02.22.11
Frequent readers will know: I have a certain amount of man-crush for Brad Mehldau. Since being turned on to his music in 1998 I have purchased all of his albums and seen his concerts whenever he is even remotely nearby. So, yeah. I’m a fanboy.
Needless to say, I am excited about Mehldau’s newest release of his Marciac concerts of solo piano music. Mehldau’s playing has evolved to the point that I prefer him without the trio now. His Tokyo album is one of my favorites and this new album will surely rival that one.
Mehldau has upped the ante with this release by adding a feature that makes watching the DVD indispensable (rather than just cool).
from Brad’s website:
The DVD also offers an extra feature that is of potential interest to musicians and laymen alike – a “scrolling” transcription of Mehldau’s performance here of his own composition, Resignation. On the menu, the viewer has the option to view this transcription, which passes by on the screen in real time with the performance, or simply watch the concert. Resignation was transcribed by the French musician, Philippe André, who has made other transcriptions of Mehldau’s music, and the scrolling score, creatively done and beautifully rendered, was made by Craig Anderson, who has created two other scores of Mehldau compositions that can be viewed on the website here – Don’t Be Sad from Highway Rider, and Dreams from the record with Anne Sofie von Otter, Love Songs. The scrolling scores represent a new way to experience the music that combine a more conventional listening/studying aspect with a more here-and-now screen aesthetic.
It’s that last bit that has me really excited. Brad is taking his audience inside his music and allowing us to really understand his improvisatory craft. I can hardly wait to see how it is put together.
02.1.11
We did it!
Thank you all so much for supporting our project. I deserve little credit for the effort compared to my friend, David, and his considerable foresight into this project’s conception. All I wanted was a piece by my talented friend; what I got was a commission by a growing number of interested, passionate people who were willing to put up a little cash for the sake of art.
Although it was David’s idea and it is to him I will be forever grateful, you deserve the bulk of the credit. I can not adequately express how amazing everyone who has donated or helped spread the word has made me feel over the past two weeks. I never imagined we would meet our goal so fast and we owe it to all of you who helped.
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of commissions, premieres, recordings, and even a Pulitzer submission. I will say, with all honesty, this trumps them all.
Why?
Because it gives me hope that the public’s support for the arts is not limited by cynicism, indulgence, taste, or scarcity. It’s not even limited by reach. It’s not limited. It’s boundless, inspiring, and overwhelming. It only needed a catalyst, like Kickstarter, to find a way to make something that I never, ever though I would be able to do into something that just happened.
David has some of his own thoughts on his blog too. Do take a moment to read them because David is awesome and he made this happen. No other reason is necessary.
Needless to say, this is only the beginning. Please do not hesitate to get involved. You can still receive the benefits while we attempt to push to $1000. Why not fund this admirable project 200%? If we can do that, David and I can make a statement that music patronage in the digital age is alive and well when we start our next project. Although he may not know it yet, we’re working on a paper and lecture about the new Esterházy’s: THAT’S YOU! We are already brainstorming this document and we will start working on it when David (finally) finishes college. Forever.
In closing: THANK YOU! You all amaze me, and I am proud to be a part of it.
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