Forbidden Friendship

So I signed up for some music ed classes, and I'm taking conducting and brass methods now! Now I can add even more instruments to my "know how to play instruments" list! Definitely looking forward to it a ton. I also got fitted for my own baton! That was super exciting! I felt like I was getting fitted for a harry potter wand :D Go nerdy-ness! Gotta get a case for it so it doesn't snap in half when I'm carrying it in my back pack, because then it's useless. The downfall to the brass methods class is it's two hours of pure brass playing, right before 2 hours of playing trumpet in symphonic winds, so that will be deadly for a while. At least it will help me work on my endurance skills.

So today, I wanted to review the "How to Train Your Dragon" soundtrack. I have a very high love for this soundtrack and it's constantly playing on my ipod. Anybody who knows me also knows I'm obsessed with the movie as well. Anyways, the history I have with this album consists of me watching the movie and liking the music, then not having enough money on itunes to purchase it so I would constantly be listening to it on youtube just so I could have it while I'm writing papers and such. FINALLY I got enough itunes money to purchase it and now it's one of my highest listened to albums. Why I didn't review this album the other day is beyond me.

This album was composed by John Powell. Because the movie is about vikings, he decided to incorporate a little Celtic feel through out the album and is very predominate in some pieces.  Right out of the gates, with "This is Berk" you are thrust right into the action of the first scene of the movie, and the music definitely does it justice. With the heavy tone and exciting feel, you are already excited to continue watching the movie.

As the album continues you hear more of the fabulous celtic themes and dramatic areas. The next notable piece I want to discuss, and the piece that I fell in love with as I was watching the movie is "Forbidden Friendship". As you may have noticed, this piece is the title of today's blog. I did that because of the impact it had on me. For awhile this piece was constantly on repeat and I would have nothing else playing but this. Anyways, this piece is all about friendship (if you couldn't tell by the title). It's just so heart felt and lovely.

Lastly, the piece that always gives me the chills is "See You Tomorrow" My absolute favorite part is at 1:25. If you listen closely there are 3 different melodies playing. There is the base line playing continuing to play the base melody heard in the rest of the piece, low brass playing this beautiful melodic melody and the strings playing the original theme, ALL ON TOP OF EACH OTHER'S PARTS! And it's just so amazing, it's just something you have to listen to over and over again.

Despite being one of my favorite soundtracks EVER, I give "How To Train Your Dragon" a full bar of 8th notes! ♫♫♫♫! I believe that John Powell did an amazing job composing the music for this movie, and I believe it completely deserved it's Oscar nomination.  I actually am quite upset that it didn't win the oscar for best original score. I feel that it was 10 times better than the social networks soundtrack. But oh well, it has still won in my heart. :)

-Trumpetgirly

Audition Day

After playing piano for 7 years, trumpet for almost 11 and drums for 2 years, you'd think that being able to sight read would just be a given by now. I guess everybody is different because after all that, I still can't sight read to save my life. After doing my seating audition for my school's Symphonic Wind Ensemble, I wonder if I'm even going to get a good seat. I could just sit here and hope that my professor will give me the benefit of the doubt over the new freshman, knowing how I actually preform, but I don't want to just start assuming. Whatever happens, happens I guess, and all I can do is sit and wait until Tuesday comes around and I get my parts.

So I feel that I really have the urge to talk about the soundtrack for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2. Oh. My. Gosh. Never before have I ever fallen in love with a soundtrack when it's just in preview stage, then love it still even before I've seen the movie. And guess what, after seeing the movie twice now, I love it even more. All I can pretty much say at the moment, is this is definitely the best Harry Potter soundtrack that is out there. Whenever I hear pieces such as (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!) "Snapes Demise" or "Snape and Lily" I just naturally start tearing up because of the content of the movie. Also, I don't know about you, but when I was watching the 19 years later scene, and "Leaving Hogwarts" piece from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I almost cried out with joy. I was just so darn happy!! And all the little tid bits of Hedwigs theme thrown through out the soundtrack! I was about to die of joy. If I could meet Alexandre Desplat right now, I would give him a huge hug and thank him for making the last movie the best. (I'd probably ask him to sign something for me as well :P) I don't know what else to say to do this soundtrack justice, because I can't come up with anything else to express my joy of it.

So, "Dragon Flight", this is one of my favorite pieces from the soundtrack just because it's so majestic. It starts out very stressful (if you've seen the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about) and around :45, it just becomes so pretty it makes you melt inside. Here's a great example of Hedwig's Theme! Yay for Hedwig's theme! Highly recommended for any itunes library.

I love this piece, it's so chilling and really starts out the movie in the right tone.

Dramatic war music! love Love LOVE :11 onward. This melody is also in "Statues". Whenever I listen to it, it makes me feel like I'm about to go into battle right on with them.

I can't even think of anything to say to this one. Whenever I hear it I want to cry. :'(

So everybody! Practice your site reading skills, because you never know when you are going to need them! Also, make sure to take a look at the Harry Potter soundtrack mentioned! It's definitely worth a listen, and if you end up not liking it, just blame me. :P But make sure to let me know what you think! Tootles!

-Trumpetgirly