"Paderewski The Story Of A Modern Immortal"
by Charles Phillips
NEW YORK THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1934
From the introduction by Edward Mandell House:
After finishing his work at the Peace Conference, Paderewski returned to Warsaw, and, as Prime Minister, welded together the new Poland. When this had been successfully accomplished, he went back to that kingdom of which he had been so long master, and received a welcome which must have touched and gladdened his heart. Absence in another field of endeavor had in no way lessened his musical genius, and his triumph was one of the most remarkable incidents in his career. The statesman, the executive, the diplomat and orator were now merged in the artist, the composer and the poet. Again the magic of his hands stirred the hearts of his audiences to rapture and to tears.
You can download the entire book at the title link above. The picture is linked to Wikipedia.
On the last Shaman's Hand radio show we talked a little about the great Paderewski. My connection to him is through my teacher John Suter who saw him perform in Phoenix and also in Chicago. He was a big fan of the great pianist as was his teacher Mr Karl Hakes.
We also featured a piece by Paul Hindemith who was born on Nov. 16, 1895. We played his trio for Heckelphone. One of his students at least for a short time was Norman Dello Joio whom I had the honor of singing under with the Masterworks Chorale some years ago.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Paderewski, pianist, composer, statesman
Friday, October 31, 2008
Shaman's Hand Piano Meditations on CD at Amazon.com
It's up and ready for purchase at amazon. Just click on the picture above to check it out. The pieces are remastered versions of Eternal Ecstasies: Born in Bethlehem done as a music version by request. The music is somewhere between classical and new age, contemplative and for the most part relaxing and at times deeply emotional. The recording was done on my teacher John Suter's 1885 Steinway Concert Grand fully restored by James Reeder. The sound is rich and up close.
Pieces are titled: Touch of Rebirth, Touch of Creator/Creation, Touch of Purity, Touch of Mercy, Touch of Joy, Touch of Meekness/Strength, Touch of Infinite Love, Touch of Inner Peace and Shaman's Blessing.
Perfect for letting go of all the tension and energy blockages and entering those blissful, peaceful waves that correspond to the higher brain frequencies. It has been said by one listener to have a levitating effect on the mind/body consciousness. I have enjoyed listening while freeway driving!
The picture above is a blending of the piano and Lake Michigan where I grew up. We will be playing some of the music on Shaman's Hand Blog Talk Radio in the coming weeks to celebrate the release of Shaman's Hand, Piano Meditations!
Monday, September 15, 2008
George Li, eleven year old pianist
This is a fun piece by Franz Liszt. One of the Hungarian Rhapsodies, No.11. George Li, or whoever handles his YouTube account, invited me to be a friend. So I accepted knowing full well that he may know nothing of it. All the best to this young prodigy.
George Li, is a resident of North Andover, MA where he is a student at the Annie Sargent School. George has been playing piano since the age of four and enjoys taking tests, math and of course, the Red Sox.
