Friday, February 27, 2009

The true sound of Music

The true sound of music

One often hears people say that the sound produced from a musical instrument is only as good or as bad as the skill or quality of the man playing it. Although one cannot discard this statement as worth nothing and reject it right away, it also holds true at the same time that while choosing a musical instrument and keeping in mind the precise kind of sound one wants to produce, the entire selection procedure becomes very important. That is why it is extremely crucial to go for one particular brand of manufacturers instead of others.
The Yamaha Corporation from Japan has proved itself to be one of the most respectable and leading names in the musical or rather instrumental circuit for more than a period of one hundred years now. Although, today it is a major multinational company with a wide range of industrial products to its name, it remains for a fact that it originated as a manufacturer of musical instruments like pianos and organs way back in 1887. Its amazing range of products include a wide variety of musical instruments such as pianos, organs, guitars, bass guitars, drums, violins, celli and different kinds of brass instruments and has certainly contributed to the fact that Yamaha is the worlds largest producer of musical instruments. The electric piano by Yamaha is definitely worth a special mention amongst everything else.
Although formed in 1962 and thus can be considered really a teenager compared to Yamaha, the other Japanese corporate that should be mentioned while talking about quality musical instruments is definitely Korg Corporation. Presently among the topmost manufacturers of electronic tuners and musical instruments, Korg remains as one of the most revered name in musical circuit all across the globe. The i3 Interactive Music Workstation in 1993 is still considered to be among the list of groundbreaking products manufactured by Korg. It was its first professional arranger with an A12 engine tone generator. Interestingly, as the primary supplier of material like circuitry and other mechanical parts, Yamaha Corporation has always played an extremely significant role as a business partner of Korg. In fact, in an amicable agreement in 1987, Yamaha also acquired certain percentage of shares and controlling rights of the organization. However, due to their tremendous commercial success in the following years, by 1993 most of the stock was bought back.

Friday, February 20, 2009

World's Best Symphonist



World’s Best Symphonist

The title of world’s best symphonist is a much debated topic. Names that are often considered include musical greats that are scattered throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Candidates that are suggested the most are Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827, Germany), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893, Russia), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791, Austria). All three of these symphonists are unique and their styles differ considerably.

Beethoven

Beethoven is known for many things other than for being a virtuoso on the piano. Inspired by Joseph Haydn Beethoven developed complex themes using changes in key and tempo. Beethoven’s music also demonstrates a masterful and innovative use of forceful, stark, and marked rhythm patterns. Using these devices Beethoven crafted symphonies with unrivalled emotional and dramatic impact. Many believe that for these reasons Beethoven is the world’s best symphonist.

Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky was commonly criticized throughout the 20th century for his powerful and sometimes overbearing work but recently has been recognized as one of the great symphonists. Tchaikovsky revolutionized the state of classical music with his creative use of repetition and unorthodox harmony arrangements. Tchaikovsky often created great contrast in his work by tapping into the delicate nature of treble instruments and then transitioning into an exploration of very deep and powerful bass instruments. For Tchaikovsky’s unique contributions to the musical world he is often touted as the world’s best symphonist.

Mozart

A true pioneer, Mozart helped develop and popularize the piano concerto and had a large impact on the musical theory of the day with his work. Known for the balance, clarity, and harmony in his work Mozart performed for royalty from a young age and inspired many other symphonists including Beethoven and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Mozart was also noted for his incredible ability to absorb and borrow from other composer’s work and styles to the betterment of his own work. Often studied by anyone aspiring to go into classical music, Mozart is definitely a prime candidate for the world’s best symphonist.

Declaring someone as the world’s best symphonist is an incredibly complex task. Music is a subjective art and is highly influenced by perception and bias. A symphonist may be declared as the best technical writer, or perhaps the as the writer who most invoked emotion with his work, but to elevate one as superior as a whole over all of the rest is impossible. Rest assured that the three listed here could all be the best, and enjoy their work for what it is – greatness.