Classical music has been known to have a calming effect on people for centuries. Many people turn to classical music to relax after a long day at work or to help them sleep at night. But why is classical music so calming?
Robert Emery talks to John Rutter, composer and conductor best known for his choral compositions, including many Christmas carols and anthem. John talks about his process of composing, the commission to write an anthem for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and how tragedy stuck in 2001 with his son being killed in a road accident. He of course also answers a quick-fire round of questions culminating in the big question; Composing or Conducting?
It's Q&A time! I run this fun little escapade on my Facebook page, and I’ve decided to port some of the fabulous questions into this blog post. I’ll endeavour to keep it updated as and when I’m not painting my nails.
Hate is a strong word. I try to use it sparingly; cold-callers saying I've been involved in an accident when I haven't, people who sniff and don't use a tissue, computer viruses, and kumquats are all things I hate. Dubstep and Death Metal music I dislike, but can't say I have the passion of hatred for them. It consequently amazes me the number of people who say they hate classical music. Here and now I'm going to give you proof that classical music defamers unknowingly like the genre. There are five pieces that even the classical-haters secretly love, so if you ever meet said person, you can shove this article in their face and sing as loudly as possible DA DA DA DUUUUUUMMMMMMMM!
I thought it was time to change that, so here are three incredible composers you’ve never heard of - until now.
In this special episode of the 'Backstage with Robert Emery' podcast, RDCE discusses if the genre of classical music is alive and kicking, or if it's as dead as the press would like you to believe.
We all know our Beethoven to Beatles (the band, not the insect) and Mozart to Madonna (the singer, not the depiction of the little baby Jesus's Mother); but just like the TV market, we are scared to try an unknown brand, or in this case composer. We live in a world of celebrity; so if the composer is not well-known, then they're not a ‘celebrity’ and often overlooked or dismissed.
I thought it was time to change that, so here are three incredible composers you’ve never heard of - until now.
Easter has inspired some of the greatest works in classical music. First of all let’s get the whole religion thing out of the way; YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE RELIGIOUS TO ENJOY THIS MUSIC! Right. Now I’ve said that, in my humble option, here are five incredible Easter pieces you need to listen to before the boulder is moved for the 1986th time…
I am often asked what it's like to be a musician, and with respect, that's almost as broad as asking what it's like to be a human. I'm pretty confident that a day in the life of Robert Emery will be radically different from Puff Diddly, or Simon Cattle; yet we are all musicians, allegedly. So if the making of music is the only thing that connects us, what is it like to be this musician?
Today is a rather historic day in the life of RDCE, as today is the release of the first album I’ve ever done with a certain Mr Russell Watson...
Some videos of a project I composed, orchestrated and arranged for my company Arts Festivals Limited with Moritz Schneider. The Artist: SEVEN. The Venue: KKL, Luzern, Switzerland. The Dates: September 2011.
So, since May 2010 I’ve been living, breathing and working in Switzerland on a fantastic new production called Dallebach Kari das Musical. Since my time here, I’ve rehearsed in the cast of 60, conducted the 12 hour click-track session, written the songbook to be printed and published in all good bookshops and music stores, played 28 shows, organised the recording of the rhythm section, created new click-tracks for the production in Zurich 2011...
Edinburgh was certainly an experience – I ended up performing every night (well morning actually, 2am to 5am!)... Now onto the Great Composers Concert Series...