Thursday, September 10, 2009

Lola Astanova

Youtube homepage: http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaAstanova

This is a very passionate young pianist with amazing skills, power and speed. She's also good in composition. The following two are in the style of Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, which in her words, is a kind of music joke of distorted baroque/classical arrangement.

Here's her version on Rihanna's "Don't stop the music":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqorloj2YZY
I can listen to this many times without stop, without feel bored.

Another one of her version on Madonna's "Music":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pfeohQSaS8

Rachmaninoff Moment Musicaux No. 4 in E:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEd8AZX5dQ

Lola was born in former USSR. She started learning piano at 6 and began on-stage performance at 8. She received MS in piano major from Rice University and now resides in New York.

Other very good young female pianists include Valentina Lisitsa and Valentina Igoshina. But I'd prefer Lola Astanova.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Adiemus

What is "Adiemus"?

It's the title of a series of albums by British composer Karl Jenkins.
See wiki page on Adiemus.

I like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL8kZ-iVk90
I have heard this music at a bookstore but couldn't find out what music it was.
Now I know.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Some pop songs on guitar

Take Me Home Country Road (John Denver)
Yesterday Once More (guitar solo, Vocal by Carpenters) (Richard Carpenter, John Bettis)
Edelweiss (From Sound of Music)
Romance Of Love
Green Sleeves
Red River Valley (solo1, solo 2)
Canon in D (solo 1, solo 2) (Pachelbel)
龙的传人
青春
同桌的你
Also lots of songs by 罗大佑, e.g., 童年