The Music of Nature

Autumn from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

September 24, 2010

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) wrote numerous concertos, many of them for the young ladies who resided in the Venetian orphanage where Vivaldi was employed for most of his working career. (Many of these “orphans” were daughters of affluent  noblemen and their mistresses, and they lived in very comfortable circumstances and were given excellent musical training.)  Some [...]

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Music from a Bonsai

April 21, 2010

How musical is a bonsai? Let me count the ways. . . In the words of the composer/performer Diego Stocco: “I always liked bonsai trees, and I was curious to try the approach I used for "Music from a Tree" on a smaller scale, so I bought a bonsai and recorded this little experimental piece. [...]

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Oliver Messiaen – Dec. 10

December 12, 2009
Bird Song

“I give bird-songs to those who dwell in cities and have never heard them. . .and paint colors for those who see none.” —Messiaen. He used birdsongs and colors as no musician ever had before, bringing beauty and hope even to fellow prisoners in a German POW camp.

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Mosquito Love Duet: Music Conquers All

October 9, 2009
Mosquito love

Mosquito duet leads to love. . .and the perfect fifth. Get the buzz about the musical talents of the pesky mosquito during courtship.

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Monkeying Around with Music: Simian Strains Strike a Chord with Monkeys

September 13, 2009
Cottontop Monkey

Do monkeys respond emotionally to music? Well, maybe not to human music, but they respond with excitement or relaxation to species specific music composed just for them.

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Music Hath Charms to Soothe the Savage “Beast”

August 31, 2009
Thumbnail image for Music Hath Charms to Soothe the Savage “Beast”

A cat who plays piano, a dancing cockatoo, a blues-singing dog… who says music is loved just by humans?

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