Interesting Facts about Singing History: The Renaissance Period

by admin | May 2, 2017 | Music History

Interesting Facts about Singing History: The Renaissance Period

The motet was the most preeminent polyphonic forms of music during the Renaissance period. However, this style of vocal composition did not arise during the 1400s to 1600s. It started in medieval times. More specifically, it arose in the thirteenth century. In this century, a theorist called Johannes de Grocheo explained that commoners could not enjoy motet since they could not understand its subtlety. Therefore, those who appreciated these vocal compositions were mostly elite members of society.

The Unification of Musical Language during the Renaissance Period

Unlike the motet of the medieval period, Renaissance music was more vocal and instrumental. In fact, songs had an increased number of independent lines playing simultaneously than they previously had. These advancements facilitated the rise in the quality and quantity of vocal compositions. Such changes were possible because of a unified musical language spurred by socioeconomic changes in Europe. These changes included the rise of humanistic thoughts, the rise of a bourgeois class, and commercial growth.

Vocal Compositions and the Use of Instruments during Renaissance Period

The human voice was the primary tool used in the production of music during medieval times. Instruments were merely accompaniments that colored the human voice. However, things started changing during the Renaissance Period. Instruments such as flute, violins, flutes, and keyboards acquired a new status. Significant modifications of these instruments also took place. It is also important to note that the number of composers and their professionalism increased significantly during this period. It did so because of modified instruments and advanced technologies such as the invention of the printing press in the 1400s.

The Emergence of the Madrigal

The madrigal was a vocal composition where the number of voices varied from two to about eight. In most cases, a madrigal had three to six voices. It was different from strophic songs at the time. These songs had repetitive choruses, but the madrigal was non-repetitive. To put it differently, its arrangement was linear and uninterrupted by dialogue. Madrigals emerged in Italy in the 1520s. The focus of these pieces was to express emotion in each line of a famous poem. It is important to note that the madrigal was the most distinct type of secular music during the Renaissance period. It ushered in a new era in singing history where secular compositions achieved prominence and became acceptable in society.

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Inspiration from the Life of Nathan Milstein

by admin | Apr 27, 2017 | Inspiration

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Inspiration from the Life of Nathan Milstein

Nathan Milstein was one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. Born in Russia in 1904, he settled in the United States in the early 1930s. He was a Jewish family that had no musical background. A concert 11-year-old Jascha Heifetz jump-started his path towards music. This concert inspired Nathan’s parents to nurture their son as a violinist. Consequently, his parents enrolled him in violin classes by an eminent violin pedagogue, Pyotr Stolyarsky, and a renowned violin teacher David Oistrakh. Nathan was seven years old at the time.

Nathan Received His Training from the Best Teachers at That Time

Those who wanted to excel in playing the violin wanted Leopold Auer to train them because he was the best violin teacher at that time. Nathan got a training invitation from Leopold at the St. Peters Conservatory when he was eleven years old. This invitation made him one of the few Russian violinists to receive training from Leopold. Eugene Ysaye also trained him in Belgium, but according to Nathan, he learned almost nothing from Eugene but he enjoyed his company.

Nathan was a Perfectionist

Nathan wrote cadenzas for concertos and he arranged various works for the violin. He would perform these tasks meticulously. Being a perfectionist, Nathan would spend several hours working on fingerings to ensure that each note was perfect. He would try out different fingerings until he got the one that produced the most articulated sound. One of his most remembered works is Paganiniana, which consists of works from Niccolo Paganini.

Inspiration from the Life of Nathan Milstein

Seeking the advice of good music teachers is critical to your success. You are unstoppable if you receive training from the best teachers and if you put effort into your work. Remember, Nathan sacrificed his time and effort so that he could perfect his work. The reward for his sacrifice was leaving behind works that made him a musical legend. Even today, we still celebrate him even though he died in 1992. You can also become as famous as he was if you find the best music teachers in addition to focusing on your work.

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For more questions, contact us at info@willanacademy.com or 646-838-3990. Willan Academy of Music offers piano lessons, guitar lessons, and more in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Breathe life into your dream. It’s simple, go on and do it.

Try Willan’s music lessons to jumpstart your musical journey.

LET THE MUSICAL JOURNEY BEGIN

Why more New Yorkers are taking in-home lessons?

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Inspiration from the Life of Jascha Heifetz

by admin | Apr 21, 2017 | blog, Inspiration

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Inspiration from the Life of Jascha Heifetz

Jascha Heifetz was a Russian-born violinist who lived between 1901 and 1987. Many people consider him as the greatest violinist of all time. Heifetz began practicing the violin at an early age. He showed great skill in using this instrument and consequently, his parents enrolled in a music school by the time he was five years old. In December 1906, he made his first public debut. It was a student recital. Then, at the age of eight years, he performed in the city of Kaunas. These events marked the start of Heifetz’s 65 years of public performance.

He Became an Immediate Sensation in the United States

In 1917, Heifetz’s family left Russia for the US. The family settled in San Francisco. In October 1917, Heifetz performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York. It was his first performance in the United States. He impressed his audience with his stunning performance. This presentation made him an immediate sensation. Consequently, the members of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity voted in favor of him joining their organization. He was sixteen years old at the time making him.

He Made his First Recording after the Carnegie Hall Debut

What many people do now know is that Heifetz spent two months preparing for his Carnegie Hall debut. His recital received many praises with music critics confessing that Heifetz had made the ideal concert a reality. This recital is still one of the most sensational performances worldwide. After this presentation, Heifetz moved to New Jersey where he started recording with the Victor Talking Machine Company.

Inspiration from the Life of Jascha Heifetz

Despite the fact that he was a teenager, Heifetz presented his music to a mature audience and he did so beautifully. From Heifetz’s story, you learn that preparation is critical regardless of how good you think you are. Heifetz prepared for his Carnegie Hall debut for a long time. It became a success because he put a lot of effort into it. Do the same thing when it comes to your work. Put some effort into it.

Keep reading: “Inspiration from the Life of Niccolo Paganini”>>

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For more questions, contact us at info@willanacademy.com or 646-838-3990. Willan Academy of Music offers piano lessons, guitar lessons, and more in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Willan Academy of Music

Office:
244 Madison Avenue Suite 171
New York, NY 10016

Phone: 646-838-3990
E-mail: info@willanacademy.com

Inspiration from the Life of Maria Callas

by admin | Apr 20, 2017 | blog, Inspiration

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Inspiration from the Life of Maria Callas

Maria was an iconic opera singer and many people lauded her for her vocal range, dramatic interpretations, and bel canto technique. Born on 2 December 1923, her birth name was Cecelia Sophia Kalos, but her parents changed it to Maria Callas. The family immigrated to the United States from Greece a few months before her mother gave birth to her. Here are some interesting facts about Maria Callas.

Maria Had a Bad Relationship with Her Mother

Maria’s relationship with her mother, Evangelia Dimitriadou, was less than ideal. In fact, Evangelia did not look at Maria for four days after she had given birth to her. The reason for this hostility towards her baby girl was that she wanted a boy. Moreover, Evangelia pressured Maria into music. Consequently, Maria started singing when she was three years old. Fortunately, Maria handled this pressure positively and she turned it into something useful.

Maria Received Praise from Her Trainers

Evangelia moved back to Athens when she divorced her husband and she took Maria with her. She enrolled her daughter in a prominent music conservatory in Athens. According to Maria Trivella, a trainer at the conservatory, Maria had a warm, intense, and lyrical voice. Moreover, Trivella described Maria’s voice as a melodious reverberation that resembled the sound made by a carillon.

Maria Used Her Talent to Earn Money for Her Family

In subsequent years, Maria started training with Elvira de Hidalgo. Hidalgo nurtured her talent in addition to helping her secure secondary roles at the Greek National Opera. These appearances helped her earn some money for her upkeep in addition to helping her family members. Her first professional debut took place in 1941 when she played the role of Beatrice in an operetta titled ‘Boccaccio.’ Maria returned to the US in 1945.

Inspiration from the Life of Maria Callas

Maria turned painful experiences into something positive. Music students should learn from her. Transform your pain into beautiful melodies. Additionally, developing a positive relationship with your music teacher helps you overcome your troubles. Remember, your music teacher will help you succeed just as Maria’s trainers helped her advance her career as a professional singer. Finally, use your talent for something positive such as earning money for your upkeep and helping your family members financially.

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For more questions, contact us at info@willanacademy.com or 646-838-3990. Willan Academy of Music offers piano lessons, guitar lessons, and more in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Willan Academy of Music

Office:
244 Madison Avenue Suite 171
New York, NY 10016

Phone: 646-838-3990
E-mail: info@willanacademy.com

Inspiration from the Life of Andrés Segovia

by admin | Apr 19, 2017 | blog, Inspiration

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Inspiration from the Life of Andrés Segovia

Classical guitarists refer to Andrés Segovia as the Grandfather of Classical Guitar. Born in February 1983, he died in June 1987. His fellow classical guitarists remember him for his expressive performances, distinct musical personality, and a broad palette of tone. His uncle, Eduardo, introduced him to the world of music. Eduardo took Segovia to a violinist. Unfortunately, the violinist was too strict on the boy, so Eduardo had to discontinue the lessons. He decided to move to Granada along with Segovia so that his nephew could access quality education in music.

Segovia’ Family Wanted Him to Become a Lawyer

Francisco Tarrega trained Segovia in Granada. Unfortunately, Tarrega died before Segovia had reached the pinnacle of his musical talent. In 1909, at age 16, Segovia performed his first public debut in Granada. However, his family discouraged him from pursuing music. Instead, they wanted him to pursue law. Segovia remained steadfast in his resolve. He studied music diligently. Luckily, he debuted in Madrid a few years later after his first public performance. He performed some of the works written by his former teacher, Tarrega, during this debut.

Segovia’ Music Impressed His Fellow Musicians

In 1912, he played again in Madrid opening doors for additional concerts in Madrid and other cities in Europe. In 1915, he played in the Paris Conservatory and then he performed in Barcelona the following year. He toured South America in 1919. Additionally, he visited Mexico in 1923 for the first time where his music made a lasting impression on Manuel Ponce. He also made an impression on Hermann Hauser Sr. when he visited Germany in 1924. Segovia’ music impressed Hauser so much that Hauser gave him a guitar as a gift. Segovia used the guitar in his tour of the United States in subsequent years.

Inspiration from the Life of Andrés Segovia

Family members may try to divert you from your passion because they feel that another career is good for you. Segovia’ life should teach you the importance of persevering in your passion. Do not let it go. Give it your best and you will travel the world just as Segovia did. More importantly, you will leave a lasting impression on fellow musicians, family members, friends, and listeners.

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For more questions, contact us at info@willanacademy.com or 646-838-3990. Willan Academy of Music offers violin lessons, piano lessons, and more in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Willan Academy of Music

Office:
244 Madison Avenue Suite 171
New York, NY 10016

Phone: 646-838-3990
E-mail: info@willanacademy.com