Almost makes me wish I was still playing trumpet these days.

TSO is my wife’s favorite band. While I have not listened to as much of it as she has (she is quick to change that), it was still a very enjoyable experience. It’s unlike just about any other concert you’d ever go to. This particular one was about Beethoven’s Last Night, and told a story of Beethoven on his death bed, deals with Mephistopheles, and twists of fate. I won’t ruin anything for those who want to see it. All I can say is, it was very well done and the story was engaging. The concert also lasted over two and a half hours.

TSO is probably most famously known for their Christmas music, but they have various versions of other classical works too. I think my favorite piece of the night was when they did their rock version of O Fortuna, but that’s because that song is awesome even as it was originally written.

In any case, I look forward to my wife dragging me off to see them again at some point in the future :-)

An ode to YouTube.

Since our culture is so used to having our modern music in 4/4 time, it can be a bit of a stretch to fit into the meter of this piece. However, I think by the end of it, it really takes off.

The song actually only has four chords throughout, and they’re repeated in the same order. However, the texturization and melody are different, and I double them in the “slow” middle section. (It’s not really any slower, but doubling the length of the chords makes it seem that way).

Likewise, the song starts off at 140 beats per minute when converted to 6/8 time. 6/8 time is useful because it can sound like either 4/4 or 3/4, and in this case I chose the 3/4 sound. Anyway, after the slow section, I hold just a fraction on the “missing” note by slowing the tempo for that silent section down to 80 beats per minute. Then, I push the tempo just a tad bit faster while transposing the chords up 3 half steps. I repeat the 3-half-step transposition at each modulation, although I didn’t increase the tempo any at that point (it still feels like it a bit–I think part of the “rushed” feeling is the fact that it’s in 3/4 time, which is already one beat less than the expected 4/4 time).

In any case, I like the 3-half-step transpositions, because the octave is divided into 12 half steps, so after four modulations you’re back to the original key (although an octave higher). I ended it by playing in the original octave too rather than having it an octave higher.

I hope you enjoy. And if not…well, it’s not like it cost you anything to listen to it!

I didn’t make this video. I’m reposting it here for one of my friends who has turned away from the faith she once knew and who thinks her old friends hate her.

I’ve had this on YouTube for a bit, but forgot to link it here.