Mahler's Songs
In rethinking some of my Mahler repertoire for performance and master classes later this year, I am again reminded that Mahler followed Schubert and Schumann in developing the song cycle. Mahler clearly loved a primal expression in the voice, incorporating a potpourri of marvelous themes from "high" and "low" cultures in his song cycles.
Mahler's style stretches from the Classical composers, including the Romantic world as well, with much attention to Beethoven and Wagner. These composers captivated Mahler's interest in creative "development."
Though Mahler never composed an opera, Beethoven's and Wagner's attention to thematic and harmonic originality, and clear musical "development," fascinated Mahler, grasping much of Mahler's creative thinking in regard to his own innovative world of song.
Anthology & Max Reger
Among composer data noted in my soon to be published song anthology, I have included information that I think the public will find amusing: For example, Max Reger-composer of children's songs, among many complicated and diverse instrumental music-wrote these songs, due to the then popular consensus that his music was too difficult. Interesting remedy Reger decided upon to alleviate his sticky situation.
Power of Knowledge
My wise mother often said, "knowledge is power."
I add to this, that knowledge nourishes self-esteem and a feeling of oneness with the world.
Those quick, or lengthy, glances through this magazine or that newspaper, or book, are adding fortification to the building blocks of what you know and who you are, to say nothing of those deep and involved conversations!
Changing Destructive Patterns & Ideas
Inappropriate and personally destructive patterns and ideas are changed not by Will necessarily, but by other ideas. One can assume that two powerful ingredients and levers go hand-in-hand with this concept. These are convictions held by almost everyone,
(1) the belief and feeling that one is capable of holding his own, doing his share, exercising a certain amount of independence, and,
(2) the belief that one houses something within, which should not be allowed to suffer indignities.
A Talent is a Gift
A talent is a gift and a gift is something you give.
Tone Makes Music
No matter how trivial, profound or uncomfortable the suggestion or news, it is the tone of presentation, which makes the music. There is nothing, which can't be received with positivism, if presented in an acceptable tone.
Creature & Creator
Unlike animals, man possesses "Creative Imagination." Thus man, of all creatures, is more than a creature, he is also a creator. Man surpasses self-preservation and pro-creation, and can direct his Success-Mechanism with use of his imagination.
Focus Proportion
Focus proportion is not to be underestimated. Glance at the negatives, but focus on the positives...Spend twenty percent on the problem and eighty percent on the painting of it fixed.
New Year Zest
"The launch of a New Year
Is a time for cheer,
A changing of the old,
A chime of things untold,
A slate of resolutions,
And devoutly new solutions,
A diet here, a promise there,
A time for passions with new found flare.
It's not a time for any less,
So gear yourself for zest of best!" JM
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