Heard Behaviour is now VISUALISE!
In 2014, Heard Behaviour is taking on a new look, new name, and a new website!
Heard Behaviour is now VISUALISE!
Continue to follow us on our brand new website & blog: http://visualisemusic.com
Valse Triste
An old man puts on his favourite vinyl record. He listens, he imagines, he remembers…
Valse Triste by Jean Sibelius:
A Prelude to ‘Listen, London’
Piano – Concept
Belle Chen
http://bellechen.com
Script – Camera – Direction
Maarten van der Glas
Dance – Choreography
Takeshi Matsumoto
Anastasia Kostner
Executive Production
Belle Chen
Video Production
indivisuals.nl
© 2013
‘Listen, London’ premieres in London on 22nd August 2013. For more information visit http://bellechen.com/listen-london
To read more about the composer, please see here.
Killer Heels
Note: View in 720p HD! © 2013 Florian Mitrea, Belle Chen
The Music: No. 1 ‘Tempestoso’ from Sarcasms, Op. 17 (1912-1914)
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. The Russian composer developed a reputation for his dissonant, forward-looking, and virtuosic works early in his career. These qualities can all be heard in Sarcasms.
Sarcasms consists of five small pieces. The first piece, ‘Tempestoso,’ is featured in this music video, and exemplifies Prokofiev’s recognisable dissonant, percussive, and lyrical writing.
The Artists
Piano: Florian Mitrea
http://florianmitrea.com
Concept and Editing: Belle Chen
http://bellechen.com
With special thanks to Maria Chen for providing wardrobe and modelling.
Other Interpretations of ‘Tempestoso’ from Sergei Prokofiev’s Sarcasms Op. 17:
Marc-André Hamelin: http://youtu.be/YqD6o4PZ2qw
Vladimir Sofronitsky: http://youtu.be/vCkFB-mz4lY
If you like our work, please remember to LIKE us on Facebook, on WordPress, FOLLOW http://www.heardbehaviour.wordpress.com, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @ HeardBehaviourMusic!
Drawn Out
© 2013 BlackTea+SoyMilk, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Fiachra Garvey, Belle Chen
The Concept
A manga artist’s response to Debussy’s ‘En Bateau’ from Petite Suite.
The Music
French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was a crucial figure in the stylistic transformation of western art music into the 20th century.
‘En Bateau’ (‘Sailing’) is the first work of Debussy’s Petite Suite (1886-1889) for four-hands. It has been transcribed for various instruments, and a notable orchestration of the work was done by Debussy’s colleague Henri Büsser.
The Artists
Manga: BlackTea+SoyMilk 紅茶豆乳
http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=421012
Please see Featured Visual Artists for more information.
Piano: Masahiro Yamaguchi and Fiachra Garvey
Track recorded live at Philia Hall in Yokohama, Japan on 17th December 2012.
Please see Featured Musicians for biographies of the pianists.
Producer & Concept: Belle Chen
Other Interpretations of Debussy’s ‘En Bateau’ from Petite Suite:
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (orchestrated version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSMfI0wMgDM
If you like our work, please remember to LIKE us on Facebook, on WordPress, FOLLOW http://www.heardbehaviour.wordpress.com, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @ HeardBehaviourMusic!
Bridge
“Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.” – Charles Cook
© 2012 Belle Chen, Anastasia Kostner, and Maarten Van der Glas
The Concept
‘Bridge’ is a sequel to ‘Ravel in Merano.’ Based on Ravel’s ‘Oiseaux Tristes’ from Miroirs (1904-5) and filmed in South Tyrol, Italy, ‘Bridge’ examines the relationship between music, movement, and nature.
The Music
Miroirs (‘Reflections’) is a suite of five pieces for solo piano written by French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) composed between 1904 and 1905.
Around 1903, Ravel joined a group known as Les Apaches. Les Apaches consisted of a group of forward-thinking French artists, writers, and musicians who met regularly on Saturdays to exchange ideas. Ravel dedicated each of the five pieces in Miroirs to members of Les Apaches.
‘Oiseaux Tristes’ (‘Sad Birds’), the second of the suite, was dedicated to pianist Ricardo Viñes. Of this piece, Ravel wrote: “In this work, I evoke birds lost in the torpor of a very sombre forest, during the hottest hours of summertime.”
The Artists
Dance, Movement Composition, and Editing: Anastasia Kostner
http://www.anastasiakostner.com
Video and Editing: Maarten Van der Glas
http://www.indivisuals.nl
Anastasia and Maarten’s collaboration with other incredible artists in ‘Patchwork Bodies’ can be seen as installations in the foyer of Spui Theater in Den Haag as part of CaDance Festival (Netherlands) until 9th February 2013. For more information, visit http://www.cadance.nl/nl/talk-show/cinedans-theater-aan-het-spui
Piano and Concept: Belle Chen
http://www.bellechen.com
Other Interpretations of Ravel’s ‘Oiseaux Tristes’ from Miroirs:
Maurice Ravel (the composer himself): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDIAnwjFVV
Sviatoslav Richter: http://youtu.be/XHogSUlpbFo?t=4m42s
If you like our work, please remember to LIKE us on Facebook, on WordPress, FOLLOW http://www.heardbehaviour.wordpress.com, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @ HeardBehaviourMusic!
The Art of Writing
How is technology changing art?
© 2012 Madalyn Parnas, Takeshi Matsumoto, Belle Chen
The Concept
During the course of history, the arts have always been impacted by the technological advancements of the time. Whether it has always been a welcome change, we do not know. But just as French Impressionist paintings were born as a reaction to the rise in camera photography, Karlheinz Stockhausen’s tape loops were born out of electronic devices and recorders, the powerful computers and softwares today have created a market that heavily emphasises on production (where the ‘art’ is then mass distributed via satellite and internet to televisions, computers, and other personal devices).
But what effect does this have on the core essence of art? How does production and mass distribution affect how the composers write melodies, how writers pen words, and how actors perform? We present you a case study. Based on ‘Giga’ from J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3, we strip away the production, the costumes, the make-up, and the lighting, to present you what is really behind a hit pop song in the 21st century.
The Music
The German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was one of the most significant composers in the development of western art music. J. S. Bach’s compositional use of counterpoint, harmony, motivic development, form, textures, and rhythm influenced, and is still influencing, composers generations after his death. J.S. Bach was a prolific composer; he had composed in all genres of his time, with opera being the only exception.
J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3 is in the canon of violin repertoire, and is a work familiar to violinists worldwide. It consists of six movements, most of which are dance movements and exemplify J.S. Bach’s skilful writing in the style of various dance forms from differing origins. ‘Giga’ (or ‘gigue’), the final movement of the Partita, is a lively Baroque dance that originated from England.
The Artists
Violin: Madalyn Parnas
Madalyn and her sister Cicely Parnas are performing as guest soloists with El Paso Symphony, as well as a series of solo and chamber recitals, at the El Paso Pro-Musica Chamber Music Festival from 24th January 2013.
Actor: Takeshi Takematsu
For Takeshi’s biography, please see Featured Performing Artists. Takeshi will be on tour with Hagit Yakira in summer 2013. For more information please see http://www.hagityakira.com
Concept and Editing: Belle Chen
Other Interpretations of ‘Giga’ from J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3:
Jasha Heifetz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1nNOxYuRw
Hilary Hahn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NAwo4zztQU
If you like our work, please remember to LIKE us on Facebook, on WordPress, FOLLOW http://www.heardbehaviour.wordpress.com, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @ HeardBehaviourMusic!
A Heart Personified
“If you haven’t loved, you haven’t lived.”
© 2012 Olivia Geiser, Belle Chen
The Concept
Love is an inevitable experience in life, and it is a double-edged sword that can bring as much happiness as despair. Based on Sibelius’ ‘The Spruce’ from ‘5 Pieces for Piano’ (1914), ‘A Heart Personified’ follows love through its birth and death. Still frames have been used to portray the personification of the heart from its initial awakening to stages of intrigue, curiosity, interest, happiness, bewilderment, anger, heartbreak, denial, disbelief, sadness, and the eventual aftermath of pretence and yearning.
The Music
The music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) played an important role in the formation of Finnish national identity, both musically and politically. During his lifetime, Sibelius constantly drew inspirations from the nature, landscape, folk music, and literature from his country.
Forests, in particular, inspired many of Sibelius’ works. This may be no surprise, as Finland is the most forested country in Europe (with 86% of its land covered by forests, read here). Evocations of the forests can often be found in his musical writing, and Sibelius had never been shy to give away the programme behind his works. Such is the case with the ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’ (1914), with each piece of the suite inspired by and titled with different trees that are commonly found in Finland. ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’ is also widely known as ‘The Tree Suite.’
The Artists
Piano: Olivia Geiser
www.oliviageiser.com
Photography, Editing, and Concept: Belle Chen
www.bellechen.com
Sound Effects: Sound Jay
www.soundjay.com
Other Interpretations of Sibelius’ ‘The Spruce’ from ‘5 Pieces for Piano, Op. 75’:
Izumi Tateno: http://youtu.be/eqaK-Iwbmuk
If you like our work, please remember to LIKE us on Facebook, on WordPress, FOLLOW http://www.heardbehaviour.wordpress.com, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @ HeardBehaviourMusic!
Leicester Square on a Saturday Night
“Seeing the world from a different point of view.”
© 2012 Belle Chen, Burke Turner
The Concept
Continuing from ‘Ravel in Merano‘s’ exploration of the iPod phenomenon, ‘Leicester Square on a Saturday Night’ presents a surreal experience of the bustling square in London’s West End. The high-paced pedestrian path of Leicester Square, juxtaposed with an excerpt of the slower-paced yet highly emotional ‘Sonata in D minor’ by Scarlatti, creates a peculiar sense of detachment.
The Music
Sonata: (noun) A composition for an instrumental soloist, usually with keyboard accompaniment.
Oxford University Press
Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) was a significant contributor of Baroque keyboard repertoire. However, only few compositions were published during his lifetime, and most of his compositions appeared in print over the centuries after his death.
Scarlatti wrote 555 keyboard sonatas, all of which are single movements and most are written in binary (two-section) form. Only the first section of ‘Sonata in D minor, L. 108’ was used for this video. ‘Sonata in D minor’ is a fine example of Scarlatti’s slower sonatas, and demonstrates the influence of Iberian music through its harmonies.
Although originally written for harpsichord, ‘Sonata in D minor’ is most often performed on the modern piano today. It is also often performed on classical guitars.
Belle’s performance of the whole sonata will be released on 14th December 2012 at http://bellechen.com/listen/
The Artists
Piano, Concept, and Sound-Design: Belle Chen www.bellechen.com
Camera: Burke Turner
Other Interpretations of Scarlatti’s ‘Sonata in D minor, L. 108’
Daniil Trifonov: http://youtu.be/XxlVrYjPmT0
John Williams (on classical guitar): http://youtu.be/-n_GmvxSrqI
Ravel in Merano
“To allow ourselves to respond intuitively and openly, without hinder, to a piece of music.”
© 2012 Belle Chen, Anastasia Kostner, and Maarten Van der Glas
The Concept
‘Ravel in Merano,’ based on Ravel’s ‘Prelude’ (1913) and filmed on location in Merano, Italy, is the first of Heard Behaviour’s work to be publicly presented. It is a creative response to the iPod phenomenon, where the listening experience and emotional responses are often internalised while in public.
The Music
Prelude: (noun) An action or event serving as an introduction to something more important.
Oxford University Press
‘Prelude’ (1913) was composed by French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). Ravel is considered a French Impressionist composer, as he evoked shades of colours in his works primarily through specific use of harmonies and harmonic sequences, much like how Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet emphasised on depicting the changing qualities of light through brush strokes to create an ‘impression.’
The ‘Prelude’ was composed as a sight-reading test for conservatory students. A sight-reading test involves the student to perform a piece of music without previously seen or studying it. The student is normally given the score during the test, and am required to perform the music after one or two minutes of visually studying the music. Sight-reading tests are used to test a student’s ability to read and produce music with musicianship.
The Artists
Dance and Movement Composition: Anastasia Kostner
http://www.anastasiakostner.com
Video and Editing: Maarten Van der Glas
http://www.indivisuals.nl
Piano and Concept: Belle Chen
http://www.bellechen.com
Other Interpretations of Ravel’s ‘Prelude’ (1913)
Jean-Yves Thibaudet: http://youtu.be/BP8lta88ZtA
Grigory Sokolov: http://youtu.be/vozD-hPHIr8
2014
Get ready for a new season of Heard Behaviour in 2014!
In the Spotlight: Concert Theatre
In the Spotlight is a new section that features interesting and exciting projects in the music scene today. Continue reading
First Encounter: Johann Sebastian Bach
5 things to know about Johann Sebastian Bach and his music:
1. J.S. Bach (1685-1750)was a highly respected organist during his life time. However, after his death, his status as a composer only came into prominence in late 18th century and early 19th century, after his music was rediscovered and performed by German composer Felix Mendelssohn.
2. Many of his works are well-known to both musicians and non-musicians today, including Brandenburg Concertos, Mass in B minor, two books of Well-Tempered Clavier, Goldberg Variations, 6 Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, Concerto for two violins in D Minor, and 6 Cello Suites (just to name a few)!
3. During his lifetime, J.S. Bach’s music was not as appreciated as his contemporaries. His music was considered to be old-fashioned, while his later, more complex writing style was considered “inaccessible.”
Nevertheless, composers Wolfgang Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, having access to J.S. Bach’s manuscripts, studied them carefully. After the revival of Bach’s music, Bach was recognised as the master of contrapuntal writing (where several melodies with independent rhythm and shape, but interdependent harmony, exist at the same time).
Composers such as Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Frederic Chopin, Gustav Mahler, Paul Hindemith, Dmitri Shostakovich (and many more) acknowledged their respect of J.S. Bach and his influence on their works.
4. J.S. Bach was a very religious man, and his positions as the church organist and music director of Lutheran churches in various German cities significantly influenced his compositions. In addition, he also drew inspirations from court and dance music from France, Italy, and England.
5. J.S. Bach was born into a musical family. The Bach family produced over 50 noted musicians in the course of history! Three of J.S. Bach’s children became recognised composers: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christian Bach, and Wilhelm Friedemann Bach.
Did you know?
1. The two great giants of Baroque music, J.S. Bach and George Frederic Handel, were born in the same year (only a few weeks apart) and within 80 miles of each other. However, although being very aware of each other’s presence and activities, their paths never crossed and they did not meet.
To find out more about Johann Sebastian Bach, visit http://www.jsbach.org
First Encounter: Jean Sibelius
5 things to know about Jean Sibelius and his music:
1. Today, the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) is best known as an influential symphonist and nationalist composer. His works had considerable influence on other symphonists, especially in Britain and Nordic countries. Evocations of Sibelius-styled writing can be heard in certain works by composers such as Vaughan Williams, William Walton, and Malcolm Arnold.
2. In addition to his native homeland, his sources of musical influence include: Ferruccio Busoni, Anton Brukner, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Richard Wagner.
3. His most well-known works include: Finlandia, Violin Concerto in D minor, Valse Triste, Karelia Suite, and The Swan of Tuonela.
4. Sibelius’ output ranges from small character pieces to incidental music, music for freemasonry, and large-scale symphonic works!
5. Sibelius’ contemporaries include: Gustav Mahler, Carl Nielson, Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, and Ferruccio Busoni.
Did you know?
1. Sibelius was voted as the most popular composer, ahead of Beethoven and Ravel, in the 1935 poll by the New York Philharmonic.
1. Sibelius became a much-respected representative for Finnish national identity during his lifetime. At his funeral, 17,000 people were said to have filed past his coffin to pay respect. The students at Helsinki guarded the coffin all night, and people formed a guard of honour at the road side from Helsinki to Järvenpää.
To find out more about Jean Sibelius, visit http://www.sibelius.fi/english/
Heard Behaviour 