WELCOME TO BATTLE OF THE BANDS!! (aka, "BOTB")
I would like to thank our MUSIC event hosts ~
Stephen T. McCarthy
How we Battle:
We feature two different recordings of the same song. Listen to both, and then vote for the song version you like the best. Feel free to leave me a comment, along with your vote.
Our battles take place twice a month ~ on the 1st and 15th. The results come six days later ~ on the 7th and 21st. That's when I return, add all of the votes, including mine, and announce the winner. Feel free to return and see if your choice won!
If you would like to listen, and vote in other battles, please see the participant list in the right hand margin. If you would like to join this bi-monthly blog-event, visit the blog host, Stephen T. McCarthy. Leave him a message, and your blog address. We would love to have you participate.
It's December, and the Battle of the Bands participants will present 'themed' music for our enjoyment. This first contest, I chose to present a secular song. One of my favorites since early childhood. A favorite ballet that is considered a part of this season. I love to watch the elementary age perform it; they are so cute. One of them might get tired in the middle of the song to rest. No problem - everyone else takes their rest when they're ready, (smile). This ballet is the much loved, "The Nutcracker." (You knew, right?) The photo of the plate (above) is one from my collection. (Firing date: 10-13-81). Today I bring you the 'glassic' interpretation of a classic.
The featured song for today is: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," from "The Nutcracker," written by Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1862.
Background of the challengers:
1- GlassDuo was founded by Anna and Arkadiusz Szafraniec. They are the only glass harp music group in Poland, one of few professional ensembles worldwide. They perform both solo concerts and concerts with additional musicians.
2- William Zeitler was one of the few professional players in the world on the ‘glass armonica’ — an instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761 (it works on the ‘wet finger around the wine glass’ idea). William has performed on the glass armonica internationally, including at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and with the Blue Man Group at the Hollywood Bowl. He is accompanied by a harp and a bass clarinet. (I'll post a clip about Ben Franklin on the battle result page.)
Ready, set, go. Vote for the one you like, and let me hear from ya!
This is a very difficult choice for me. I've always liked the sound of the Glass Harp, but the Glass Armonica is sublime as well and almost the same. I've long been a Ben Franklin fan so I guess I'll have to vote for his ingenious invention. The arrangement is lovely.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Battle for the Season.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Lee,
DeleteThe Armonica is quite interesting. I'll log your vote for Ben's toy.
Every year "The Nutcracker" hits my hometown in late Nov-early Dec., so I thought I'd have some fun. Thank you, and I'll visit you very soon.
Dixie
Unique battle! ☺ I enjoyed both renditions, but the lovely tinkling sound in the first video attracted me a bit more. Please give my vote to GlassDuo.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie - didn't that have the most delicate sound? Thank you for the compliment. I'll log Glass Duo for you. I'll see you in a bit.
DeleteDixie
Beautiful music from both the glass harp and glass armonica. Like Arlee aid it is a difficult all but I will vote for the glass duo. Delightful battle!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike. I was going for charming or delightful, so that works. Glass Duo takes another vote.
DeleteI enjoyed your battle.
Dixie
What ane enchanting choice, I decided to give my vote to Glass duo.
ReplyDeleteKeep well Dixie.
Yvonne.
'Enchanting' - there's a word I like. Thank you, Yvonne. I'll put you down for Glass Duo.
DeleteDixie
Brilliant choice for the opening BoTB to December! The Nutcracker is possibly my favorite ballet (closely followed if not outright disputed by Giselle and Coppelia—oh, and Swan Lake!—oh, and—forget it, beside the point), and Sugar Plum is my all-time favorite part of it (and over so damn fast, too!). Yes, I love the dance performed, but I also love the music... Which is making it really hard to choose here. Both of these beautifully convey the magic "sugary" feel of the original, and yet they're quite unique. In the end, I'm going to make a decision based on "closest to the original", which is *not* my usual criterion... and that's Zeitler's glass harmonica. (For me.)
ReplyDeleteSuper cool battle!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Ooh, Guilie, I hear ya! Sugary and plum fun! Zeitler is really good with this song. I'll log you for him.
DeleteDixie
This may be your toughest battle to date, Dixie (good job!!!). I love them both. Truly. I'd happily listen to both of them endlessly. Just enchanting, really.
ReplyDeleteGive my vote to the Glass Duo. I really loved that one. In fact, I think I'll watch it again...
Thank you, Robin!!! I play them as I respond to comments. I've no clue which one will finally get my vote, but I have some time, yet.
DeleteHelp yourself - play as much as you'd like. I'll put you in the book for Glass Duo.
Dixie
Both are fascinating and simply beautiful! Great battle Dixie. It's hard to choose because both are so talented but I'm going to go with the glass armonica. I liked the sound of that one just a wee bit better than the Glass Duo.
ReplyDeleteReally great choice for this month. I prepared my posts so long ago that I wasn't even thinking Christmas. I'll have to go back and re-do mine for the 15th. Ha! Have a great week...
Michele at Angels Bark
Hey Michele I'm glad you enjoyed this. With the Christmas battle, anything goes - not just the seasonal tunes. You could do "Christmas in July." Ha!
DeleteI'll log your vote for Zeitler's Armonica.
Dixie
I absolutely love The Nutcracker, the ballet and the music. You have put forth two unique versions, each beautiful in their own right. It's a tough choice, but I believe I liked the sound of the Glass Duo a but more. Give their magical version my vote.
ReplyDeleteGreat battle!
Well said - thank you, Fae! It is magical! Glass Duo is still the fresh sound. I'll show your vote for them.
DeleteDixie
Wow! What a cool idea for a battle. Loved this. Was that Benjamin Franklin performing in the second video? I wonder why that instrument never took off. Odd as it looks, it sounds really cool.
ReplyDeleteBut I liked the first version you presented better. So untraditional to use wine glasses to make music. Now I get why when my dad used to pop a cork on a wine bottle, my mom always replied with, "That's music to my ears".
Please give my vote to the glass harp.
Jeffrey - you are so funny! Ben will be here for the result post. or at least someone will explain what he did.
DeleteOkay, so you're a 'single glass at a time' fella!? I'll put you down for the Glass Duo'd glass harp.
Dixie
Hi Dixie -
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed last BOTB last time so much that I'm back again, pushing the limits of my allotted time!
I'm so glad I visited again this week! This battle is fantastic! I love the music. I love that it is a "classical" battle. And most of all I love that it exposes me to instruments that I'd never heard before.
I am quite familiar with classical music, as it is almost the only style that I listened to while in high school. This piece was a favorite with me as it is with so many others. However, I was not familiar with either of the instruments used OR the performers. I am blown away!
The Glass harp duo wins for me. I thought the performers were in perfect sync, their tones were crisp, and the pacing was just right. Awesome!!
Do you know if the glasses have water but are half empty (or perhaps half full??) or if the different notes are achieved simply through the size of the goblets? If it involves water, I am even more impressed. Think of the detail and precision involved in filling them just right each time just to practice... and then the loss of water through evaporation. Maybe all this thought is for nothing and they are empty! Anyway: what a great BOTB! Thanks!
Surprises happen! Sheboyganboy Six - I grew up with this ballet and many others. In school we watched free classical performances twice a year. I loved it.
DeleteYes, there is water in the glasses and it must be measured accurately. There was a website describing how to make your own, but I don't have enough glasses.
I agree - Glass Duo's coordination was awesome. I'd have wiped out that front row in no time! Ha!
Oops, cutting into your allotted time? Hope you don't have to do penance. And I'm certainly glad it was a battle well-worth the trip to the east coast. (smile).
Glass Duo for you. Thank you for voting and commenting.
Dixie
Dixie -
DeleteI don't think I phrased my comment very well. It came off sounding like I "deigned" to come and visit. It SHOULD have sounded like this: Although the BOTB event has gotten huge and would require more time than I have to listen and vote on all, and although I had previously set a limit of just three (and even then, skipping one occasionally if I ran out of time), I enjoyed your last BOTB so well that I stopped by again. And THEN I should have added: this BOTB has convinced me to try to stop at DCRELIEF for every battle if I have time. No guarantees, so don't take it badly if I don't make it sometimes... but I'm putting it on my to-do list.
Not that this is any great "stepping down from the mountain" for me, or that "you should be eternally grateful and honored." Nuttin' like that. I'm just a non-blogger guy to contribute a vote now and then!
Dear Six,
Delete> >... "Not that this is any great "stepping down from the mountain" for me, or that "you should be eternally grateful and honored." Nuttin' like that. I'm just a non-blogger guy to contribute a vote now and then!"
I will always be excited to see you visit. Time permitting, maybe you'll enjoy listening, voting, and commenting.
It's rather thrilling to think I might be added to someone's 'to do list'. (As I write, I can't get the stupid grin off of my face.) You are a charmer (smile).
As my mentor has said, "Keep your acceptance level high, and your expectation level low." Thank you.
Dixie
The first video won't play for me, so I vote for the second one. Very cool. If we were supposed to present themed music, then I didn't get the memo.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hi Janie. I'm sorry the link wouldn't play for you. However the Armonica is a powerful version of the song. No - themed music is not required. In fact this is not "Christmas" music, but from a play that is Christmas themed.
DeleteI'd didn't Christmas last year. It was all new to me... still in good fun! See you soon.
Logging you for the Armonica.
Dixie
Hi human, Dixie,
ReplyDeleteI actually like both versions equally. So how about that and I guess that means I haven't voted. Oops....
We had sugar plum fairies in our old enchanted garden.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
Hi Penny - it's really nice you could stop by and listen to both songs. No vote? Oh well, maybe the next battle, there''ll be one you like more.
DeleteI bet you miss the old garden. Tell Gary, hello.
Dixie
You could always come over and say hello to us on our blog, my human friend. And yes, Gary and I both miss our garden.
DeletePawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
I'd prefer to no longer have contact with you. I thought we cleared that four years ago. I have blocked you from my blogs.
DeleteDixie
Wow, human, Dixie. I never realised that you had a problem with my human. Like him, we both have good intentions. With that and in all sincerity, goodbye and have a peaceful life.
DeletePenny :)
Thank you.
DeleteThis is so magical and dream-like. I love both! I really felt like I was in a dream. I shall go with the first one just because of how beautiful the 2 seamlessly work together and have to have the correct amount of water in each glass (an not drink it!). I could listen to both equally
ReplyDeleteBirgit - I really agree with your comment. I'm having a difficult time deciding but there's still time to flip a lot of coins before the end date!
DeleteI am very pleased and tickled that you enjoyed this battle! Glass Duo is amazing. I'll log your vote for them. Thank you (smile).
Dixie
DIXIE POLKA ~
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best BOTBs ever! How original! You've gotten so good at this. (Remember when you were thinking of quitting because you thought you weren't any good at BOTBing? Ha!)
I really enjoyed both versions of this piece. Both were winners. And I've heard glasses played before, a number of times, but the GLASS DUO are the best I've ever seen (and heard) and they get my vote easily. The variety of notes and the fullness of their "orchestral" sound made it a clear winner over "Ben Franklin" for me, even though it was a fantastically conceived Battle between worthy adversaries.
That plate you have pictured at the top... YOU PAINTED THAT? The dancers on the plate, you painted them, right? That is AWESOME! I can't believe what a talented artist you are!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
~ D-FensDogG...
DeleteHow am I supposed to remain my humble self, in the face of this complimentary comment? Hmm? Yes, I think my BOT-Bing has improved but let's not go overboard. In this battle I figured there would be lots of Christmas-y music, and I wanted something outside the blog. A pure instrumental that carried memories of life. I could almost call this a 'Soundtrack of my Life'. However, I get what you're saying and I appreciate it.
Hopefully next battle will bring the same sort of joy for everyone! That's really my point in doing battles.
Husband and wife, Glass Duo... I wonder if they hear glass in their sleep? Ha!
> >... "That plate you have pictured at the top... YOU PAINTED THAT? The dancers on the plate, you painted them, right? That is AWESOME! I can't believe what a talented artist you are!"
I hate to disappoint you but that's a PHOTO of a ceramic PLATE I own. My collection contains all eight of 'The Nutcracker' series, circa 1981. Sorry. I do have some round shaped canvas, so I could do it... never thought about it though.
I will try to feature more of my work this coming year. Right now I'm working on a portrait from an old photograph.
Thank you for the very kind words! Your opinion means bunches to me (smile).
Dixie Polka
Both of these were excellent. I'm going to vote for GlassDuo because I enjoyed watching them, and because I was impressed with the sound they got between just the two of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John! I hope the helps usher in Joy for your celebrating (smile).
DeleteGlass Duo takes another vote.
This will go down as my all time favorite BotB competition. Charming and inventive. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is one of my favorites also, and I watch The Nutcracker just about every year. Hard not to be enchanted by that particular ballet.
ReplyDeleteI did love both versions. My vote is going to Glas Duo because they made all the sounds themselves without the accompanying orchestra. Sheer talent; although I'd never seen the long glass instrument played before. The sounds were beautiful from both versions.
Donna Dear - You and Saint Mac have really humbled me this time. How to top this? I loved that ballet. This is the second year I've missed seeing a performance in Blumenthal Theatre. Maybe I can catch at UNC-Charlotte later this month!! Matinees are great because I don't have to drive at night.
DeleteYes, the husband and wife team from Poland really have it together, huh? I'm curious to know what other music they play, having been exposed to this performance.
Thank you and I'll log Glass Duo for you.
Polka Dot
Well, we come back to blogland and see this. What a damn pleasant surprise. I'll echo the others and say this is absolutely one of our favorite BOTBs of all time. So unique and inventive. We love it. It was a tough call, but we both ultimately vote for Glass Duo. Not just because it sounds a little better, but because we're kinda big on duos.
ReplyDeleteGreetings ABftS!
DeleteI hope you two had fun during your absence. I'm pretty sure I left a general (sic) nonchalant comment there. I meant to add that you guys look great in ties - quite fashionable!
Thank you for the compliments. Any suggestions for January's battles? I'l like to remain unique.
So you both liked Glass Duo - quite the pair - them too. Ha!
Thank you for visiting and voting.
Can't wait to hear your 'return' blog!
Dixie
I love Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and you picked some great contestants! It was a tough choice for me, but after all is said and done, my vote goes to William Zeitler. Excellent battle!
ReplyDeleteDixie, Oh, Holy Night in Bethlehem! These vids are amazing!! I'm so taken with both arrangements. I so love stuff like this! This is a tuffy for me, but I'm going to give my vote to the Glass Harp duo ~ very nicely done! Great battle!! Have a very Merry Christmas, my friend! ;)
ReplyDelete