Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 3, Prokofiev Piano Concerto no. 5 & Bartok Piano Concerto no.2
Emil Gilels, piano
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Maazel
on Tchaikovsky no. 3
Sviatoslav Richter, piano
London Symphony Orchestra, Maazel
on Prokofiev no. 5
Sviatoslav Richter, piano
Orchestre de Paris, Maazel
on Bartok no. 2

Friday, December 17, 2010

Justin Taylor's La Premiere Neige D'Hiver

Justin Taylor Justin Taylor born 1984 Brandon, MB CANADA

I am proud to call myself a friend and fan of Canadian born composer Justin Taylor. Taylor lives in Toronto, Canada and is quite visible in the modern classical world. He cites his main inspirations as most of the French and Russian composers of the 20th century. Taylor seems paticularly enamoured with Darius Milhaud and his experiments with polytonality.

This is not his latest work, but it was written in September of this year for conductor Alun Francis. It is a piece which is very much appropriate this time of year "La Premiere Neige D'Hiver" (The First Snow of Winter). He posted the demo of his orchestration along with a video he animated with manager Julio Colorado on YouTube recently:

Stravinsky-The Firebird/The Rite of Spring


Igor Stravinsky

The Firebird/The Rite of Spring


BRT Philharmonic Orchestra

Alexander Rahbari



Arthur Honegger 1892-1955

Symphonies 4 & 5, Pacific 231



Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse

conducted by Michel Plasson

Quotes:Jennifer Higdon


Jennifer Higdon is a composer born in Brooklyn, New York in 1962.


I won't start a piece until I meet with the person, hear them play and hear what they like.

Quotes:Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor
Justin Taylor born 1984 is a composer born in Brandon, Manitoba Canada and currently living in Toronto.


I tend to embrace both the English and French parts of my homeland, but that is out of sheer love for our culture and diversity of its peoples. But if one were to ask if I write music that is predominately Canadian, I'd give that a resounding no. My music reflects my own personal tastes.

Quotes:Michael Colgrass


Michael Colgrass is a composer born 1932 in Chicago, currently living in Toronto, Canada.


I’m not trying to pull any tricks or dazzle anybody. I’m trying to make a music which convinces me, and which is interesting to me. It’s as simple as that.