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Musing #7- Music of Ukraine! CAROL OF THE BELLS

Admittedly we did not know that “Carol of the Bells” was written by a Composer of Ukraine however, we’re pleased to mention that we have always had this Ukraine melody in stock. As per Wikipedia: Carol of the Bells is a popular Christmas carol, with music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. It was written in 1914[1] with lyrics by Peter…

How to Select the Perfect Wind Chimes for Your Home

How to Pick the Perfect Wind Chimes for Your Home

Magical enough to inspire an entire song by Brian Wilson, wind chimes have long soothed the mind and heart of humans — they create a range of experiences for us. Crafted by man and played by the breeze, they can alternately provide a subconscious backdrop or be the focal point of your concentration. Wind chimes…

Musing #6 – Carousel or a Merry-Go-Round? There is a difference!

“Are you aware that there is a difference? Merry-go-Rounds or Round-a-bouts as they are called in the United Kingdom, revolve Clock-wise as they do in the rest of Europe. Here in the U.S.A. our carousels (derivatives: French carrousel and Italian garosello) turn counter-clockwise. In either case, they charm their riders by revolving (one way or…

Musing #5 – Parade or March? of the Tin or Wooden? Soldiers.

Confused about “Parade of the Tin Soldiers” or “March of the Wooden Soldiers” or “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”??  They are all one in the same! This instrumental march (originally composed for piano)  was  written by the German composer, Leon Jessel in 1897 and called, “Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten”   (translation: The Parade of the…

Musing #4 – Happy Birthday Copyright

Interesting information about copyright and permission to use the tune “Happy Birthday” (published in the LA Times). None of the companies that have collected royalties on the “Happy Birthday” song for the past 80 years held a valid copyright claim to one of the most popular songs in history, a federal judge in Los Angeles…

Musing #3 – How to Compose a New Tune

Having trouble composing a new tune? Domenico Scarlatti’s “Cat Fugue” was composed after his cat trod upon his keyboard. The cat’s name was Pulcinella, most likely inspired by the classical character well known in Neopolitan Puppetry that originated with the Commedia dell”arte in the 17th century. A later version of a similar character is commemorated…

Musing #2 – Savage Beast or Breast?

Do you know that the correct phrase is “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast” not “beast” and that the incorrect version is more often spoken than the correct one? The phrase was coined by William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697: “Music has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or…

Soothing Sounds of Wind Chimes

Bring Music into Your Life with Musical Wind Chimes Glorious tones to soothe the soul can be provided by wind chimes on your patio, balcony or in your garden…even inside your home as you walk by and gently tap them. They are composed of sets of suspended tuned rods or tubes that are made of…

Gregorian Wind Chimes

Gregorian Wind Chime Series Create a cathedral of sound with these wonderful chimes,tuned to a medieval scale, they echo the vocal music of the gothic era, sung to accompany meditation in the churches of Europe since the late 18th Century.  Garry Kvistad (CEO of Woodstock Chimes) conceived this set while listening to the hypnotic sounds…

Gregorian Chant

True or False:    Pope Saint Gregory invented the Gregorian Chant.     Similar manuscripts are available at TheMusicHouse.Com    Click Here to view more information and the answer to this blog.