WHAT'S NEW

March 17, 2013 Rockport, MA

Shalin Liu Performance Center

So often we think of Europe having an exclusive on great recital halls. Not so if you find yourself at the Shalin Liu Performance center in Rockport MA. How rare it is to play a recital with the sea at your back!

This has to be one the most inspiring environments I have played in. The wood and stone in addition to the glass behind the performer provide an exquisite acoustic.

Not only was I thrilled to perform there, but I had the impression the audience was happy just to be looking out at the water. The fact that they enjoyed the music of, among other composers, Bach and Mozart was a bonus!!
Encore I say!!!!!

 

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY

Amazing Grace is an iconic melody to say the least. I have heard so many wonderful musicians sing and play this powerful tune through the years. The one that will always amaze me is Aretha Franklin’s version on her extraordinary recording Amazing Grace. In addition, I was very moved by the Bill Moyer’s documentary Amazing Grace. To launch this web site, I am giving away my arrangement. I would like to thank Joseph Shields for generously copying the arrangement.

Ben's Arrangement of Amazing Grace (PDF)

Happy Summer to all

It’s been a while since we launched the site I have a few new projects to share.

The first is a campaign video for a documentary I am scoring called Corrida Goyesque. Over a year ago I was approached by dear friend Chris Burke to write the music for a documentary he wanted to make about art, the bull and bullfighting. I am not a fan of bullfighting, but the more I thought about my role in the film and the various emotional elements the film contained, I decided to do it. It has been, and will continue to be, quite a journey. I will write about it at a later date in Deep thoughts.

We hope to be posting videos of Bill and Ben later in the summer.

In teaching tips, look for a complete guide to putting on ping -pong ball nails by Kim Perlak. There are real perils in using crazy glue on one’s nails, but the fact is for many with horrible nails, it’s the only way to create a good sound. Kim gives you a step by step procedure which she was generous enough to let me post.

In addition, my piece Tread Lightly is finally copied and will be available for downloading soon.

Have fun stay cool and I promise to be back sooner this time with new things to share on the site.

Aloha,
Ben