Reviews

"Use Somebody" - Group performance  (Sep 2018)

The group who played this song was formed of Clara (singer), Myrto (singer + pianist), Gemma (guitarist + singer), Nina (drummer) and Sofie (bassist). 

The cover was really good and nice to listen to, and I really enjoyed it. The piano and bass sounded great, and it made the performance sound "full". The way Myrto (the pianist) changed chords made the performance sound even better. What I usually think is a problem in most performances is that it sounds "empty" or that there are not enough instruments playing, but I don't think it was an issue here. I really liked the vocals, too, especially the harmonies with the three voices. The only thing I would have changed is the drums (although they were already good!). The rythm played was the same all the time, and I think it would have been better to do something else sometimes. But in general I thought the performance was absolutely great !

Cello + Piano concert  (Dec 2018)

I have recently been to a piano and cello concert. The duet performed pieces by Beethoven and Shostakovich, such as the seven variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen" woO 46, and the Cello Sonata Op 40. 

I enjoyed the concert, and both the pianist and the cellist played extremely well, but unfortunately, I don't have videos of the concert. What I mostly liked was that the pianist really was into the music, seemingly enjoying what he was playing which is great. I believe that the attitude of a musician has an important role in the public's opinion about a performance. Someone who smiles and clearly enjoys the music is a lot more fun to watch. All in all, the concert was great!

"Impossible" by Clara and Myrto (Feb 2019)

At the New Year Concert at school Myrto and clara have decided to perform "Impossible" by James Arthur. I have to say I really enjoyed the performance, and it was clearly one of the best I saw that day! The singing itself was amazing, because they both have lovely voices. But the harmonies made it even better, and with only a piano and two voices they managed to make it sound full. Also, compared to what we had seen in class (2 weeks before the actual concert), they had improved a lot and the song was way more structured. The only thing I think needs improvement is that you should enunciate more, because (mainly Clara) I didn't really understand what you were saying. Overall the performance was really really really good and impressive.

Concert in a bar (May 2019)

I recently went to this bar/restaurant with my family, and outside was a little spot where artists could perform. 

Only one man performed, and I have to admit I didn't really enjoy the performance that much. 

He played the guitar and sang. His guitar playing sounded really nice (although I'm not a big expert in this area haha) and he actually played some Bach pieces which I really liked. But his voice was what bothered me most. He had a very raspy voice, and at times it actually sounded like he was off tune, making the performance less enjoyable. 

It's really a pity, because I love most of the songs he performed, and they are beautiful songs when well-performed.

Myrto's Composition (April 2019)

We were all asked to compose a song, with the same lyrics and the same chords. One of the compositions I really liked is Myrto's composition. The first thing I like about her song is that it is a tango, which is very interesting because everyone (including me) chose something very mainstream like "pop". Myrto is also a great singer, which makes her composition really awesome to listen to. The melody is nice, the only thing I would change is that the melody sometimes goes quite high and is very "unexpected" or "surprising". This can be nice, but it sometimes makes it sound "too weird". This is of course just my opinion, and her song is still great! 

My Own Composition (April 2019)

I think my composition sounds ok. I like the melody, but the harmonies could have been better. I only realised this a long time after the due date (although I had already listened to it many times to make sure everything was alright BEFORE submitting it...). Another thing I would change if I were to redo it, is the instrumentation. When composing I felt extremely inspired and enthusiastic, and kept telling myself I would add piano, harmonies, guitar and violin. This was not a great idea, because it sometimes sounds a bit too "crowded" as mr T said, and I totally agree.

My own performance at a Violin Concert (May 2019)

As a preparation to our upcoming (violin) exams, our violin teacher organised a small concert where each of us could play one or two pieces (the ones we are supposed to play at our exam). I played  "Sonata in g minor for violin and piano" by Henri Eccles and "Romantic Piece Nr1" by Antonin Dvorak. The concert went quite well (in general).

If I'm completely honest with myself, I have to say the fast parts in the sonata weren't as good as they should have been, although this was mainly due to stress and nervousness. The notes should have been 'clearer', and each separate note should have been heard (this was not the case). I also felt like I was completely off tune in the second part.

However, after hearing myself play on the videos my parents took, I can say I didn't mess up as badly as I thought I did. Surprisingly, I'm not off tune (except a few notes) either.

Next time I will definitely try to improve my breathing, since that helps a lot against stress. I always forget to take a deep breath before I start playing.

Music Break (May 2019)

We launched this concept at school (which had already been tried out by Mr T several times before) of letting people play outside, and perform in front of others. We were taught how to move instruments safely and put them back quickly. Unfortunately, it can ony be done when the weather is good, and since the rainy months are coming, it's impossible for us to continue doing that. We should try to come up with a way to perform inside. This means we'll need not only cables, but also a place that's nor too loud nor too quiet.

Concert Quatuor Zaïde (July 2019)

This summer I went back to my home region - Brittany. We decided to go to a concert, which took place in a church. Quatuor Zaïde (I had never heard of them before) played, and it was a very enjoyable perforance. Quatuors always have that kind of special energy, because it doesn't sound too crowded (since it's only 4 of them) but, in a way, it never sounds empty either. The four musicians were really into it and played beautifully. 2 hours of joy!

Gemma Lua's Album (Oct 2019)

Gemma released her first album! More than the songs, I'm very impressed by her courage and patience to actually release it! The songs are good, the harmonies are great and the lyrics are amazing. 

Joker (movie) and its music (Oct 2019)

I recently went to watch 'Joker', a movie that focuses on mental illnesses and our selfish society. The movie in itself is already extraordinary but the music makes it even better. The music was composed by the Icelandic violonist and composer Hildur Guonadottir, and it's stunning. It makes the movie even darker and more hopeless, giving a feeling of constant fear. Definitely recommend it!

Mr T's Gig - Time Out Pub (Oct 2019)

There was a really good atmosphere in the pub, and the music was really great. It actually sounded a lot like the originals, in a good way of course. In addition to this, I really liked the songs he played. No matter how much I try and search for negative things to say, nothing comes to my mind. very enjoyable! At some point, Jakub (Michal's little brother) sang a couple songs (Gangsta's Paradise, Take Me To Church). At first, he sounded a bit unsure and I was actually a bit scared. But it turned out he has a beautiful voice and sang the songs very well!

Gemma and Myrto's performance at her fundraising event  (Jan 2020)

An S6 ethics class has decided they wanted to go to Rwanda, in March. They have tried to raise funds, and one of the ways to do so, was to organise their own fundraising concert! Many of us played, too. Gemma and Myrto decided to perform 'Back to Black' by Amy Whinehouse, which was lovely. Their voices fit extremely well together, but were also very enjoyable on their own. I loved the harmonies they used, but what I loved most was probably how they built up. It all started with just one voice and a guitar, but slowly they kept adding harmonies. Loved it!

Dixit - Contemporary Ballet (Feb 2020)

Recently, my mom took me to a very interesting contemporary ballet performance; and although it is not directly linked with music and our S6 course, I still do think a review can be useful. It still included music! 

It was performed by the Ballet Bejart de Lausanne, and retraced Maurice Bejart's life through dance, acting and audios. It was a fantastic experience: The dancers were wonderful, and so was the music. But the whole concept was very interesting, too. It mixed cinema with dance, and this made it even better! 

Bolero Ravel - Online Edit (Mar 2020)

Because of quarantine, many orchestras (including big ones!) have had to close. However, many have tried to create virtual concerts and edits of musicians playing together, which I think is really nice and brings a sense of joy to these strange times. The first multiscreen music video I came across was the one by the french National Orchestra, and I really loved it. I, first of all, truly enjoyed the idea of a kind of virtual space where musicians would still play together. I also liked the presentations at the beginning, because that allows the audience to get to know the musiciana little bit better (which you don't always get the chance to do at concerts!). Obviously, the musical quality of this performance is absolutely great (since it's the national orchestra)!

Mme Pylinska et le Secret de Chopin - Eric Emmanuel Schmitt (Oct 2020)

Following the long period of quarantine, I finally got the chance to go to a live theatre performance, at the Centre Culturel of Auderghem. 'Mme Pylinska et le Secret de Chopin' was entirely written, and played, by Eric Emmanuel Schmitt and honestly, it was really amazing. The play leads us through the life of Eric Emmanuel, from his early piano lessons to learning to pefectly master Chopin pieces, all of this punctuated by regular Chopin pieces played by a professional pianist. The overall story (which is very autobiographic) was fascinating. Eric Emmanuel is a fabulous actor, who plays all roles in the play (and he does so quite perfectly!). In addition to all of this, the pianist (Nicolas Stavy) was incredible as well. Overall, maybe one of the best and most inspiring plays I've ever watched!