Gaspard De La Nuit: A Kalmus Classic Edition [Paperback] Review

I am a collegiate piano student, and many established pianists have told me that this is the definative edition of Gaspard de la nuit.I purchased it, and was simply amazed by its quality.There are pages of background information on Ravel, and lots of helpful performance and musical suggestions.There are also a number of errors in previous editions that are pointed out concisely in the score.One of the most helpful additions to the music are the suggestive (and sometimes the only feasible) fingerings that are provided, which can ease the pain of learning this immensely challenging music.

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Product Description:
Gaspard de la nuit Brand: Alfred Publishing Model Number: 00-K09955

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Carmen (Simm)(2P4H) [Mass Market Paperback] Review

Bizet's CARMEN OVERTURE is well known and frequently used in the occasion that a champion comes out.In my opinion,Carmen is a champion,a champion of love,a champion of freedom.Mérimée,the author of CARMEM,describes Carmen as a sparkish and abandoned woman,searching for true love and sticking to freedom.In this book, Mérimée narrates how he ran across Don Jose' and the whole story between Don Jose' and Carmen.Don Jose',a soldier,falls in love with Carmen,a prisoner who kills a woman worker,when he is on his way to send her to prison.He gives her reins in spite of being punished.He becomes a bandit and killer so as to stay with her and please her.He kills her eventually for preventing her from loving someone else.It is a tragic ending.And I am deeply shocked.But if not for the death of Carmen,her spirit of chasing freedom can't be that striking.
There are two plots that make me consider a lot:
1.FOR OBTAINING CARMEN,DON JOSE' KILLS A SUBALTERN.
He was injured,and Carmen took good care of him until he recovered.I am moved for it.Someone may say Carmen has many lovers,and her love to Don Jose' is not true love.But I can't agree with it.From this part,we can see clearly that her love is of ligeance.Why she risked her life to save Don Jose',just for exploiting him sometime?Absolutely not.Don't forget Carmen can let any man do anything.Don Jose' is puny,but her love is significant.It can be confirmed in the latter part.When they were attacked by the army,Don Jose' was unfortunately shot,and Carmen looked after him patiently and attentively,without sleeping.She did love him with every beat of her heart.It must be noticed that only one time Carmen's crying was mentioned and this was the first time Don Jose' had seen her weep.Carmen stole Mérimée's watch but failed to get his ring for the prevention of Don Jose'.And then they quarrelled.Don Jose' beat her.A woman who is beat will cry,but a woman who cries is not certainly beat.Personaly I think Carmen cried for love,not for the beat.
2.FOR OCCUPYING CARMEN,DON JOSE' KILLS HER.
Here,the story comes to climax.Even when Don Jose' took out a knife to threaten her,Carmen did not quail a bit.she took off the ring he had given to her and threw it into the jungle.Finally,he thrust into her heart...She died for her freedom,and her freedom survived.I don't think one should give up freedom in order to love someone.Carmen is a classic example.She prefers being killed to staying with Don Jose'.Her love is for freedom,and her freedom is for love.She will love whom gives her freedom.Free love is unselfish.Don Jose' can't give her free love,and longs to occupy her on his own,so he is doomed to fail.
So,do remember that Real Love is a rational emotion!

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Product Description:
Carmen is a multi-movement work, and this arrangement provides all the lustre from the original orchestral score equally shared by the two pianists, creating a most exciting performance piece. Movements may be performed separately, thus making it a bit more simple to learn, or it may be performed in its entirety. Sure to be a big hit with two-piano teams.

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The Big Book of Soul (Big Book of Songs) [Paperback] Review

I ordered this for my boyfriend expecting there to be a lot of great classic hits, but there weren't. Maybe a quarter to a third of the songs were recognizable to us, and we listen to a lot soul music on the oldies stations and such.

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Product Description:
Stop your soul searching: all your favorite songs are right here! This fantastic collection features 71 soul classics: Get Up (I Feel like Being) A Sex Machine * Green Onions * Groovin' * I Can't Stop Loving You * I Got You (I Feel Good) * I Heard It Through the Grapevine * I'll Take You There * In the Midnight Hour * Let's Get It On * Lonely Teardrops * Mustang Sally * My Girl * (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman * Papa's Got a Brand New Bag * Respect * Theme from Shaft * (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay * Soul Man * Stand by Me * Superstition * (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher * and more.

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Pop/Rock - Note-for-Note Keyboard Transcriptions Review

This book is exactly what the title says it is: accurate note-for-note transcriptions of pop/rock songs.It doesn't have the typical cheesy arrangements with the vocal line mixed into the piano part.It also doesn't have guitar songs that don't quite work on the piano.All the songs have prominent piano/keyboard parts, and every one I've tried is faithful to the original.Since the melody is typically not in the piano, you do need to be able to sing along or have a friend who can sing.But the result sounds much, much better than just about any other piano book I've bought.If you like at least a few of the songs in the book, you will not be disappointed!

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Product Description:
35 note-for-note transcriptions for those who want to play exactly what they hear on recordings. Songs include: Africa * Against All Odds * Axel F * Centerfold * Chariots of Fire * Cherish * Don't Let the Sun Go down on Me * Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) * Faithfully * It's Too Late * Just the Way You Are * Let It Be * Mandy * Sailing * Sweet Dreams Are Made of This * Walking in Memphis.

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A Touch of Romance (WB Solo Library) [Paperback] Review

My all-time favorite piano piece to play is Le Salon de Musique by Eugenie Rocherolle, so when I saw a whole book of romantic music by her, I had to have it. These pieces are just want I had hoped they would be. Her ability to mix up chords to hold an eerily enchanting tone is just the signature feel I want in the romantic pieces I so enjoy playing. I took 7 years of actual classical piano lessons and have dappled in it for the last 4 or so years, so I would say for a mid to late intermediate player these pieces are just the right amount of challenging.I could sight-read through them slowly and decide the first time through that Souvenirs de Paris was going to be my favorite piece.Each song is only a few pages long, and they are quite different from one another (I think one of them has a Russian feel) making learning them much more enjoyable than a long strenuous journey toward playing perfection.

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Product Description:
A new edition of Rocherolle's Three Mazurkas and Three Waltzes, previously printed individually. Some have been re-engraved, and all updated for today's student. These pieces offer students fresh material for study and recital, and will challenge them more musically than technically. A must for every piano studio.

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RODE NT1000 Vocal Condenser Microphone Review

I went shopping for a Rode NT1.Rode mics use superb capsules mounted in machined housings you could drive a truck over, and the NT1 is a great mic for male vocals.The guy at the store suggested the NT1000.I recorded myself on both, and there wasn't much difference, but the 1000 just sounded a little smoother.But, the NT1 had a painted finish (may have changed since), made out of aluminum.When you screw the mount on it feels rough, like screwing in a light bulb with an aluminum base.The NT1000, though, feels rich and expensive, a nickel-steel finish (I guess) more like the expensive Neumanns.And when you screw the parts together they feel precise and elegant.It was a hundred bucks more than the NT1, but with the slightly nicer sound, and the much nicer look and handling feel, it seemed worth it.

The only problem I've had with it is weight.It's fairly heavy, and can't be extended very far on my boom stand without falling over.

Great dynamic range, low noise, very detailed.

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Product Description:
The Rode NT1000 brings new standards to the recording industry.When today's musicians and recording engineers demand clarity and dynamic range, they demand large capsule performance. The Rode NT1000 is superior in both vocal and instrumental performances. Voiced forapplication versatility, the NT1000 has been hailed by many as the ultimate drum over-head and grand piano mic selection. The NT1000 is also equally at home as a first call vocal mic. With its Australian made 1 inch HF-2 capsule incorporating internal shock mounting, the NT1000 boasts a 134 dB dynamic range, and 140 dBA SPL capabilities and a 20 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response. Includes mic stand mount, and zippered pouch.Rode NT1000 FeaturesHF2 1 inch capsule with gold-plated diaphragmUltra low-noise transformerless circuitryCardioid polar patternHeavy-duty cast metal satin nickel bodyHigh-strength welded and heat-treated mesh headInternal capsule shock-mountingTrue externally biased condenserFull frequency response

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Chamber Music of Robert Schumann [Paperback] Review

This is a wonderful edition, including all of Schumann's chamber music (excluding duo sonatas) in one book (no-one else does this!) for a very low price. It is a great study-score; as a performance score, the only downside is the lack of parts (which can be photocopied).
The famous Piano Quintet, the Quartet, the three trios and three string quartets cover a vast range of moods; the melancholy D minor trio is my favourite, especially the scherzo movement. This score is a must-have.

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Product Description:
Superb collection of three trios, four quartets, and piano quintet. Breitkopf & Härtel edition.

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