"Finlandia" - Jean Sibelius (four versions!)

"Finlandia" is one of my favorite melodies - I didn't realize it was written by Sibelius, and I also didn't realize he was Finnish until I looked up this song.  Below are four (count them, four!) versions of this beautiful music.  First is the song in Finnish - although it is not the national anthem, it is one of the most important national songs of Finland (I also found a cool flashmob of this).  Second is Sibelius' symphony.  Third is an English, a capella version of the anthem.  And last is the tune as the hymn "Be Still My Soul."  Enjoy!

"Twelve Thirty" - The Mamas and the Papas

This song always makes me smile - the rhythm and the piano give it such an upbeat feel.  For more about the song, check out these links: "Twelve Thirty," and "Laurel Canyon."

"It's a Life" from The Truman Show - Burkhard Dallwitz and Philip Glass

The Truman Show is a thought-provoking, entertaining movie about a man whose entire life is broadcast to the world - without his knowledge.  This piece is from the beginning of the movie and, although it is short, it is one of my favorite instrumentals from a soundtrack.  Enjoy!

"When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt is one of my all-time favorite movies, in part because of the music.  The people sing this song as they realize they are free and leave the Egyptians.  The music is by Hans Zimmer and Stephen Schwartz (he seems to pop up everywhere!).

Recommendations, Week 6: "Look Around" - Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66

Keep the recommendations coming!  Thanks for your readership (or, listenership, I suppose :)!

"Look Around" - Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66

"Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof - Bock, Harnick, & Stein

Yesterday I was thinking about all the miracles that seem to be happening around us, and it reminded me of this joyful song from Fiddler on the Roof.  Enjoy!

"Sleep" - Eric Whitacre: traditional and virtual choir versions, and *original lyrics* version

GUM is back!  Sorry for the downtime :)

I love this piece, "Sleep," by Eric Whitacre.  I love the way it captures the many "emotions," if you will, of falling to sleep.  Sometimes if I'm having trouble falling asleep, I'll sing this in my head and it helps.

I've posted a recording from a traditional (and elite) choir, followed by a recording of Eric Whitacre conducting his "virtual choir" - a very cool use of YouTube (more info here).  Interestingly, this music was originally written to go with Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," but was not published as such due to copyright restrictions (click here for the full story).  That hasn't stopped people from singing it that way, though, and the last video for today is the song as it was originally intended (though I think you could safely argue that either version is the better :)

Enjoy, and pleasant dreams!

"Ye Shall Have a Song" - Randall Thompson

I love the way this song builds and builds, and then suddenly stops for a moment, letting the word "pipe" reverberate in the hall.  During the "goeth with a pipe" section, if you listen carefully, you'll hear the phrase repeated lower and lower through the male parts, from the first tenors to the second basses.  This piece is sometimes sung without the first part (~40 seconds), which is how I sang it with a choir in Boston.  Enjoy!

Recommendations, Week 5: "I Look to You" - Whitney Houston

A very appropriate video recommendation for the blog this week.  A beautiful song and singer, with an uplifting message.

"In the House of Stone and Light" by Martin Page - The Brown Derbies

A college friend introduced me to The Brown Derbies, a male a capella group at Brown University.  I love their arrangement of this song.  (Don't let the thumbnail image deter you....)

(The original is good, too, but I couldn't find a GUM-worthy video for it.)

"Shanghai Breezes" - John Denver

I love this sweet, long-distance-love song.  I think the flute really gives the song a soft, gentle tone, suggesting a soft pillow or gentle breeze.

"Home" - Dierks Bentley

This inspiring country song makes you proud of our country!

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King (Broadway) - Elton John and Tim Rice

I always think it's great when (good-quality) songs from animated films get played on the radio.  I think it demonstrates the quality of music that can go into a "children's" film.  The version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" below is from the Broadway musical version of Disney's The Lion King.  Happy Valentine's!

"O Sole Mio" - Capurro and Capua

Nothing says Valentine's like an Italian love song, especially this classic....

"Love Is All Around" - The Troggs

A "happy-in-love" song for Valentine's!

Matthew Curtis - "Sing Joyfully" (Byrd) and "If Ye Love Me" (Tallis)

Moments ago I discovered this really awesome YouTube channel, "ChoralTracks," where one singer, Matthew Curtis, performs all of the parts for some complex choral pieces.  He shows the sheet music (when it is in the public domain), and has different videos intended for learning each part - the part may be muted, predominant, or come from the left speaker.  Here are a couple of examples, with the parts balanced - enjoy!

"Sing Joyfully" - William Byrd

"If Ye Love Me" - Thomas Tallis

"The Lord Is My Shepherd" - John Rutter

A song of faith, arranged by composer John Rutter.  I love the oboe, and the chant-like portion in the middle.

Week 4 Recommendations: Carly Simon, "Ratatouille," and a Pandora suggestion

This week's recommendations span the genres!  We have sacred, 80s pop, and a French soundtrack song...  Enjoy!

The first recommendation is not so much a song as a suggestion for a good way to get lots of good, uplifting music.  My friend said that if you go to Pandora and type "Mormon Tabernacle Choir" into the "New Station" box, you can get lots of good, uplifting music! My guess is that other names, such as "Choir of King's College" or "John Rutter," you would also bring up lots of "GUM."

The next recommendation is for a song from one of my favorite singers when I was growing up, Carly Simon!

"The Stuff that Dreams Are Made Of" - Carly Simon

The next is the last song in the Pixar film, Ratatouille...

"Le Festin" - Camille

ThePianoGuys (esp. Steven Sharp Nelson): "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" and "The Cello Song"

Okay, so I am an unabashed fan of ThePianoGuys, but I think I may have come across them in an unusual way....  I recently started a research study on back pain in cellists.  While I was preparing, I thought, "I should look at some videos to see how different cellists move the bow when they play."  I did a YouTube search for "cello," and the video below came up in the list.  The thumbnail image showed eight cellists, and I thought, "Perfect!  I can watch eight cellists at once."  Of course, it wasn't long before I realized what was happening....

Also when I was preparing for the study, I realized that the song "Secrets" by OneRepublic had a great cello part (I thought I could learn to play it ;), and I hoped that one day ThePianoGuys would do a cover of that song.  Well, today that became reality!

"Appalachian Spring" - Aaron Copland

This is my favorite movement from Aaron Copland's famous "Appalachian Spring."  I love the burst of excitement that opens the scene, and the descending line that follows.

You may be surprised to learn this about the title of the work:
"Originally, Copland did not have a title for the work, referring to it simply as Ballet for Martha. Shortly before the premiere, Graham suggested Appalachian Spring, a phrase from a Hart Crane poem, "The Dance" from a collection of poems in his book "The Bridge."...Because he composed the music without the benefit of knowing what the title was going to be, Copland was often amused when people told him he captured the beauty of the Appalachians in his music, a fact he alluded to in an interview with NPR's Fred Calland.

"La Bamba" - Ritchie Valens

I once saw a movie about Ritchie Valens (in Spanish class), that was quite interesting.  In one scene, he is recording "La Bamba," which was originally a Mexican folk song. Every time he runs through it he does it a little different - just like he's used to, but it drives the US recording studio folks nuts!

Ritchie Valens died at age 17 in the tragic plane crash, "the day the music died."

"The Burning Bush" from The Prince of Egypt - Hans Zimmer

The soundtrack to The Prince of Egypt is one of my all-time favorites.  This piece plays when Moses has his first encounter with God and decides to return to Egypt.  I love the way the music suggests the love and mercy of God with gentle choral sections, integrated with brass and percussion to suggest justice of God.

"One Good Woman" - Peter Cetera

I have to admit that Peter Cetera is one of my favorite '80s artists.  Here's a great 'happy-in-love' song from him.

"Be My Baby" - The Ronettes

When I was a baby, my dad would bounce me to this song (and others) - I love the dual meaning that gives to the song!  I think this is my favorite "oldies" song - so cheerful (as so many are) and upbeat!

"Africa" and "Jordan" - William Billings

William Billings (1746-1800) is often considered the father of American choral music, composing many four-part, a cappella pieces.  I was first introduced to Billings' work while I was in Boston, Billings' birthplace.  The harmonies you hear in these songs may sound odd and unfamiliar at first, and if I ever learn enough music theory to describe why, I will tell you.  (Or, if some of you music folks out there know, please do share!)

This first song, "Africa," is a joyful tune, applied to Isaac Watts' hymn about the saving power of God (click for more info about this song).

The second song, "Jordan," - also with text by Isaac Watts - compares death to crossing the Jordan River and describes the delights of the next life, not unlike "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal" from last week's Sunday post.

Recommendations, Week 3! ("Cantate Domino" and "Every Season")

Keep the recommendations coming!  It is great to be introduced to more GUM :)

This recording is of a group called "Salt Lake Vocal Artists."  I love the energy of this setting by Josu Elberdin of the text "Cantate Domino," which I hadn't heard before.

A grateful, faithful song for any time of year....

"Every Season" by Nichole Nordeman

"You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)" - Josh Groban

When this song came out, it always made me feel better when times were hard.  I love the inspiring message that you aren't alone, and that everyone has tough times, but you can make it!

(Click here for the official video, which can't be embedded.)

Theme from "Chariots of Fire"

You have probably heard this music in some parody or another, but here is the actual scene from the movie for which it was written....  This movie is an inspiring story about two British runners who competed in the 1924 Olympics.  I recommend it!  (Wikipedia: Chariots of Fire)

"Julie-O" by Mark Summer/Kevin Olusola

Hip-hop + cello!  What a fun combination : )  I guess this is what happens when good cellists get bored....

(Arrangement by Kevin Olusola, who is a member of the "Sing-Off"-winning a cappella group, the Pentatonix.)

Here is the original....

(this video makes me dizzy....)