Even 2019

From the onset, the music in Das Lied von der Erde is permeated by a special mood. Even the texts, based on Far Eastern poetry, are more mood than content. Mahler repeatedly abandons the words’ meaning, but the mood remains. The music implies so much more than the words! For instance, the third poem evokes the reflection of a mirror image in water, but I don’t see those images anywhere in the music. Mahler is not concerned with helping us understand every syllable. If the voice, in its anguish, is drowned out by the orchestra, that is what the music is trying to achieve. Throughout a great number of passages, “beautiful tone” is not what is important. To the contrary. In Das Lied von der Erde, the singers are likewise required to declaim, cry, and shriek. I think that even those concertgoers who have no command of the German language have no problem in gaining a quite precise grasp of what is going on…

Some time ago, reading the first pages of Proust’s A la recherche du temps perdu, I recalled that Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco had devoted an entire Chapter of his autobiographical memoirs1 to Proust. I immediately looked for that Chapter and reread it, intrigued. It focuses on summer 1928, most of which was spent by the composer lying on a hammock and reading all the volumes of the Recherche, while on holiday with his family in a bungalow at Forte dei Marmi.

I’ve been with State Faults since day one. And I’m not trying to flex or humblebrag, I just want to illustrate my connection with the band. State Faults used to be called Brother Bear. They put out a dreamy and ethereal EP called Head in The Clouds. Then they changed their name to State Faults and put out two exceptional post-hardcore records. And then they took a break, and I never expected them to put out another record. I was content with their body of work, screamo bands tend to be short-lived and I viewed those two records and EP as a blessing. State Faults were one of my favorite bands. And until Clairvoyant, I and others used to have to bug people to "please check out this band and take my word for it that they’re great." I'd tell people "Hey, the music is really tight, it’s harsh but weirdly soothing at the same time, and the singer’s voice is unreal!" This plea was usually effective - you can gander at the averages for State Faults’ previous work on this very site to see the proof - but it always took some nudging and convincing. Presently State Faults has proved it’s great. I don’t have to bug anymore, this album is blowing up on its own, and that’s a testament to just how fantastic it is. 6/20/19 is day one of a new era for State Faults - an era of soaking up new fans like a sponge. After years of toiling in the underground, two records, a break, touring, and sleeping on floors State Faults have broken through, all on the strength of this record. I’ve been here since day one, but right now is the best time to be a State Faults' fan.

The “Art of the Fugue” is J. S. Bach’s last major work and it represents without any doubt the culmination of his creativity. Bach was involved in its composition in the last 2 years of his life – he was unable however to complete it, as he was forced to stop working, because he lost his vision, whilst composing the last fugue shortly before his death in July 1750. His son Carl Philipp Emanuel wrote the following emotive note on the manuscript of this “quadruple” fugue: “During the composition of this Fugue, and at the point where B-A-C-H appears as a counter-subject, the composer passed away.” We should remind that in the German notation the letter B represents B flat and the letter H represents B natural).

Its the most wonderful time of year to be a music fan. The full list of 2019 Grammy nominees was announced by Alessia Cara, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monae, and Zane Lowe. And even though the big event wont air until Feb. 10, 2019 on CBS, seeing so many of your favorite artists vying for trophies is enough to get anyone excited for what's sure to be an amazing night for the music industry. As usual there are plenty of infuriating snubs and cheer-worthy nominees, even with the expanded number of nods in the major categories. Even if your favorite artist didn't make the cut, this is one award show that truly is unmissable thanks to the promise of unforgettable performances. Keep that in mind as you peruse the full list of 2019 Grammys nominations.

Listening to a live recording of a concert is an enthralling moment of communion with the artists, even after years. No studio recording, where the result aimed at making an unnatural highest perfection, can communicate the electricity of a “live” performance, even with some bumps in the road or without optimal sound conditions. With this series, we hope to revive the emotions that have accompanied our presence at the concert hall, in close proximity with great artists and great music.