http://cellojourney.com Regular episodes of cello music. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:11:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One of the questions that cellists may ask themselves while they're learning the cello is, what is technique? Sometimes you can make the mistake of thinking that technique is how you play different pieces, but it is not. Technique is how easily you play the instrument. It has to do ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=155 It is time for another blog post on Cello Journey. The topic this time is interpretation of music. There are two overall models for interpreting music. One is about simplifying things and the other is about putting various layers on top of other layers. Let me describe the latter one first. ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=151 I was fixing a link on the Cello Journey website and accidentally e-mails went out about it. I will make sure that won't happen again. Please stay subscribed. Luke cellojourney.com http://cellojourney.com/?p=149 Over the past several months I have been asked about a DVD of Cello Journey. I am happy to announce that it is now available. Here are a few reasons to get the DVD. With a DVD you can: 1. Watch 21 episodes of Cello Journey directly on your TV. 2. Play ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=136 Over the last few days I went out and bought a new Mac. It is definitely speeding things up. My old one was really starting to limit what I could do. The episodes may be more frequent. I will hopefully be more active on the blog. ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=134 One of the things I find interesting in music is how different beats have a different feel to them. I think there is a reason why a downbeat is called a downbeat. It should have a certain solidity to it. I will sometimes hear a recording where the upbeats ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=133 YouTube Version 1 Direct Download Version 1 YouTube Version 2 Direct Download Version 2 I thought I would put up two versions of the same episode. It is difficult to pick one sometimes. There may be a different feeling in each. Let me know what you think. In this episode we play the Meditation from ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=132 Sorry that it has been a while since a new episode has come out. We actually recorded the Tarantella by William Henry Squire a few weeks ago. It turned out great. Unfortunately the episode will not be released right now. I discovered some copyright issues that I ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=126 I just thought I would mention something about the e-mails I receive about viewers starting cello. Over the last 2 years I've received quite a few. There is a wide range of people that start. Some are in in school and some are older adults. I ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=125 There is one topic that I could probably write several blog posts about. It is the unique way something like Cello Journey makes use of the internet. I can mention six things right away. 1. Classical music sounds good recorded live. It does not require much mixing ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=123 Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart a blogger? Ok, obviously not. But composers like Mozart did write many letters. In those days this was the usual way to communicate over distances. You can actually read some of them at Project Gutenberg. I just thought it was interesting how Mozart regularly wrote ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=122 One of the things I have thought about is identifying a key difference between classical music and pop music. I know that the two genres generally sound very different. There is also a tremendous amount of variety in both genres. But I tried to pin down the ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=121 There is something that has been knocking around in my mind. I am not sure what to make of it. We rarely use full composer names.  I often hear statements like these, "What do you like better, Mozart or Haydn?" "I am playing the Dvorak." "Mendelssohn is my ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=118 I am going to try to write here on a daily basis. You may be wondering why I am doing it. Over the weekend, I attended a wonderful conference on podcasting called Podcamp Toronto. It was about podcasting and the future of new media. I also ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=117 So far on Cello Journey I stick to posting news and episodes on the main page. I thought of having a separate Blog tab (up at the top) where I will post more regularly. Sometimes a few weeks goes by between episodes and I would like to communicate ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=116 YouTube Direct Download In this episode we play the cello concerto in C Major by Joseph Haydn. We decided to play it with organ since it sounds more like an orchestra and it makes a nice match. We are playing in a wonderful church called Mountainview United Church. We hope you enjoy ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=112 I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year! I hope you get to spend time with family and have a bit of a break. May all your wishes come true. See you in January. Luke http://cellojourney.com/?p=111 We are excited to release the first Cello Journey CD. You can buy it at CD Baby starting today. Thank you in advance to everyone that buys it. Click for more info: http://cellojourney.com/?p=109 YouTube Part 1 YouTube Part 2 Direct Download In this episode we play the Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch. This piece is based on a Jewish prayer recited in the synagogue at the beginning of the evening service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. You can find out more information at the ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=105 YouTube Direct Download In this episode we play the Sicilienne by the French composer Gabriel Faure. I recently went on a trip to Quebec and had a chance to eat some great French meals. As a result, I did a bit of French cooking myself. I noticed that the common theme in ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=103 YouTube Direct Download In this episode we play the variations by Ludwig van Beethoven on a theme by Mozart, “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen”. This is based on a theme from the opera The Magic Flute originally sung by a soprano and a baritone in a duet. Musicians in Beethoven's ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=102 YouTube Direct Download In this episode we play the first of three Fantasiestucke (Fantasy Pieces) by Robert Schumann. This piece was originally written for clarinet and piano but I think it sounds good on the cello. Schumann often wrote sets of miniatures that each have their own mood. In ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=101 On Monday the next episode will be released. It is the first of the Fantasy Pieces by Robert Schumann. Ross and I recorded it today. Please stay tuned. http://cellojourney.com/?p=100 Recently we saw the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich. He was a famous Russian cellist, pianist and conductor. You may have seen something on the news. I am deeply saddened. It will take me a while to sort out my thoughts and feelings. I could ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=99 YouTube Direct Download In this episode I play another dance by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is the Allemande from Suite No.2. What I like about this piece is how it flows along and how each phrase seems connected to another phrase. I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please leave comments or e-mail ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=98 The next episode should be out Monday. It will be the Allemande from Suite No.2 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Please stay tuned. Sorry about the delay.  The episode is almost ready but I had very little time this weekend to actually put in on the internet. http://cellojourney.com/?p=97 Today is the one year anniversary of Cello Journey. It was one year ago that the first episode appeared online. Since then there have been 23 episodes. Thousands of people have seen the videos. The videos have been viewed approximately 250,000 times. The music of Cello Journey ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=96 YouTube Direct Download In this episode we play the Allegro Appassionato by Camille Saint-Saens. This is a rather fast passionate and exciting piece. Part of its passion is in its abrupt changes of tempo and loudness. Even though it is exciting, it is in B minor and hence ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=94 In the next episode we will play the Allegro Appassionato by Camille Saint-Saens. It should be available this weekend. There were many requests for this and I am looking forward to playing it. It has some nice melodies and rhythms. Please stay tuned. The one year anniversary ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=93 YouTube Direct Download This prelude is the introduction to Suite No.2 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Even though this prelude is a bit sombre, I think it has a special warm mood to it. It communicates something about life being confusing at times and how it can be difficult to make ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=91 This weekend there should be a new episode of Bach. It is the Prelude from the Second Suite. It is in a minor key and is a bit sombre but I think it has a really special mood to it. I've been working on a Cello Journey DVD. ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=89 YouTube Direct Download The music for this episode is the chanson or song by Gabriel Faure called Apres un Reve (After a Dream). At the time Faure wrote this he was having a difficult time in his life. A woman that he loved broke off an engagement to him. ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=87 On behalf of me and Ross I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year! Thank you to everyone for watching Cello Journey, posting comments and sending e-mails. The next episode should come out during the first week of January. Luke http://cellojourney.com/?p=86 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #19, December 12, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/v/N4SEo0_O3BY In this episode I play the Gigue from the first suite by Johann Sebastian Bach.  It is a lively dance that ends the suite and also completes the suite on Cello Journey.  I hope you enjoy it. For feedback please e-mail ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=85 In the next episode it will be me playing the Gigue from Suite No.1 by Johann Sebastian Bach. This will complete the entire suite on Cello Journey. This week the Prelude from the first episode was used on a really wonderful and very popular video podcast called Rocketboom. You ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=83 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #18, November 21, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yqG2tGVCTw In this episode we play the 2nd half of Sonata No.4 by Ludwig van Beethoven that we started in an earlier episode. There is much care and detail that Beethoven put into this piece. There are tempo changes, ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=80 We are hoping to release an episode this weekend with the second half of the sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven that we started in Episode #15. Please stay tuned. Some things have come up and the episode will be delayed by a few days. Hopefully it will be out ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=79 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #17, October 27, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDnPM1N_aII This is a special Halloween episode of Cello Journey. Me and Ross play the Gnomentanz (Dance of The Gnomes) by David Popper. It is a somewhat menacing and spooky piece with a happy major section in the middle. Happy ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=77 Next week me and Ross will play a rather spooky Halloween surprise. I hope everyone watches. Photo ©iStockphoto.com/Jim Jurica http://cellojourney.com/?p=75 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #16, October 2, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/v/ZQGaxb1Rt4Q In this episode I play a dance by Johann Sebastian Bach called a Courante. There is only one more dance after this and then the first suite of dances by Bach will be complete on Cello Journey. I hope you ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=72 In the next episode I will play more solo music by Johann Sebastian Bach.  Ross is busy taking care of his new baby.  The episode should be out this Friday. http://cellojourney.com/?p=71 Ross's wife Carolyn gave birth to a baby girl! A big congratulations to both of you!!! http://cellojourney.com/?p=69 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #15, September 6, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnkZaIeDEg8 In this episode we play the first half of Sonata No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven. First there is a tender slower section and then a lively faster section. For feedback please e-mail cellojourney@gmail.com or leave comments. http://cellojourney.com/?p=65 In the next episode we will play music by Ludwig van Beethoven. I am really looking forward to it. It should be out on Thursday so please stay tuned. http://cellojourney.com/?p=64 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #14, August 21, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZFXxt9nvE The music for this episode is Papillon (Butterfly) by Gabriel Faure. Recently I happened to watch a butterfly in a field. It was either flying around quickly or it would land to rest and you could see its beautiful wings. ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=61 Today or tomorrow I will put up the next episode. It features a certain insect with large colorful wings. Please stay tuned. http://cellojourney.com/?p=60 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #13, August 14, 2006, Special Edition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRlIBtUMfW8 This is a special edition of Cello Journey. There is a pair of nice swans that live nearby and I thought I would put together a video of them along with the music of The Swan. They always ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=59 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #13, July 31, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLHc0m9FL3U In this episode we play a famous piece by the French composer Camille Saint-Saens called The Swan. It is a part of the Carnival of The Animals which is an orchestral suite but this is a section where the ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=57 The next episode should be out on Tuesday.  The music is named after a certain bird that likes to swim on water.  I received some requests to play it with piano. http://cellojourney.com/?p=56 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #12, July 15, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE39OHEdSqo The music for this episode is the Hungarian Rhapsody by David Popper. It contains a number of Hungarian melodies and songs. The video is a bit out of sync with the audio towards the end. I will fix this ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=54 The next episode should be out on Sunday. I am thinking of leaving a hint about it. It contains many folk melodies. I hope everyone watches it. http://cellojourney.com/?p=53 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #11, July 3, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLizPXFHOPk In this episode we play a piece by the French composer Gabriel Faure. It is the Elegy. This piece is well known among cellists and audiences and I received quite a few requests for it. We thought we would ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=50 The next episode should be out on Tuesday. The music will be a piece that has been requested a few times. It should be a neat episode.  Please enter your e-mail on the right to be notified when new episodes appear. http://cellojourney.com/?p=48 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #10, June 16, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58CeewSp5Wk The music for this episode is Village Song by David Popper. It has nice melodies and an innocent quality about it. Happy Father's Day to any dads that might be watching. Please leave comments or send e-mail to cellojourney@gmail.com ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=41 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #9, June 3, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ujdMYJhS_8 In this episode I am joined by a good friend and pianist Ross Inglis. The piece is Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov. It is originally for voice and piano and it is a song without words. http://cellojourney.com/?p=40 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #8, May 20, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LXLhVGwebc Since recently it was Mother's Day I thought I would play something related to this. It is a piece by David Popper called "Once Upon More Beautiful Days: In Memory of My Parents". I would like to dedicate it to ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=32 The next episode should be out by Friday. Since it was Mother's Day recently the music will be related to this. I am in the process of putting together the first Cello Journey DVD. Please write a comment or e-mail me at cellojourney@gmail.com and let me know what ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=30 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #7, May 7, 2006 YouTube In this episode I play another piece by David Popper. It is called a Tarantella. This type of dance comes from southern Italy. It is danced by couples and I think it is still played at some weddings to this ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=29 You can now play Cello Journey on your computer and also on an iPod Video. An iPod Edition is available through iTunes. Please send me an e-mail or post a comment as to whether everything is working ok. http://cellojourney.com/?p=27 YouTube Direct Download MP4 Direct Download iPod The music for this episode is a dance written by David Popper. He lived about one hundred years ago and he was fairly well known at the time. He travelled and performed on the cello and also wrote lots of cello music. He must have been ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=25 The next episode should be out some time this weekend.  It will be something a bit more fun and light.  Please stay tuned. http://cellojourney.com/?p=23 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #5, April 13, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gasOCGhYbD8 There are some holidays coming up so I thought I would play something more reflective and thoughtful. This is a dance called an Allamande, also by Bach. I always think of it as being a bit shy at the beginning ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=22 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #4, April 7, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoP2o6H4GO8 In this episode I play a slower dance also by Bach. It is called a Sarabande. You can try to imagine someone dancing to it if you like. Please keep the feedback and comments coming. I will try to make an ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=17 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #3, April 1, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7m0r-JskPc In this episode I play something more dance-like and folk-like. It is also by Bach. Thank you for the feedback and please keep sending it. I might play more Bach in the future since he wrote so much good music ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=14 Thank you for all the feedback. Your encouragement is very helpful and makes me want to make more of these! Please keep it coming. Also if you know other people that might want to see these please let them know. It is nice that they put the video ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=12 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #2, March 28, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdTqxc4lS5c The music in this episode is The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens. It is more singing in quality. This piece is normally played with a piano. Maybe in some future episodes I will bring other musicians onto the show to play ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=3 NEW Higher Quality Download ==> Cello Journey #1, March 27, 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6pIbTOZbKE In the first episode I play some Bach and introduce the video podcast. For now I just want to play for people. In the future there may be some slight changes with the format. Please visit cellojourney.com or send me ... http://cellojourney.com/?p=1