Music has always played a significant role in my life An Artist Portrait (Part Two) - This is the Part Two (and final part) of the true life story as artist written by Frank V. Cahoj for our Weblog. (Part One) An Artist Portrait (Part Two) I give an unbelievable amount of credence to these two early periods in my life: one of everlasting creation, one of analysis and disillusionment. The… , starting from my earliest memories of classical music resonating through our home. My father possessed a collection of 78s and an electric player that required frequent needle changes. I vividly recall watching him diligently replace the needle every eight plays, a task he would never allow anyone else to handle.
As children, my siblings and I would often perform singing recitals, especially during Christmas time. I am grateful for the musical exposure our parents provided us, although my father displayed a single-mindedness when my brother Kenneth brought home a recording of the new rock A Finnish music story - Musician Matti Mattila wrote his story for us, a Finnish music story! Please read also his Finnish blog and check his page at LinkedIn. I named this article "A Finnish music story" because through Matti words we can know an exclusive tale about late 70's and 80's of Finnish music. Of course the personal thoughts… and roll sensation, Buddy Holly, in the late 1950s. Father seemed to think it was inappropriate music and believed that the record couldn’t possibly match the caliber of his beloved Beethoven or Mozart recordings.
He would engage in ongoing discussions with Kenneth about playing those records on his radiogram. As for my desire to play Beatles and Rolling Stones records a few years later, there was no comment to be had!
Both my brothers received piano lessons from our Aunt Win and became skilled at playing classical music. As for me, in 1962, I was too preoccupied with my Uncle Frank’s brand new MGB roadster to focus, despite my mother’s attempts to inspire me.
My eldest brother, Robert, turned out to be a highly accomplished musician What Is A Musician? - For some individuals, the role of a musician may be difficult to comprehend. They may struggle to understand: 1 - the nature of a musician's talent or job, 2 - why musicians work around the clock, and 3 - the concept of a fanbase and the boundaries musicians set with fans. Let's delve into each… , skillfully playing the French horn for many years. Kenneth, on the other hand, would later earn free beers at the NAFFI bar by energetically performing songs, even if it meant facing the consequences of a hangover during parade the following day.
After leaving home to join the British Armed Forces, I quickly discovered that my barracks mates were not particularly fond of Grieg being played in our living quarters. I faced the same challenge as my father — diverse tastes in music. Consequently, I resorted to using headphones to enjoy my preferred compositions. However, when The Who came on, the dynamics changed entirely, and we often found ourselves reprimanded by the Duty Sergeant for playing the music too loudly!
Over time, my passion for music grew, and my vinyl record collection expanded to encompass a wide range of artists, from Amadeus Mozart to Led Zeppelin. Yet, if I were forced to select just one piece of music to take with me to a desert island, it would have to be Mozart’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 73.
My favorite recording of this magnificent piece, among the many I possess, is Deutsche Grammophon 136550 SLPEM (stereo – 1968), featuring Karl Leister on clarinet and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rafael Kubelik. I acquired this recording while stationed in Germany in 1970, and since then, I have added other exceptional renditions of the concerto to my collection. However, I find Karl Leister’s interpretation, particularly of the Adagio movement, to perfectly capture Mozart’s intention of composing the most profoundly expressive movement for a solo instrument.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
