If there was a prize given out for the Professional Musician With the Most Unusual Hobby, Payton MacDonald would certainly take home the title. He's an arachnoculturist (fancy term for spider keeper) and proud owner of over 70 tarantulas, also giving a presentation at the 10th Annual American Tarantula Society Conference last year. MacDoanld also happens to be a sought after percussionist and composer, with his pieces performed by stand-out ensembles like Alarm Will Sound and So Percussion. Tonight we hear him performing his Ascending Sunshine Shaman (homage to Terry Riley). Also, music of Bill Whelan and Morton Gould.
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Comments [6]
I am in Park Slope Brooklyn Enjoying the sounds of wonderful music with my husband in out nook. Outside it is wonderfully fall like. I can actually see that the tree outside my house is starting to faintly yellow. I cannot wait for there to be snow on the ground. (George Gershwin? Very sophisticated for a 13 yr old!)
Hello, I am a 13 year old, and several months ago, you played a song called "rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin. It inspired me to write the end part of a play I had been writing, that won a national scholastic award, so thanks! I was wondering if you would play it again. Just listeng to it makes me feel the city's energy. The song make me think of NYC
I was listening in the car while driving home on the New Jersey Turnpike. The Scottish Tunes for harp and harmonica were evocative and beautiful - what a soothing atmosphere they conjured. The weather here is cool and clear, and the music heightened my sense of calm.
Enjoying your playlist tonight as I read about eco criticism in theatre. I can see the J train from my one bedroom window. It's still running, so I know all well with the world.
I loved the Fred Astaire song, played a few minutes ago and which I listened to while editing photographs on my computer, and find Morton Gould's "Tap Dance Concerto" delightful as well. One can visualize a dancer on a stage as one listens. According to dance critic Jack Anderson, who reviewed a performance of the piece for the "New York Times" in 1987, "Mr. Gould has written tap-dance rhythms into his score. Although all dancers who perform this concerto must adhere to these rhythms, they are free to invent any steps they think appropriate." In fact, one can see a video on YouTube of one movement of the concerto tapped by Karen Prunzik, a protégé of Paul Draper, who choreographed the version she dances.
An Irish start segues to Scotland and harps, mouth harps, and marimbas, and the topic is dance, weather and whatcha doin' in yer hood..
53° here under a nice clear September sky. Light northern breeze makes it feel cooler and I'm considering lighting the first fire of this most strange summer.
Enjoying the music. Thinking about the golf course tomorrow (no green shirt, though - seems it may bring bad weather).
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