Enniv Zarf's Concert Recap - Nov. 29, 2008

Written by Enniv Zarf
Metaverse Music
Second Life Live Music
Enniv Zarf's Home

Alright, I finally have some time to write up a post about my own playing today, it was definitely a crazy concert.

Now since I am writing this myself, I can't really be reviewing my own music. It just wouldn't be fair now would it. I am sure some people like it and some will have their own thoughts and opinions about it. Nevertheless it's still my own music so I won't review it. But if you were at the concert and want to drop your own review, please feel free to make a comment here. Just please keep in mind that if you do so anonymously, I may remove some if they are extremely inappropriate since there's no one to trace it back to...lol. Ok I really won't unless if there are foul language used!

Well today, I literally played for an entire hour non-stop, ok, it was 50 mins, I checked, cause I have the recording, which I am planning to release.

Well it was definitely different and I didn't know what to expect if anyone even stayed till the end. I was like thinking will I finish and turn to the audience and they'd be completely gone cause they didn't get what I was doing. I mean I'm here playing a 50 minute epic improv!!!! Who in the world does that!!!!

Apparently I do, and I did.

The concert was amazing and Gwen's sculpture is just as amazing as ever - Fire Heart was the end result.

We started with 1 prim, I asked her to rez out a single prim and then I'll start improving to just 1 prim...and I did. I told her I could play to anything, and play to anything I did!

I did try to bring some coherency to the entire performance by bringing in recurring themes and ideas so that it doesn't sound like a 50 minutes stream of consciousness. And much of that is derived from that single prim concept of the sphere and the circular motion that is created from the idea of the sphere.

Throughout the concert I did explore the different parts of the sculpture, the new ideas being introduced, along with techniques Gwen used, and colors and sizing and everything else.

The concert was just fantastic fun to play, cause rarely do I get a chance to play 50 minutes straight. The time did pass right by too, and I didn't even realize it. Just watching Gwen create and just feeding off of that really was tremendously helpful in trying to get the music to continue to go and move.

Now I'm just trying to figure out the best way to release this recording which I am pretty certain I want to be doing, but I still need to figure out the best way. I'm pretty sure though it would be a Second Life only release, since I'm not sure if it's viable to release in RL at all.

Well I look forward to my next concert, which I have to post soon about it, and start pushing that concert. It's just one after another here!!! Dec. 3, 2008, 8pmSLT everyone!!! See you at my gallery!!!

Review: Mash Rhode @ Bushy Beard Pub

Written by Enniv Zarf
Second Life Indie Music Review
The Bushy Beard Pub

I have to say this has got to be my first rather not so positive review!

Funny thing is that I was just talking to my friend about SL music and how he doesn't go to concerts especially the singers cause there are just so many singers who are totally out of tune. Right before I left he even said to me that he hoped my ears won't hurt. Guess what, it's hurting.

Literally the first sound I heard out of Mash made me jump right out of my chair and I was about to just tp away.

But I thought that would not be the right thing to do if I were to actually be serious about reviewing music. If all I ever do is positive then what am I doing really? I want to be supportive, but I said from the start that I will be honest. I'll just try not to be too mean. And also maybe that was just a fluke, and I have to give him a little chance...to maybe change my mind.

Mash is from Dublin Ireland and is actually both a watercolor painter as well as a guitarist and singer.

Well the good side is Mash's guitar playing is descent, at least something that I can live with. His playing is clean and clear and his sound is pretty good. There aren't any intonation issues, well since it's a guitar.

But his singing is just off. There are serious intonation problems and pitch inaccuracy that isn't just a "style." Admittedly there was a song near the end that I actually could actually listen to, basically whenever he's not trying sing in his higher register.

All in all, Mash has got to get his intonation issues under control. I am often surprised how people are so enthusiastically applauding something who have such serious issues that in RL would never get any attention...well maybe not. There are problems like that in RL too.

I will say though Mash does have a great voice quality when he sounds good. But it's rare to hear the couple of moments when he sounds descent, and these are when he uses his natural voices to sing. Most of his higher register sounds where he's really pushing doesn't work and is harsh and off pitch. That's a problem I find time and time again with a lot of singers in Second Life. They try so hard to get this "voice" this "sound" to sound like what a singer is supposed to sound like. But it doesn't work. You can't try to force that kind of sound, you can only have that kind of sound.

So if Mash just let his natural voice come through more often and just relax his singing a bit, I think he will sound tremendously better. And then if he can really work on those intonation problems, then Mash can actually be a great singer that could be great to listen to and enjoy. But for now, I would say he's on my not so great to listen to list...sorry Mash.

Well I don't want to make this anything personal. I have nothing against Mash at all. I think he's doing his best and wants to provide good entertainment. But please, please Mash if you are working on this, please work on that intonation problem and I will definitely revisit my review for you!

Take care everyone and until next time!

The Complete PK Works Winter 2008 Schedule!!!!!

PK Works Winter 2008
Colors in a Black and White World
==========
Art Exhibit Opens December 1, 2008
Music Concerts: November 26, 29 December 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20 2008
Check http://ennivzarf.blogspot.com for additional concert announcements

Theme: Colors in a Black and White World

Musician in Resident: Enniv Zarf
Guest Musician: Eliz Wantanabe, Eithne McBride, Hime Sak
Guest Artists: Gracie Kendal, Kritz Etzel, Texanna Schumann, TommyLee Nightfire, Verde Otaared
Managing Director: Caivan Hancroft

The idea of "Colors in a Black and White World" is to reflect the colorful diversity in the world in which we reside in that often times are consumed within our obsessive notion of what is clear and black and white. Thus our Black and White building which was inspired by the black and white piano will host a variety of artists works of colorful nature from a diverse background. Henceforth the theme "Colors in a Black and White World."

We ask that you all come here in colorful clothings to our concerts as we celebrate this winter season the wonderful diversity Second Life brings to our world.

100% of the proceeds of art works by the artists sold at PK Works go directly to the artists. PK Works does not charge artists any commission.

http://www.paulkwo.com
http://www.krystalepic.com
http://www.myspace.com/paulkwo
http://CMinSL.blogspot.com
http://ennivzarf.blogspot.com
http://blog.paulkwo.com

==========
All Enniv Zarf's concerts are 1 hour long unless otherwise indicated.

>> Nov. 26, 2008 - Colorful Thanksgiving
A freestyle thanksgiving improv extravaganza
> 8pmSLT
PK Works

>> Nov. 29, 2008 - Colorful Media
A build & play multi-media concert
With Sculpture Artist Gwen Carillon
> 12pm SLT
Music Island
Contact: Kate Miranda

>> Dec. 3, 2008 - Colorful Art
A celebration of the diversity in art works by various artists in SL with Enniv's freestyle piano improv music
> 8pmSLT
PK Works

>> Dec. 6, 2008 - An Avant-Garde Holiday
An extreme experimental concert of experimental techniques on the piano with talking points by Enniv Zarf on the Piano. This is a very different contemporary music concert all improvised!!!
> 7pmSLT
PK Works

>> Dec. 10, 2008 - Colorful Art II
A continuing celebration of diversity in art and music
> 8pmSLT
PK Works

>> Dec. 13, 2008 - Romantic Love
1/2 hour showcase at the famous Freestar Musician Showcase
> 930pmSLT-10pmSLT
Freestar Bay
Contact: Freestar Tammas

>> Dec. 14, 2008 - Human Rights
A support for human rights around the world with Enniv's music at the Cetus gallery. All proceeds go to charity.
> 7pmSLT
Cetus
Contact: Jonah Zenovka or Alexxa Laval

>> Dec. 17, 2008 - PK Works Holiday Bash
Join us at this special holiday party concert of Enniv Zarf this year!!!!! This is a NOT TO BE MISSED party! Holiday music along with improv and all sorts of good stuff. Special gifts for all attendees!!! Guest musicians includes Hime Sak, Eliz Wantanbe and Eithne McBride
> 7pmSLT - 9pmSLT
- 7pmSLT - Eliz Wantanbe - Singer
- 730pmSLT - Eithne McBride - Flutest
- 8pmSLT - Hime Sak - Chinese Yangqin Player
- 830pmSLT - Enniv Zarf - Pianist/Singer
PK Works

>> Dec. 20, 2008 - PK Works 2008 Finale
Join us at the official final 2008 concert of Enniv Zarf this year! Enniv will be performing his beloved freestyle piano improv in all its freedom and flash! Join us on this Saturday night and celebrate a wonderful and successful year!
> 7pmSLT
PK Works

Review: VIRTUAL ROBODOCK FESTIVAL 2008 IN SECONDLIFE - Sunday 11/23/08

Written by Enniv Zarf

Alright, so where can I possibly go within minutes of hearing a new music concert by a music composition student who's currently studying abroad in Russia???

Answer: VIRTUAL ROBODOCK FESTIVAL 2008 IN SECONDLIFE

I got a group IM in my contemporary music group, which I did start btw to promote contemporary music and experimental music of all kinds! Well Ze Moo invited everyone to this what turns out to be a huge festival that ran from Nov. 19, 2008 all the way to Nov. 29, 2008.

Today is day four of the performance and a few people are actually scheduled to perform. The show already started at noon and will last probably past my staying there. I have other things to do too ya know! Well it is six hours long total today.

Well I was there at Nutski Newman's performance. It is absolutely fascinating!

Personally I don't know all that much about experimental soundscapes and how to make them. I haven't really dealt with electronic sounds though I have the equipment and sorta now really wanna be playing with it.

Well Nutski specializes in environmental sounds, soundscapes and long mixes as well as extraordinary music. HE has his own radio stream at: live.nu/altena.m3u.

His music is supported by graphics that are projected on the projector in the back along with a whole environment with smoke and other effects.




There are really no limits as to what contemporary music can be. I consider this all to be a part of the world of art music which is the same as Classical Music. It is always about Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Of course this is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. In fact they do cross over to the world of Popular music as well.

But the soundscapes and environmental music poses questions about what music is and should be and can be. If music is simply organized sounds, then of course all sounds made by human beings in any conceivable way could be thought of as music! What is the limit and where do we draw the line? Maybe we should draw, and let each listener determine for themselves what the world of music should be and could be.

The Virtual Robodock Festival's music reminds me of that. Even sometimes I lose track of what I want to do and what music is. I get caught up with the freestyle piano improv that are audience friendly and pretty and forget that there are other types of music I want to explore as well. This festival inspired me back to pushing the envelope and going to the fringes of sounds and soundscapes and create new paintings of musical languages and thoughts and ideas.

Well thanks Ze Moo for taking me there, even if it is for a short time that I could stay.

Be sure to drop by the festival between now and Nov. 29. Whether you are a die hard Classical nut who won't touch anything composed after 1950 or you are a Pop music encyclopedia, this festival whether you like it or not will at the very least give you a new perspective of what music can be to some people. And it is in the end whether we approve of certain music or not, important that we are at least educated and have experienced it at least once, or even half a time.

Contact Jce Emoto - festival manager/curator for information about this festival.
Complete info at: http://dfm.nu/robodock

Until next time...
...Play on...

Review: Aura Petrov at Music Island

Article by Enniv Zarf
Visit http://CMinSL.blogspot.com to read more about Classical Music in Second Life.

Music Island is always one of my favorite Classical Venues in Second Life. Kate Miranda, a great friend of mine runs the venue on the island and have brought to SL some of the most amazing performers from all backgrounds and levels.

Today's concert featured the violinist Aura Petrov.

It is great to see that in Second Life, we embrace musicians of all levels and backgrounds who just love to share their music. It is always exciting to hear new voices and new people come in and show us what they love and share with us music in their own accord. In the end, we are all growing and that's what counts!

Program:
Air On a G String - J.S. Bach
Minuet In G - L.V. Beethoven
Traumerei - R. Schumann
Seranade - R. Schubert
Cavatine OP.85, No 3 - J. Raff
Minauet Divertimento, Kv. 334 - W. A. Mozart
Berceuse - B. Godard
Humoreske - A. Dvorak
Hungarian Dance No 5. - J.S. Brahms

I believe in honesty and there's no reason to hide anything or mask what we thought. It doesn't help anyone and it certainly doesn't help music. Well Aura Petrov is not a virtuoso. Her program today included many works that I have learned myself as a teenager studying the violin. They were performed well as I would expect on the level of a descent intermediate/advance student of the instrument.

But there is nothing wrong with this. Everyone is at a different level and we should all be supportive of the arts and in Second Life, this is a great platform for those who are joining in the world of music and performance to get a chance to do so and get the experience necessary to keep growing.

I can hear her love for the music as she performed the works. And she definitely did show us a set of repertoire that many other established artists may not ever touch. But she did have definitely intonation problems aside from her technical issue of the balance between her and her CD player accompaniment. There were also some steadiness of rhythm that could be bettered but then that could also just be the stream messing with the performance. Finally I would say that the tone quality of the instrument can use a little bit more ironing out to get that beautiful singing tone on some of the slower pieces especially.

In the end, it is a sweet set of music that I do love. I have a fond admiration for the Schumann, Dvorak and Brahms of this set. They do stir up a lot of my childhood memories and love. The biggest problem with today's performance was the lag in the stream. I am not sure where the problem actually came from, but it made it extremely difficult to enjoy much of the music since parts of it were literally missing and skipped over. I hope Aura Petrov will get a chance to resolve this problem for her future performances.

Finally, the concert ended 40 minutes after the hour which is shorter then the usual hour long concerts at Music Island. I hope Aura continues to work on her craft and presents us with her next program down the road.