Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 It is good.Discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 It is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Speaking about the Yo-Yo album, right?Yeah, it's a nice piece. Once again trees get the inspiration flowing from ol' Johnny. It's also a more 'open' piece after the rather challenging "Three Pieces for Solo Cello", which have too much grit for their own good, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamsStarShip2282 308 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 It's absolutely marvelous, one of his finest works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Has more than one performance of Heartwood been recorded and released? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Nope! I'm not certain it's ever even been performed anywhere other than on that album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Ah ok, cool. Well here it is on Spotify US for anyone who wants to listen to it http://open.spotify.com/album/2800bR51TkUq4zpIAF2EBT]http://open.spotify.com/album/2800bR51TkUq4zpIAF2EBT]http://open.spotify.com/album/2800bR51TkUq4zpIAF2EBT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yeah, I think it was pretty much an 'album piece' from the get-go as Williams needed material to fill up the Yo-Yo disc once the project was launched -- inspired by a book about trees that he got around this time. I've never heard of any public performances of the work myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 3, 2015 Which is absolutely criminal. The score should be published as well. This piece's relative anonymity is much more egregious to me than that of the symphony or piano sonata or 7 For Luck. WilliamsStarShip2282, SteveMc and Gnome in Plaid 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Nope! I'm not certain it's ever even been performed anywhere other than on that album.(http://gonewengland.about.com/library/bltanglewood2002.htm) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome in Plaid 219 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Nope! I'm not certain it's ever even been performed anywhere other than on that album.Capture.PNG(http://gonewengland.about.com/library/bltanglewood2002.htm)Can you make me a time machine so I can go back and see that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 They were clearly promoting the shit out of the CD release with that program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 It took a while for me to get this piece as it is somewhat introverted but I have grown to love the haunting mood painting Williams does in Heartwood. The slow rising sonorities at the beginning and the lovely cello solo parts. While not programmatic the piece has always sparked my imagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Which is absolutely criminal. The score should be published as well. This piece's relative anonymity is much more egregious to me than that of the symphony or piano sonata or 7 For Luck.Well, at least we have a recording of Heartwood, unlike the others. But yeah, I know what you mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 It took a while for me to get this piece as it is somewhat introvertedAre you an extravert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 It took a while for me to get this piece as it is somewhat introvertedAre you an extravert?When the mood strikes me.I took a listen to this piece just now and I have to say I really love the whole spectrum of moods it goes through in its running time ending in a vintage Williams conjured sense of serenity and peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 one my least favourite Williams pieces along with Pickin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 Naturally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 They are nice, but not as good as his more fanfaric stuff. Which is ultimately where JW's true heart lies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 How can you know that?If the fanfaric stuff is where Williams' "true heart" lies, then wouldn't he be writing more of that stuff right now, instead of music like this?It may be the music that you prefer, but that doesn't mean that's the music that Williams truly speaks through.But we have been through this argument before. JWFan is a flat circle after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 KM and I know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 They are nice, but not as good as his more fanfaric stuff. Which is ultimately where JW's true heart lies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 How can you know that?If the fanfaric stuff is where Williams' "true heart" lies, then wouldn't he be writing more of that stuff right now, instead of music like this?It may be the music that you prefer, but that doesn't mean that's the music that Williams truly speaks through.But we have been through this argument before. JWFan is a flat circle after all!It may not be where his 'true heart' lies, whatever that means, but it could be called his forte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Sure. But the implication was that that was the kind of music Willaims enjoys writing most, which is something I'd argue against. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 I wouldn't call it his forte either. I'd call it his most visible work that is most generally liked because of the associated films. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 It's subjective really. If you enjoy his fanfare/blockbuster stuff most, that's cool. You'd probably consider that his forte. I've personally found more enjoyment in other facets of his musical voice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 It is not subjective! I am right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I wouldn't call it his forte either. I'd call it his most visible work that is most generally liked because of the associated films.Do you think those films would have been as well liked without Williams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 It works both ways, but the point is that the films/franchises are what penetrate popular culture and the music piggybacks along with it, whether or not it had a fundamental role in how good the things were in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Big brassy numbers, sweeping love themes, and catchy hooks are attention getters for the general public. They're more easily recyclable in other mediums as well (TV spots, commercials, etc), further reinforcing their popularity and association with that composer. It's completely natural for any composer to be known for those types of moments in their output. Beethoven is known primarily for the opening of his 5th symphony and the ode to joy. That's not an accident.As hard has it is to believe, these things may not necessarily come completely natural to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 WHY DO YOU NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS MUSIC????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,372 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Why don't YOU start us off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Very well!Sharky, Ludwig, karelm, tedfud... whoever! Let's begin by tracking the primary motives in the piece and sketching out a rough form, shall we?I'll also reiterate my most asked question, knowing the answer... doesn't anyone have access to this score? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,018 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I need to re-listen. It's been at least 5 years for me.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 OK I'll wax poetic for you TGP!I think I have from the start associated this music with the colour blue. I guess it is the way all these sonorities paint images of forest (yes this association comes from the title of the piece) in the slowly setting dusk (purely from JWs wonderful atmospheric orchestrations). I love how Williams initially just mood paints with the orchestra and the sounds keep building into that slight crescendo of slightly dissonant chords from the ensemble. It takes some time for the cello to come in and then it is suddenly there gently singing atop these wafting layers of sound, winding nimbly on in solo rumination.The noble yearning passage starting around 7:15 that then grows into a passionate exclamation and that gorgeous surging string line is tremendously beautiful and keeps building and building almost fiercely. And then it comes back to the cello. Yo-Yo Ma's performance is warm and resonant as usual and I mean here resonating with the listener emotionally. There is such warmth to his playing (here and elsewhere on the album) and I think Williams really knows the performer and his strengths in and out so he instinctively writes such beautiful passages for cello in singing register specifically to Ma.As with many of Williams's concert works the ending is has such eloquent feel of inevitability and I would not want to say resignation but rather of serene acceptance. The lingering peaceful mood of the last cello phrases is vintage JW, akin to ending the piece with a warm smile.Above I said it already but this piece took a while to open to me but it has become a favourite of mine over the years. Dixon Hill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Wonderful!The opening harmonies always give me an image of a misty, rainy forest, similarly, though if there's a coloristic association for me it's more of several shades of green.Love how he takes his time opening the piece, with more than three minutes going by before the soloist enters. And that entrance is one of the most sublime musical moments I'm aware of. I hesitate to say anything more about it. Incidentally this piece features the only orchestrational decision of Williams' that makes me raise my eyebrows a bit. Maybe it's just that I hold the piece to such a high standard, the slightest thing sticks out... but it always seems a bit jarring to have that slight violin solo a few bars before the cello enters. It's just slightly odd to hear a solo string voice other than the featured one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Incidentally this piece features the only orchestrational decision of Williams' that makes me raise my eyebrows a bit. Maybe it's just that I hold the piece to such a high standard, the slightest thing sticks out... but it always seems a bit jarring to have that slight violin solo a few bars before the cello enters. It's just slightly odd to hear a solo string voice other than the featured one.Ah I actually noted the same thing as I listened to the piece just now. I have to admit I wondered about that decision myself this time around. It felt odd as it is such a short cameo anyway. I guess JW thought cello needed to be heralded by another string solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 That's it! The piece sucks. Close the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,018 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Trees again? F**k this s**t!Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 That's it! The piece sucks. Close the thread.You are one fickle customer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 I feel this is John's most autobiographical piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Not enough fanfares! He is most himself when writing fanfares!Btw I am now listening to the 3 Pieces for Solo Cello from the Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams album. I guess my tastes have changed as I also really dig these pieces now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Yes, Fanfare For Ten Year Olds is much closer to his heart. You can tell. crlbrg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,518 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Yes, Fanfare For Ten Year Olds is much closer to his heart. You can tell.Or better yet -- "Fanfare for Michael Dukakis". I don't know WHAT he was thinking with that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Yes, Fanfare For Ten Year Olds is much closer to his heart. You can tell.Or better yet -- "Fanfare for Michael Dukakis". I don't know WHAT he was thinking with that one.Michael Dukakis obviously.I am envious I haven't had a fanfare composed for me by John Williams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Did Williams have a "Rock Us Dukakis" bumper sticker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Did Williams have a "Rock Us Dukakis" bumper sticker?I am sure this will be the most burning question in the mind of the Williams scholars of the future. This and no other. Gnome in Plaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 All right Hal Leonard people. Stop screwing around and publish this. I know you're reading. Gnome in Plaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 I was able to get the William Guion book from the local public library, the one that inspired this piece. Anyone else seen this? Actually a very nice book. Never read any Rumi poetry before, but it is nice, and of course the pictures are gorgeous. Interestingly, despite Guion featuring many color photos on his website, this book is entirely in black and white. Perhaps that informed JW's choice of darker, more mysterious colors rather than an outwardly joyful tone. Anyway, here's the cover (sorry for these being out of order): Page near the end: First page: Last page: EDIT: @TheGreyPilgrim, you might be interested. Marcus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,670 Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 I don't hear anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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