Everybody's Gone to the Rapture by Jessica Curry - the future of video game music, or just another soundtrack?

Is this score a revolutionary view into the future of video game scores, or is it just another soundtrack?

The Other Mozart - perfectly poignant, even in 2015

photo credit: TheOtherMozart.com 

(Posted earlier today on Classical Diary)

One might think that presuming to write the story of Nannerl Mozart is arrogant, pompous, and above all, a grave disrespect. 
 
You would be wrong. 

As the show opens, Nannerl Mozart (played by Sylvia Milo) stands in 18th century undergarments littered with notes, letters, and music. She carries a toy piano and quotes rave reviews: ''A female composer, tres tres chic!'' ''Nannerl Mozart, the new Saint Cecelia!'' These reviews, however, were never written. Though her brother's letters and effects were all saved and treasured, hers have been lost to time. As reality dawns, the light dims as she says, ''I am only my brother's pupil.'' 

It may be 2015, but only 5 women have won the Pulitzer prize for music since 1943. Judith Weir is the very first Master of Music to be a woman. Strides are being made, but we have an embarrassingly long way to go as of yet. Last year, I wrte an article for Polonious Music about the critical reviews that women composers have received in newspapers. We've been told that we are ''pining after masculinity,'' ''delicate and feminine,'' and erased entirely, our works being credited to other men, in the sad case of Fanny Mendelssohn. In 2014, I wrote a piece about Francesca Caccini, a Baroque composer who had half her life erased because a prominent musicologist preferred to write that she had died young of mouth cancer ''a fitting end for a loud woman,'' instead of living out her years as a teacher, performer, composer, and producer of new music. (link)

Though this is, in essence, a straight play, it is nothing less than mandatory viewing for any would be classical music enthusiast. Even today, in 2015, women composers are considered a niche subject in music history classes across the globe, with lessons heavily favoring male composers and their achievements, while the rest are overlooked and ignored. 

Photo credit: TheOtherMozart.com

The Other Mozart avoids the painful awkwardness that many one-person shows can bring, with Sylvia Milo bringing Nannerl Mozart to life and injecting the same vigor and enthusiasm that musicologists know her brother to have had. The moments of humor, with Nannerl calling Wolfgang a ''little shit-eater'' juxtapose against the gut wrenching moments when she realizes that her life isn't going to turn out as planned. Music plays admidst her speeches, with recognizable pieces by W.A Mozart and Leopold Mozart, and fresh new atmospheric pieces by Nathan Davis and Phyllis Chen. Throughout the show, heavily symbolism surrounding lighting design and the looming presence of the cage-like dress frame penetrate the narrative and drive home the devastating story of how she was passed over because of her gender. 

Sylvia Milo's primal screams when Nannerl learns she is being left behind for the first time will tear your heart open; the incredible weight of reality will sink in your stomach. Left behind, looked over, passed up. When our beloved and cheery Nannerl succumbs to the cage, we weep for the lost potential. We weep for what might have been. It leaves a thought - how many other incredibly gifted women have been silenced? 

The Other Mozart is nothing if not an insightful and emotional journey into the life of Nannerl Mozart, who I refuse to refer to as ''Mozart's sister.'' A stunning and impressive musician in her own right, she was swept under the rug in the name of society and decorum. This one-woman show, written and performed by Sylvia Milo, was eloquent, emotional, and a painful reminder of why women composers who lived before the 20th century have been all but forgotten. 

My only regret is that I couldn't attend tonight's performance (September 16th, 8pm), which will be followed by a panel of impressive names like Jessica Duchen, Sally Beamish, and Alice Farnham, to talk about women in music after the show. The show closes on Saturday (September 19th), so if you're in London, head over to the St. James Theatre and see this amazing, insightful show. Tickets start at £17.50.

As always, if you love these reviews, please follow me on Bloglovin' so you don't miss exclusive interviews on the Women in Music podcast, coming up soon!

The new Life Stories chamber opera by Tim Benjamin: easily digestible music, poignant human interest, or both?

Taylor Wilson as Silent Jack; photo credit Radius Music

The ever-talented Taylor Wilson (mezzo-soprano) invited me to review Tim Benjamin's new chamber opera double bill, Life Stories, at The Place in central London this week. The results were intriguing.

Is Jurassic World the Indominus Rex of film scores?

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First and foremost: no spoilers in this post. I haven't even seen the movie yet, despite my enthusiasm, reckless abandon, and borderline embarrassing desperation. We decided to wait until this weekend when the movie theatres wouldn't be stuffed to the brim with dinosaur fans. As much as I've always loved the Jurassic franchise, even this superfan can't stomach sitting in front of a kid who kicks me seat the entire movie, or a few seats down from giggling teenagers who are constantly texting. Dinosaurs must be viewed with reverence, like the first cheeseburger after a 30 day vegan detox.

Preparing for Game of Thrones - the best and worst tracks from season 4

We've all been ready since the finale last year, but the time has finally come to immerse ourselves in Westeros once more. We've been reading the books, consulting psychics, rewatching seasons 1 - 4 on repeat, and most importantly, listening to the tracks from last season, It was good, it was bad, it was ugly. **No spoilers for anything going forward, but I can't guarantee your sanity if you haven't seen season 4 yet**

The Last of Us soundtrack ruined my life

My friends, this is the story of how the soundtrack for The Last of Us ruined my life.

Anne Louise Kershaw: "Collections"

Musically Notable is back from a new music hiatus with this masterful piece of sound art. Get your headphones out, readers, you're going to want to hear this in high-def.

"Plynie" by Marina Fridman

This piece, for string quartet and electronics, sounds like it belongs in the next Resident Evil video game (which would be Resident Evil 7) - maybe the game developers should take notice of Marina Fridman, because she's destined for great things.

"Bluegrass Raised," by Berry and Company

This week, I am obsessed. I love bluegrass, and I LOVE songs that incorporate old folksy music. I also love the sound of this group, which is so smooth and delicious, I could vomit rainbows.

"From Where We Stand" - the new album from Ward Thomas

I know some people hate country - but they are wrong. I grew up in Chicago, not exactly the country music capital of America, but that's where I fell in love with it. When I moved to Texas in 2008, I discovered that country music was how people did things, and I was in heaven. This new album from up-and-coming group, Ward Thomas, is everything country music needs to be these days: fun, energetic, and full of that down-home feeling.

"Thou Knowest, Lord" by Chris Hutchings

It's been a week of research, writing, and getting ready for the BBC Proms season (and the rehearsals that come along with it)! In my musical explorations this week, this piece by Chris Hutchings caught my ear, with the ethereal vocal harmonies, tight and excellently executed.

"My Body is Tired but My Brain's on Fire" by Willis Benjamin

For this week's summer track, check out this jam by Willis Benjamin. It's equal parts down-home and modern, and I can't stop listening to it.

"Darwin We Need to Talk" by Ferzad Variyava

Do you love chill, ethereal guitar solos that make you want to lay on your back and look up at the stars? If so, then you will love "Darwin We Need to Talk" by Ferzad Variyava.

Kina Grannis' Elements - Refreshing and Engaging

After hours of listening to new releases, my ears were fatigued and my head was throbbing. That all came to a screeching halt when I heard the first track of Kina Grannis' new album, Elements. 

"Lux Aeterna" by Eric Honour

This week, I was feeling the need for some zen. With construction going on across the parking lot and in the apartment below me, the noise alone is starting to make me go bananas. Eric Honour's "Lux Aeterna" is definitely the remedy for a frazzled mind.

This is Your Summer Album - Bluesamericana by Keb' Mo'

Summer is almost officially here - the temperatures are soaring, the iced tea is being made, everyone is flocking to the beach, and the evenings are humid and hot. Nothing says summer to me more than blues, and this album is going to be your jam until September.

"Dark Morning: Snow" by Anna Lee Hirschi

This string quartet by Hirschi is deep, introspective, and rich in color. This week has brought a lot of writing assignments, and so along with that comes a need for amazing instrumental pieces, and "Dark Morning: Snow" is just the ticket.

"Carpe Diem" by Rahul Chawla

It's a rainy start to the summer season here, and I've been spending a lot of time walking through the mist or waiting out the bad weather indoors, listening to introspective, calming jams. At the top of that list is Chawla's "Carpe Diem," a smooth, intellectual piece that will whisk you away.

The Maleficent Soundtrack - Classic Disney, or Something More?

I have some friends who are hardcore Disney fans. We are talking the people who see every Disney release in the cinema at least twice (yes, even John Carter), can list every movie alphabetically and chronologically, yearly pilgrimages to the Magic Kingdom sort of folk. This review is for you.

Overcoming Writer's Block - A Story of Angst

This modest collection of tweets is only a snapshot into the consuming hellfire that is writer's block. I had never experienced this phenomenon which leads to an inescapable existential crisis, so I had zero skills on how to combat it. (caution: animated images!)