemande from Suite No. 2 by Bach
In this episode I play another dance by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is the Allemande from Suite No.2. What I like about this piece is how it flows along and how each phrase seems connected to another phrase. I hope you enjoy it. cellojourney.com cellojourney@gmail.com
Tue, March 20, 2007
Cello Journey #22, March 15, 2007, Allegro Appassionato
In this episode we play the Allegro Appassionato by Camille Saint-Saens. This is a rather fast passionate and exciting piece. Part of its passion is in its abrupt changes of tempo and loudness. Even though it is exciting, it is in B minor and hence in a sad mode. Also many of its melodies come down rather than go up. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or visit cellojourney.com
Fri, February 23, 2007
Cello Journey #21, Feb. 20, 2007, Prelude from Suite No.2 by Bach
This prelude is the introduction to Suite No.2 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Even though this prelude is a bit sombre, I think it has a special warm mood to it. It communicates something about life being confusing at times and how it can be difficult to make sense of things. I think this piece is about trying to make sense of things and putting them together. I hope you enjoy it. To leave feedback please visit: cellojourney.com cellojourney@gmail.com
Sat, January 13, 2007
Cello Journey #20, Jan. 9, 2007, Faure Apres un Reve
The music for this episode is the chanson or song by Gabriel Faure called Apres un Reve (After a Dream). At the time Faure wrote this he was having a difficult time in his life. A woman that he loved broke off an engagement to him. Gabriel was very disappointed, gloomy and sad. He wrote a number of pieces that reflect this mood. The poem that this piece is based on describes a dream with visions of heaven, being with one's true love, and happiness. At some point though the singer sings that he wishes the dream would return. Perhaps you have some dream that you wish would return to you. I hope you enjoy it. The poem and its translation can be found on the website cellojourney.com For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com
Sun, December 17, 2006
Cello Journey #19, Dec. 12, 2006, Bach Gigue
In this episode I play the Gigue from the first suite by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is a lively dance that ends the suite and also completes the suite on Cello Journey. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Sat, November 25, 2006
Cello Journey #18, November 21, 2006, Beethoven Sonata Part 2
In this episode we play the 2nd half of Sonata No.4 by Ludwig van Beethoven that we started in an earlier episode. There is much care and detail that Beethoven put into this piece. There are tempo changes, accented notes and complex rhythms. The music gets suddenly louder or softer. This music is characteristic of Beethoven's later period where he combined a lot of structures and changed things around. The movement starts with a slow section that is almost timeless in nature. You can hear a quote of the theme from the first movement. Later begins a faster more energetic section. There are a lot of interruptions but eventually the music drives towards the end. We hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Sat, October 28, 2006
Cello Journey #17, Halloween Episode, Popper Gnomentanz
This is a special Halloween episode of Cello Journey. Me and Ross play the Gnomentanz (Dance of The Gnomes) by David Popper. It is a somewhat menacing and spooky piece with a happy major section in the middle. Happy Halloween! For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Thu, October 05, 2006
Cello Journey #16, October 2, 2006, Bach Courante, iPod Edition
In this episode I play a dance by Johann Sebastian Bach called a Courante. There is only one more dance after this and then the first suite of dances by Bach will be complete on Cello Journey. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Thu, October 05, 2006
Cello Journey #16, October 2, 2006, Bach Courante
In this episode I play a dance by Johann Sebastian Bach called a Courante. There is only one more dance after this and then the first suite of dances by Bach will be complete on Cello Journey. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Sat, September 09, 2006
Cello Journey #15, September 6, 2006, Beethoven Sonata, iPod Edition
In this episode we play the first half of Sonata No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven. First there is a tender slower section and then a lively faster section. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Sat, September 09, 2006
Cello Journey #15, September 6, 2006, Beethoven Sonata
In this episode we play the first half of Sonata No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven. First there is a tender slower section and then a lively faster section. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Thu, August 24, 2006
Cello Journey #14, August 21, 2006, Papillon (Butterfly) by Gabriel Faure, iPod Edition
The music for this episode is Papillon (Butterfly) by Gabriel Faure. Recently I happened to watch a butterfly in a field. It was either flying around quickly or it would land to rest and you could see its beautiful wings. In this piece there are fast parts and melodic parts. I think these represent the behavior of a butterfly. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments on cellojourney.com
Thu, August 24, 2006
Cello Journey #14, August 21, 2006, Papillon (Butterfly) by Gabriel Faure
The music for this episode is Papillon (Butterfly) by Gabriel Faure. Recently I happened to watch a butterfly in a field. It was either flying around quickly or it would land to rest and you could see its beautiful wings. In this piece there are fast parts and melodic parts. I think these represent the behavior of a butterfly. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments on cellojourney.com
Tue, August 15, 2006
Cello Journey #13, August 14, 2006, The Swan, iPod Special Edition
This is a special edition of Cello Journey. There is a pair of nice swans that live nearby and I thought I would put together a video of them along with the music of The Swan. They always swim together. I hope you enjoy it. Episode Info: In this episode we play a famous piece by the French composer Camille Saint-Saens called The Swan. It is a part of the Carnival of The Animals which is an orchestral suite but this is a section where the cello represents a swan and the accompaniment represents the rippling waters that the swan glides upon. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Tue, August 15, 2006
Cello Journey #13, August 14, 2006, The Swan, Special Edition
This is a special edition of Cello Journey. There is a pair of nice swans that live nearby and I thought I would put together a video of them along with the music of The Swan. They always swim together. I hope you enjoy it. Episode Info: In this episode we play a famous piece by the French composer Camille Saint-Saens called The Swan. It is a part of the Carnival of The Animals which is an orchestral suite but this is a section where the cello represents a swan and the accompaniment represents the rippling waters that the swan glides upon. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments.
Wed, August 02, 2006
Cello Journey #13, July 31, 2006, The Swan, iPod Edition
In this episode we play a famous piece by the French composer Camille Saint-Saens called The Swan. It is a part of the Carnival of The Animals which is an orchestral suite but this is a section where the cello represents a swan and the accompaniment represents the rippling waters that the swan glides upon.
Thu, July 20, 2006
Cello Journey #12, July 15, 2006, Popper Hungarian Rhapsody, iPod Edition
The music for this episode is the Hungarian Rhapsody by David Popper. It contains a number of Hungarian melodies and songs. The video is a bit out of sync with the audio towards the end. I will fix this and upload a corrected version. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com
Wed, July 05, 2006
Cello Journey #11, July 3, 2006, Faure Elegy, iPod Edition
In this episode we play a piece by the French composer Gabriel Faure. It is the Elegy. This piece is quite well known among cellists and audiences and I received quite a few requests for it. We thought we would play it. Both the cello and piano have very nice parts in this piece.
Wed, July 05, 2006
Cello Journey #11, July 3, 2006, Faure Elegy
In this episode we play a piece by the French composer Gabriel Faure. It is the Elegy. This piece is quite well known among cellists and audiences and I received quite a few requests for it. We thought we would play it. Both the cello and piano have very nice parts in this piece.
Mon, June 19, 2006
Cello Journey #10, June 16, 2006
The music for this episode is Village Song by David Popper. It has nice melodies and an innocent quality about it. Happy Father's Day to any dads that might be watching.
Mon, June 19, 2006
Cello Journey #10, June 16, 2006, iPod Edition
The music for this episode is Village Song by David Popper. It has nice melodies and an innocent quality about it. Happy Father's Day to any dads that might be watching.
Sun, June 04, 2006
Cello Journey #9, June 3, 2006, iPod Edition
In this episode I am joined by a good friend and pianist Ross Inglis. The piece is Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov. It is originally for voice and piano and it is a song without words.
Sun, June 04, 2006
Cello Journey #9, June 3, 2006
In this episode I am joined by a good friend and pianist Ross Inglis. The piece is Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov. It is originally for voice and piano and it is a song without words.
Sun, May 21, 2006
Cello Journey #8, May 20, 2006, iPod Edition
Since recently it was Mother's Day I thought I would play something related to this. It is a piece by David Popper called "Once Upon More Beautiful Days: In Memory of My Parents". I would like to dedicate it to all mothers that might be watching.
Sun, May 21, 2006
Cello Journey #8, May 20, 2006
Since recently it was Mother's Day I thought I would play something related to this. It is a piece by David Popper called "Once Upon More Beautiful Days: In Memory of My Parents". I would like to dedicate it to all mothers that might be watching.
Mon, May 08, 2006
Cello Journey #7, May 7, 2006, iPod Edition
In this episode I play another piece by David Popper. It is called a Tarantella. This type of dance comes from southern Italy. It is danced by couples and I think it is still played at some weddings to this day. It is fairly energetic, upbeat and I hope it gives you a bit of energy too. I recorded the comments separately because I found it hard to concentrate right after talking.
Mon, May 08, 2006
Cello Journey #7, May 7, 2006
In this episode I play another piece by David Popper. It is called a Tarantella. This type of dance comes from southern Italy. It is danced by couples and I think it is still played at some weddings to this day. It is fairly energetic, upbeat and I hope it gives you a bit of energy too. I recorded the comments separately because I found it hard to concentrate right after talking.
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #6, April 24, 2006, iPod Edition
The music for this episode is a dance written by David Popper. He lived about one hundred years ago and he was fairly well known at the time. He travelled and performed on the cello and also wrote lots of cello music. He must have been a very hardworking person. I think this music is a bit lighter and more fun. It is a dance called a Gavotte.
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #5, April 13, 2006, iPod Edition
There are some holidays coming up so I thought I would play something more reflective and thoughtful. This is a dance called an Allamande, also by Bach. I always think of it as being a bit shy at the beginning and more outgoing towards the end. Please e-mail feedback to cellojourney@gmail.com
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #4, April 7, 2006, iPod Edition
In this episode I play a slower dance also by Bach. It is called a Sarabande. You can try to imagine someone dancing to it if you like. Please keep the feedback and comments coming. website: cellojourney.com e-mail: cellojourney@gmail
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #3, April 1, 2006, iPod Edition
This episode I play something dance-like and folk-like. It is also written by Bach. I will probably play more Bach in the future since he wrote so much good music for solo cello. The feedback has been really encouraging and I look forward to more. Thank you for watching.
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #2, March 28, 2006, iPod Edition
The music in this episode is The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens. It is more singing in quality. This piece is normally played with a piano. Maybe in some future episodes I will bring other musicians onto the show to play with me. Please stay tuned.
Tue, May 02, 2006
Cello Journey #1, March 27, 2006, iPod Edition
In the first episode I play some Bach and introduce the video podcast. For now I just want to play for people. In the future there may be some slight changes with the format. Please visit cellojourney.com or send me feedback via e-mail to cellojourney@gmail.com
Tue, April 25, 2006
Cello Journey #6, April 24, 2006
The music for this episode is a dance written by David Popper. He lived about one hundred years ago and he was fairly well known at the time. He travelled and performed on the cello and also wrote lots of cello music. He must have been a very hardworking person. I think this music is a bit lighter and more fun. It is a dance called a Gavotte.
Sat, April 15, 2006
Cello Journey #5, April 13, 2006
There are some holidays coming up so I thought I would play something more reflective and thoughtful. This is a dance called an Allamande, also by Bach. I always think of it as being a bit shy at the beginning and more outgoing towards the end. Please e-mail feedback to cellojourney@gmail.com
Sat, April 08, 2006
Cello Journey #4, April 7, 2006
In this episode I play a slower dance also by Bach. It is called a Sarabande. You can try to imagine someone dancing to it if you like. Please keep the feedback and comments coming. website: cellojourney.com e-mail: cellojourney@gmail
Sun, April 02, 2006
Cello Journey #3, April 1, 2006
This episode I play something dance-like and folk-like. It is also written by Bach. I will probably play more Bach in the future since he wrote so much good music for solo cello. The feedback has been really encouraging and I look forward to more. Thank you for watching.
Thu, March 30, 2006
Cello Journey #2, March 28, 2006
The music in this episode is The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens. It is more singing in quality. This piece is normally played with a piano. Maybe in some future episodes I will bring other musicians onto the show to play with me. Please stay tuned.
Thu, March 30, 2006
Cello Journey #1, March 27, 2006
In the first episode I play some Bach and introduce the video podcast. For now I just want to play for people. In the future there may be some slight changes with the format. Please visit cellojourney.com or send me feedback via e-mail to cellojourney@gmail.com
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