James, I write to you with a great blessing: the album "Melting Songs" by artist Vilde Tuv: A holy matrimony of trance and the recorder. She does not sing during the album at all: she sings with the recorder.
As I cannot describe this music with words, but am really keen to convice you and other lovers of the recorder to discover this gem!!! You will not regret it.
"Aesthetically, the album pulls synth lines and patterns from 00’s trance and rave but forgoes setting these familiar rushes against any sort of typical percussion. Instead, it’s set against tranquil compositions of nature sounds and meditative melodies sung by the wooden recorder."
Total agreement with you about the joys and beauties of the recorder. I have loved medieval and renaissance music since WAY back when I was in college in the 1970's. Play on, James! Carry that torch!
I loved this post James! I live in the UK and we have a similar approach to learning music in primary school by teaching kids the recorder. I always loved it and when I was in secondary school and studying for my A Levels (final exams before leaving school to head to university) I needed to play a 2nd instrument in a music practical exam....
I chose to play the recorder and I played a Grade 5 music oboe piece. My teacher thought I was mad and the examiner was like "this is the first time in my history I've seen a recorder be played in this exam!"
But I did it, and I had a A grade in my practical.
I’ve been waiting for this opinion my whole life and only realized it recently. I’ve always loved Medieval/Renaissance era music and when it registered that a lot of it was recorder I like…almost couldn’t register that it could be true at first. Thank you for exposing the truth we all need.
A super talented contemporary recorder composer is Pieter campo. He wrote a very popular piece called kardos, here’s a link to his incredible improv on it that really shows what recorders can do. https://youtu.be/GTRPPwpMJ4Q?si=F4TFfTgK7CWgV4ur
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME! I have been privileged to attend a few recorder recitals, especially as part of a local Early Music Festival. Good recorder playing is lovely.
I learned clarinet for a year in my 50's but didn't practice much. I LOVE the sound of the oboe, but am concerned that it might be technically difficult? Maybe a 20€ recorder is the thing for me??
James, I write to you with a great blessing: the album "Melting Songs" by artist Vilde Tuv: A holy matrimony of trance and the recorder. She does not sing during the album at all: she sings with the recorder.
As I cannot describe this music with words, but am really keen to convice you and other lovers of the recorder to discover this gem!!! You will not regret it.
"Aesthetically, the album pulls synth lines and patterns from 00’s trance and rave but forgoes setting these familiar rushes against any sort of typical percussion. Instead, it’s set against tranquil compositions of nature sounds and meditative melodies sung by the wooden recorder."
https://theplayground.co.uk/with-melting-songs-vilde-tuv-sings-folksongs-at-the-rave/
Can't wait to listen to this thank you!
I got really deep into some substack archives while not working today and saw this comment and the album is indeed extraordinary! I looooove it!!
Total agreement with you about the joys and beauties of the recorder. I have loved medieval and renaissance music since WAY back when I was in college in the 1970's. Play on, James! Carry that torch!
I loved this post James! I live in the UK and we have a similar approach to learning music in primary school by teaching kids the recorder. I always loved it and when I was in secondary school and studying for my A Levels (final exams before leaving school to head to university) I needed to play a 2nd instrument in a music practical exam....
I chose to play the recorder and I played a Grade 5 music oboe piece. My teacher thought I was mad and the examiner was like "this is the first time in my history I've seen a recorder be played in this exam!"
But I did it, and I had a A grade in my practical.
#TeamRecorder
Yes!! #TeamRecorder <3
I’ve been waiting for this opinion my whole life and only realized it recently. I’ve always loved Medieval/Renaissance era music and when it registered that a lot of it was recorder I like…almost couldn’t register that it could be true at first. Thank you for exposing the truth we all need.
Now it's time to play one yourself
A super talented contemporary recorder composer is Pieter campo. He wrote a very popular piece called kardos, here’s a link to his incredible improv on it that really shows what recorders can do. https://youtu.be/GTRPPwpMJ4Q?si=F4TFfTgK7CWgV4ur
I hope I'll play this piece some day!
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME! I have been privileged to attend a few recorder recitals, especially as part of a local Early Music Festival. Good recorder playing is lovely.
I learned clarinet for a year in my 50's but didn't practice much. I LOVE the sound of the oboe, but am concerned that it might be technically difficult? Maybe a 20€ recorder is the thing for me??
Oboe is notoriously difficult! Recorder is worth a shot, maybe you'll really vibe with it!
I love listening to this. You rock, James.
I love the way you play the recorder. You rock, my friend.