Lexi Z

In this week's edition of "What the Heck Are They Singing?" we take a look at the famous Neapolitan song, "Funiculi, Funicula". You likely know the tune to this song, but how much do you know about the background of it? In this video we'll take a look at why this song was written, the "product" it was advertising, and of course, whatever the heck the lyrics are trying to say! Music Used Liebeslieder Walzer, Op 52 no 6 - Brahms Waltz in B minor, Op 69 no 2 - Chopin Waltz in D flat major, Op 64 no 1 - Chopin Fantasia - John Dowland Waltz in A flat major, Op 69 no 1 - Chopin

We've all heard it before, someone steps up to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" before an important event, and everyone braces for either a wonderful or a terrible performance. But why is it about this song that causes so many people to trip up? In this week's video we talk about the hidden factors that make this song more difficult than most people realize, for both amateurs and professionals alike! Music Used Liebeslieder Waltz Op 52 no 6 - Brahms Fantasia - John Dowland Lady Walsingham's Conceite - Daniel Bacheler El Grillo - Josquin

You ever hear a song that bugs you so much, you feel the need to do something about it? That was me recently, when I came across this song on... a milk carton? Keep watching as I dust off my music theory skills to attempt to fix this song while not driving myself crazy in the process! Music Used Waltz in B minor, Op 69 no 2 Waltz in D flat major, Op 64 no 1 Waltz in A flat major, Op 69 no 1 Waltz in C sharp minor, Op 64 no 2

KK Slider sure has written a lot of songs, but how would their personalities line up in a D&D alignment chart? In this week's video we answer the questions you never asked about the Animal Crossing KK Slider songs to truly find out which one is the most wholesome, and which ones are the most cursed. Music Used Blue Dream - Cheel Papov - Yung Logos Nilly Willy - Yung Logos Contact High - RKCV

In this week's video I took a number of click-baity internet quizzes to learn things about my personality. Such as "What composer am I?" or "What opera is about me?". What am I going to learn about myself? Is there even a right answer? Why am I even doing this right now? Keep watching to find out! Music Used Oh By Jingo! - All Star Trio Local Forecast - Kevin MacLeod The Great One-Step - Victor Dance Orchestra Waltz in B minor Op. 64 no 2 - Chopin Liebeslieder Waltz Op. 54 no 6 - Brahms Waltz in A flat major Op. 69 no 1 - Chopin

Prior to this, my experience with contemporary classical music has been pretty limited. It's certainly not something I regularly went out and listened to on my own. That's why I decided to spend a day listening to contemporary classical music, to find out what it's really about. Join me as I turn a boring day of household chores into insightful commentary on a genre of music that caught me off guard! Music Used Liebesliederwalzen Op 52 no 6 - Brahms Scenes From Childhood Op 15 XI. Frightening - Robert Schumann Lotus Land Op 47 no. 1 - Cyril Scott Preludes Book 1 III. Le vent dans la plaine - Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - Debussy Gymnopedie no 1 - Satie Two Romanian Folk Dances no 1 - Bartok 3 Pieces Op 2 no 1. Etude in C sharp minor - Scriabin Estampes L. 100 I. Pagodes - Debussy Waltz in B minor. Op 69 no 2 - Chopin Waltz in A flat major, Op 69 no 1 - Chopin Attributions Lotus Land/Markus Staab/CC-BY-3.0 https://musopen.org/music/43991-lotus-land-op-47-no-1/ Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun/Natalia Ensemble/CC-BY-3.0 https://musopen.org/music/42994-prelude-to-the-afternoon-of-a-faun/

Did you know what's special about the movie Cinderella? Besides the magic of course. You probably know the song "Sing Sweet Nightingale" from the movie, but did you know how innovative the technology was for music recording at it's time? In this week's video we go over the "hidden" history behind the music of Cinderella, and briefly discuss how music used to be created and edited back in the analog era. Link to Ilene Woods Interview Full Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Prjci0Hu4 Sing Sweet Nightingale Timestamp: https://youtu.be/i6Prjci0Hu4?t=102 Music Used The Great One Step - Victor Dance Orchestra Shake It and Break It - Lanin's Southern Seranaders Who's Sorry Now - Memphis Five April Showers - Eddie Elkin's Orchestra Oh By Jingo! - All Star Trio Sources and Citations Woods, Ilene. "Ilene Woods Talks With Cinderella: Working With Walt". By The Walt Disney Family Museum. Apr 17, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Prjci0Hu4 Paul, Les. "Disc to Disc Breakthrough." Les Paul. Les Paul Foundation https://www.les-paul.com/sound-on-sound/#:~:text=Les%20Paul%27s%20many%20recording%20innovations,recorder%20was%20the%20most%20revolutionary.&text=This%20opens%20in%20a%20new%20window Dreosti, Janis. "The Emergence of Multitrack Recording." National Museums Liverpool. National Museums Liverpool. https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/emergence-of-multitrack-recording Sibley, Brian. "Ilene Woods Obituary." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited, July 19th 2010 https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/jul/19/ilene-woods-obituary Abrams, Steve and Settlemier, Tyrone. "MERCURY 78rpm numerical listing discography: 5000 - 5500." The Online Discographical Project. The Online Discographical Project, November 30th, 2014 http://78discography.com/Merc050.htm Holden, Stephen and New York Times News Service. "Patti Page Was 1st to Overdub Voice." Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribue, July 21st 1988 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-21-8801160604-story.html IMDb. "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met." IMDb. IMDb.com https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039109/

There's translations of lyrics, and then there's English "versions" of songs. In this week's video we talk about what can get lost in translation, when a song is translated from one language to another. While there's nothing wrong with a lyric interpretation or translation, if understanding the original meaning of song is what's important to you, you're probably better off with a direct translation. Music Used Oh By Jingo! - All Star Trio Shake It and Break It - Lanin's Southern Seranaders Swipesey Cakewalk - Scott Joplin The Great One Step - Victor Dance Orchestra

Sometimes they do be like that. Fugues can be confusing, turn on captions to follow the score. Music Used The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, Fugue no 2 in C minor, BWV 847 - Bach CC BY 3.0/performed by Martha Goldstein https://musopen.org/music/43466-the-well-tempered-clavier-book-i-bwv-846-869/

We really should talk about Clara Schumann. Not just because she's a phenomenal musician, but also because she has an amazing life story. Turns out Mozart's not the only child prodigy on the block! Keep watching as we discuss Clara's performing origins, fighting against her strict father for the ability to marry her husband, continuing her prolific touring career, supporting the family towards the end of Robert's life, and having multiple conservatories begging for her to take on a permanent teaching position. Music Used Widmung arr. Liszt - Robert Schumann Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 no 1 - Of Foreign Lands and of Foreign People - Robert Schumann Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 no 12 - Child Falling Asleep - Robert Schumann Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 no 11 - Frightening - Robert Schumann Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 no 13 - The Poet Speaks - Robert Schumann Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 no 7 - Traumerei - Robert Schumann Liebesliederwalzer Op. 54 no 6 - Brahms Citations Clara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman - Nancy B. Reich https://www.google.com/books/edition/Clara_Schumann/bKudDgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 Schumann [née Wieck], Clara - Nancy B. Reich https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-90000380188?product=grovemusic Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso - Susanna Reich https://archive.org/details/claraschumannpia0000reic/mode/2up?view=theater Clara Schumann: An Artist's Life Based on Material Found in Diaries and Letters vol 1 - Berthold Liztmann https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=tkd8CgAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PP1&hl=en Robert Schumann - Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Schumann Johannes Brahms - Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Brahms Sounds Without the Gate: Schumann and the Dresden Revolution - John Daverio https://www.jstor.org/stable/43030247?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A34a72552ee6d61f89eccb0f592624b6c&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Piano Lesson with the Iron Master - Hans Riebsamen https://www-faz-net.translate.goog/aktuell/rhein-main/ausstellung-ueber-pianistin-clara-schumann-in-frankfurt-16177914.html?printPagedArticle=true&_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp (original) https://www-sophie--drinker--institut-de.translate.goog/schumann-clara?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Schumann , Clara (Josefine), née Wieck - Sophie Drinker Institute https://www-sophie--drinker--institut-de.translate.goog/schumann-clara?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp (original) https://www.sophie-drinker-institut.de/schumann-clara

A practice session by me. Music Performed Children's Corner, L. 113 V. The Little Shepherd - Debussy 4 Pièces caractéristiques I. Impromptu: Le Sabbat - Clara Schumann Préludes Book I. No. 12: Minstrels - Debussy

In this week's video, we take a look into the background of the title theme for the Disney+ show, The Book of Boba Fett. Why does this song sound so much like music from various folk or indigenous cultures? What elements of the theme accurately represent music from around the world? Are there elements of Polynesian culture like Temuera Morrison, or does it take more from Scandinavian culture, like Ludwig Göransson? Keep watching as I dig more into what elements I notice are accurate to various people groups from around the world! Music Used Tout a par a moy - Binchois Vespers - Palestrina Proles de caelo - Dufay Mr. Southcoate's Pavin - Thomas Ford Super flumina Babylonis - Palestrina Ce jour d l'an - Dufay Citations https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nHglXivArCc9IFmJJGMeTR0Ue37t_6gtRpkt2nIfU50/edit?usp=sharing

Are you familiar with adaptive music in video games? You might be, but did you know that the core concept of how adaptive music functions existed long before video games were even a thing? In this week's video we talk about aleatoric music, or chance music if you prefer, and compare it to adaptive music in video games. What are both of these concepts? How much do they have in common? The answer just might surprise you! Music Used Papov - Yung Logos Sunday Rain - Cheel Blue Dream - Cheel Nilly Willy - Yung Logos References “Adaptive Music.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, January 8, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_music. MasterClass. “Aleatoric Music Explained: 5 Examples of Indeterminate Music - 2022.” MasterClass. MasterClass, June 3, 2021. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/aleatoric-music-explained#what-is-aleatoric-music. Sadie, Stanley, and John Tyrrell. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 1. Vol. 1. London: Distributed by Macmillan, 2001. https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmusi0002unse/page/340/mode/2up?view=theater

How it must have gone down when Mozart transcribed Allegri's Miserere... or at least, my loose interpretation of it. Apparently copyright infringement doesn't really matter when you're the world's most famous child prodigy. Music Used Liebeslieder Walzer Op. 52 no 6 - Brahms

In this installment of "What the Heck Are They Singing?" we go all the way back to the 13th century during the medieval era to translate English into... English? Sumer Is Icumen In is one of the oldest written pieces we have in English, and a lot has changed in the language since then. In today's video I go through the pronunciation of the Old English text, and provide the translation for a more modern audience! Music Used Fantasia - John Dowland Ce jour d l'an - Dufay Lady Walsinghams Conceite - Daniel Bacheler April Is In My Mistress' Face - Thomas Morley Mr Southcoate's Pavin - Thomas Ford

In this week's video, I address one useful skill that will really help take your musical skills to the next level. Musicality is a skill that can be often overlooked compared to the other aspects of music learning, because it acts more as "detail work", but understanding how to improve your musicality can significantly improve your playing! In this video I talk about what musicality is and how you can work on this skill to use as a tool to improve your music playing abilities. Music Used The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, Prelude no. 7 in E flat major - Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, Prelude no. 11 in F major - Bach Waltz in C sharp minor, Op 64 no 2 - Chopin Waltz in A flat major, Op 69 no 1 - Chopin The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, Prelude no. 1 in C major - Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, Prelude no. 2 in C minor - Bach Waltz in B minor, Op. 69 no 2 - Chopin

In this special Christmas episode, I take a fumbling stab at sight reading Christmas carols. The catch? They won't exactly sound "normal". I've selected a few categories of instruments for my computer to choose from, that I will then take to use while I sight read some of my favorite Christmas carols. Your ears have been warned in advance! Music Used Jolly Old Saint Nicholas - E's Jammy Jams Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Tchaikovsky We Wish You a Merry Christmas - E's Jammy Jams

In this week's video we compare modern "dark academia" classical-style music to the real deal to determine whether or not it's technically true "classical music". How exactly do we define "classical music"? What role does dark academia music play in our modern genres? Join me as I compare and contrast the two definitions, plus a list of some of my own recommended songs to add to your own dark academia playlist! My list of recommended songs Stars by Ēriks Ešenvalds Earth Song by Frank Ticheli The Little Shepher by Debussy Footprints in the Snow by Debussy Ubi Caritas by Maurice Duruflé Ave verum corpus by William Byrd Sonata in B flat major k. 333 II. Andante Cantabile by Mozart Fantasia in D minor by Mozart Ombra mai fu (Largo from Xerxes) by Handel Music Used Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64 no 2 - Chopin Waltz in B minor, Op. 69 no 2 - Chopin Children's Corner V. The little shepherd - Debussy Etude XI. Pour les Arpèges composés - Debussy Sonata in B flat major k. 333 II. Andante Cantabile - Mozart Ombra mai fu - Handel

In this week's video I make an attempt at creating a 12 tone matrix, a tool that's usually used to help compose 12 tone serialist music. My results were... interesting, and a bit chaotic. Learn in what is likely the worst way possible how to create your own 12 tone matrix so that you can do unnecessary math in music too! Music Used Liebesliederwalzer, Op. 52 no 6 - Brahms Waltz in D flat Major, Op. 64 no 1 - Chopin Swipesy Cakewalk - Joplin The Cascades - Joplin Sonata in B flat Major, k. 333 I. Allegro - Mozart Six Musical Moments, D. 780 III. Allegro moderato in F minor - Schubert Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64 no 2 - Chopin The Easy Winners - Joplin Waltz in B minor, Op. 69 no 2 - Chopin

If you're at all familiar with either the book or one of movie adaptations of Jane Austin's "Emma" then you'd know that one of her many skills involves playing the piano and singing. But for "real people" during the late 18th and early 19th century, what would music lessons have looked like for women like Emma? In this week's video we take a closer look at women's education in Regency England, music lessons during the turn of the Classical Era to the Romantic Era, and understand why music lessons were important to so many families and their daughters. Citations https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gs-OEVkkGCTujjaKJKDkrJxKrjE4b448CXUVh1Yk5tE/edit?usp=sharing Music Used Sonata in B flat major k. 333 I. Allegro - Mozart Six Musical Moments, D. 780 III. Allegro moderato in F minor - Schubert Sonata in B flat major k. 333 II. Andante Cantabile - Mozart Sonata in B flat major k. 333 III. Allegretto Grazioso - Mozart Nocturne in E flat major Op. 9 no. 2 - Chopin

Do you know the lyrics to the song "O Fortuna"? It's more dark than you might realize. In this edition of "What the Heck Are They Singing?" we look into the famous "O Fortuna" piece from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". We'll spend time translating the Medieval Latin text, and understanding why even back in the medieval era, it was a universal truth that life can really suck. Music Used Waltz in B minor Op. 69 no 2 - Chopin Chanson de Toreador from Carmen - Bizet Carmen Suite no 1 II. Aragonaise - Bizet Tout a par a moy - Binchois Vespers - Palestrina Proles de caelo - Dufay

Just a low-key chat about music for this week's video. This week I decide to talk about why I chose music, and why I continue choosing to pursue it. I go through my musical background, and what inspired me to make my passion for music "my own". Music Used Papov - Yung Logos Contact High - RKVC

Based on some real life experiences. Because switching from classical music to jazz is a trip. Especially when sheet music is your security blanket. Music Used Cover Charge - TrackTribe

In this week's video we look into the background and history of the North American folk song "Shenandoah". Most may be familiar with Shenandoah as the river and river valley system located in Virginia, but maybe the lyrics aren't all what they seem. What is the meaning behind the lyrics? What, or who is Shenandoah? And is this song connected to more than just a river? Music Used Pale Rider Blues - Mini Vandals Black Terrier Blues - Mini Vandals Old Blue - Chris Haugen Chromatic Rag - Mini Vandals Oh By Jingo! - All Star Trio Attributions Missouri River Basin/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Missouri_River_basin_map.png Shenandoah Watershed/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.5

In this week's video we're taking a closer look at the origins of the word "Lisztomania" and understanding how the word came to be. Do you know how it came to be associated with Franz Liszt? What's the difference between this and something like the "Beatlemania" of the 60s? And what does this word have to do with 19th century medicine? All of these topics and more to be discussed today! Music Used Hungarian Rhapsody no 2 in C sharp minor - Liszt Liebesliederwalzer Op. 52 no 6 - Brahms Attributions and Citations Hungarian Rhapsody no 2/Martha Goldstein/CC BY-SA 3.0 https://musopen.org/music/44101-hungarian-rhapsody-no-2-s-2442/ Liszt,Franz.,Walker,Alan.Franz Liszt: The virtuoso years, 1811-1847.United States:Cornell University Press,1987. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Franz_Liszt_The_virtuoso_years_1811_1847/lCw4cxHmpgYC?hl=en&gbpv=0 Gooley,Associate Professor of Music Dana.,Gooley,Dana.,Dana,Gooley.The Virtuoso Liszt.United Kingdom:Cambridge University Press,2004. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Virtuoso_Liszt/koSQAjlxeOIC?hl=en&gbpv=0