Music bridges the gaps

Before reading this, you might want to set the playlist to the Rachmaninov concerto. My resurrected interest in classical music has led me back to Rachmaninov. Some of you might be thinking "What?" or "Who?" I will explain. His somewhat raw, usually depressed, and use of every piano key sound could captivate anyone. Music that is free from tainted Brittney or "milk shakes" (that thing that brings all the boys to the yard) is hard to find these days. Does anyone agree? Since Chris and I are HUGE music fans we are always on the search for new artists, new talent, and fresh or endearing theory behind their lyrics and sound. Although most of Rach's concertos lack lyrics, they have a message. This is what was said of him..." Rachmaninov is regarded as one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. He had legendary technical facilities and rhythmic drive, and his large hands were able to cover the interval of a thirteenth on the keyboard (a hand span of approximately twelve inches). His reputation as a composer generated a variety of opinions, before his music gained steady recognition across the world. The 1954 edition of Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians notoriously dismissed his music as "monotonous in texture ... consist[ing] mainly of artificial and gushing tunes ..." and predicted that his popular success was "not likely to last" ([1]). To this, Harold C. Schonberg, in his Lives of the Great Composers, responded, "It is one of the most outrageously snobbish and even stupid statements ever to be found in a work that is supposed to be an objective reference." Indeed, not only have Rachmaninov's works become part of the standard repertoire, but their popularity among both musicians and audiences has, if anything, increased since the middle of the twentieth century, with some of his symphonies and other orchestral works, songs and choral music recognized as masterpieces alongside the more familiar piano works." I will say that his Prelude in C# Minor is almost never attempted because of it's physical demand. Playing it has been compared to shoveling ten tons of coal. It has more notes per second than any other concerto. Rachmaninov played it in New York in 1909 during a concert tour hoping to earn enough money to buy a car. Later, a boy named David Helfgott learned and played this concerto in 1969. The rest of the story about David is told in the movie Shine. If you haven't seen it...rent it, get a box of Kleenex and get ready for a mind blowing true story of David. It is depressing, and it is rated pg-13, but I wouldn't recommend the adult conversations and lack of "action" for anyone under 17, honestly...but wow, you will be amazed! Can music bridge the gaps? You'll have to see. But, I know there is not an ounce of fabricated sound or talent when dealing with classical music. Long live the Fine Arts!

In February Coleman turned one! We decided it was time to finally get a family portrait.