Matthew D. Nielsen
@matthewdnielsen.bsky.social
Conductor, composer, baritone.
Author of “The Technique of Choral Writing” (https://amzn.to/3y64jnF).
Dog dad to Aoife.
Proudly Bi 💙💜💖
Author of “The Technique of Choral Writing” (https://amzn.to/3y64jnF).
Dog dad to Aoife.
Proudly Bi 💙💜💖
My book has an entire chapter with descriptions about different types of choirs, their strengths and weakness, and strategies for writing. My beta readers also recommend I include some of this information as a chart in an appendix.
May 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
My book has an entire chapter with descriptions about different types of choirs, their strengths and weakness, and strategies for writing. My beta readers also recommend I include some of this information as a chart in an appendix.
Beethoven pushed the boundaries of what instruments and musicians were capable of. Instruments can be rebuilt to be more hardy and sturdy, but sadly, the human voice cannot. Beethoven was also probably too deaf to hear this struggle. His 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis are very challenging to sing.
May 3, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Beethoven pushed the boundaries of what instruments and musicians were capable of. Instruments can be rebuilt to be more hardy and sturdy, but sadly, the human voice cannot. Beethoven was also probably too deaf to hear this struggle. His 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis are very challenging to sing.
Vocalises can also be written with nonsense syllables as demonstrated in “Klangfelder Raumschwingungen Oszillationen” by Wolfram Buchenberg.
May 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Vocalises can also be written with nonsense syllables as demonstrated in “Klangfelder Raumschwingungen Oszillationen” by Wolfram Buchenberg.
Vocalises are usually written with one or more vowels indicated (as in this case of Flos Campi by Ralph Vaughan Williams). Although, if a composer wishes to leave the vowel(s) indeterminate, they are free to leave it out (as shown previously in the Ravel).
May 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Vocalises are usually written with one or more vowels indicated (as in this case of Flos Campi by Ralph Vaughan Williams). Although, if a composer wishes to leave the vowel(s) indeterminate, they are free to leave it out (as shown previously in the Ravel).
Thankfully, neither of these approaches are mutually exclusive, and can be blended together. Palestrina uses both approaches in his Pope Marcellus Mass.
April 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Thankfully, neither of these approaches are mutually exclusive, and can be blended together. Palestrina uses both approaches in his Pope Marcellus Mass.
Melismatic settings were very popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods and lend themselves to a meditative or luxuriating quality.
April 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Melismatic settings were very popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods and lend themselves to a meditative or luxuriating quality.
Syllabic settings are especially effective when one desires a musical gesture that is speech-like and declamatory in nature.
April 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Syllabic settings are especially effective when one desires a musical gesture that is speech-like and declamatory in nature.
Setting texts is the foundation of writing choral music. Words can be set generally in two ways: syllabically and melismatically. In syllabic word settings each syllable is sung on a single note. In melismatic settings syllables are sung across multiple pitches.
April 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Setting texts is the foundation of writing choral music. Words can be set generally in two ways: syllabically and melismatically. In syllabic word settings each syllable is sung on a single note. In melismatic settings syllables are sung across multiple pitches.
I absolutely LOVE these new electric buses being used by #BigBlueBus. So much quieter, a much smoother ride, and shockingly quick! More of these please.
April 29, 2025 at 6:10 AM
I absolutely LOVE these new electric buses being used by #BigBlueBus. So much quieter, a much smoother ride, and shockingly quick! More of these please.
🎶“E’er you left your room this morning…” 🎵
March 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
🎶“E’er you left your room this morning…” 🎵
Tapping the sign again:
March 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Tapping the sign again:
Tapping the sign again:
March 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Tapping the sign again:
Ugh, don’t even get me started about sidewalks in LA
January 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Ugh, don’t even get me started about sidewalks in LA
Smoke from the Pacific Palisades fire from Ocean Ave in Santa Monica.
January 7, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Smoke from the Pacific Palisades fire from Ocean Ave in Santa Monica.
We got a white Christmas this year! #christmasmiracle
December 25, 2024 at 6:23 PM
We got a white Christmas this year! #christmasmiracle
These Santa Fe sunsets are unreal
December 19, 2024 at 7:12 PM
These Santa Fe sunsets are unreal
Getting a good chuckle out of these real reviews for vacation condos in Santa Fe.
December 10, 2024 at 7:05 PM
Getting a good chuckle out of these real reviews for vacation condos in Santa Fe.
I’m so excited to be singing with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale for this Christmas season. If you’re in Northern New Mexico, come and see us!
December 9, 2024 at 6:12 PM
I’m so excited to be singing with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale for this Christmas season. If you’re in Northern New Mexico, come and see us!