Music 1010 – Musician Paper – by Kellie Tyrrell. Born in 1977 Family valued music Family rule that everyone must play an instrument that existed.

Music 1010 – Musician Paper – by Kellie Tyrrell

Born in 1977 Family valued music

Family rule that everyone must play an instrument that existed before the 1800’s

Nelson first chose the violin

This did not end up being the instrument for him

Dad brought home the CelloHurray!!!! Nelson credits his parents for where he is today Obtained music degree from the University of Utah

Nelson combines traditional cello techniques with a technique called “cello percussion: He utilizes a recording devices he can control with his feet so he is able to accompany himself. He continues to explore the sounds and capabilities of the cello – wood and electric

Nelson has performed with many different artists and has recorded on over 100 different albums “Sacred Cello (2006)” (album cover shown) was Nelson’s first solo album This was followed by “Tender Mercies (2008)” and “Christmas Cello (2010):

Most recently, Nelson has partnered with the Piano Guys Working closely with Jon Schmidt, Nelson and the Piano Guys have created some internet sensations The Piano Guys has a Youtube subscription channel which showcases Nelson’s latest releases as well as his collaborations with Jon Schmidt

Nelson teamed up with Marshall McDonald to write two symphonies (to date)

“Spanish Trail (2006)” “Africa (2008)”

Flyer for “Africa” shown The Orchestra of Southern Utah was filmed playing “Africa” for a podcast which became the number one classical podcast with over 30 million downloads

“Tender Mercies” is extracted from the symphony “Africa” Nelson feels this is the most emotional piece of the symphony It highlights the experiences of hardships giving the perspective to enjoy life more

Tender Mercies (Youtube)

Listening Guide – Tender Mercies“Tender Mercies” 7:00 minutes

0:00 – Intro, the basses open the piece playing a low sustained note.0:11 – Strings enter playing melody0:31 – Lead cello takes over the melody with the orchestra

accompaniment0:39 – Clarinet mimics cello 1:18 – Lead cello once again takes melody will full orchestra repeating

earlier phrase2:33 – strings take the melody – I almost think I hear vocals soft in the

background, it could be the basses or cellos humming2:42 – lead cello2:56 – chimes introduce a new section and a high piccolo soars above

while low flute and clarinet provide a counterpoint – provides a brightness to the music making it more optimistic.

3:59 – piccolo takes melody 4:10 - strings echo melody played by piccolo4:19 – piccolo again soars weaving through the strings seeming to give a

hopeful note to the music.5:06 – piccolo and orchestra build to a crescendo piccolo continues to

weave melody through the strings.6:18 – strings take the thread of music and hand off to the clarinet 6:44 – piccolo slowly fades out while strings extend beyond and then

slowly drift off.

Moonlight was inspired by “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven Nelson used 2 5-string electric cellos and the acoustic cello to give this piece “a unique feel and a high level of emotion” Can you hear the other melody snagged from a different Beethoven piece?

Moonlight (Youtube)

Listening Guide - Moonlight“Moonlight” 4:00 (Youtube version) [actual music length 3:40]

I used the Youtube version because the time track did not work on the iTunes version I purchased. 

0:00 – intro is wind sound giving a feeling of desolation

0:09 – Verse 1 cello begins melody strings are plucked (pizzicato) - beat is put in loop and is repeated

0:29 – piano enters with a flourish and beat is created by hitting the bow across the strings – beat continues

0:45 – a cello being bowed picks up the melody

1:06 – Verse 2 begins with an electric cello percussion set starting with one cello, a second electric cello enters and then a third electric cello is added in a mix of cello percussion and string plucking

1:22 – a fourth cello, wood being bowed, is added to the cello percussion

1:47 – Chorus, drum set, piano, and cellos all together, music builds

2:17 – Verse 3 Music softens with one cello playing then second cello joins

2:34 – the sound of the wind

2:39 – Chorus dramatic downbeat with drums, cellos, and piano all together

3:18 – Bridge piano with cellos

3:33 – synthesized fade out

3:40 - end

“Cello Wars” was a result of 6 months of production Nelson used the recording device to create 72 audio tracks Nelson co-arranged this piece with Al van der Beek from the original by John Williams The following themes were used in this arrangement

The Imperial March Duel of the Fates May the Force be With You Star Wars Main Theme Cantina Band

Cello Wars(Youtube)

Listening Guide – Cello Wars“Cello Wars” 4:10 (Youtube version) [actual music length 3:40] 0:00 – Jedi Steven and Sith Steven take the stage0:15 – Jedi Steven begins by creating a beat using his bow against the electric

cello0:33 – Jedi Steven’s light saber is ignited and brandished.0:37 – first song in medley is started on first cello0:40 – Sith Steven ignites his light saber 0:45 – Second cello picks up the melody, strings are plucked rather than bowed.0:53 – 2nd song in medley is added1:11 – light saber duel begins 3rd song in the medley1:38 – You will hear Chewbacca1:45 – crescendo to a dramatic flourish which fades2:00 – Darth Vader breathing2:06 – Solo accordion playing the Cantina Song to an awkward fade out2:24 – 4th song in medley is added2:54 – all four songs can be heard together3:18 – the Cantina song is added to the medley3:35 – Chewbacca again3:40 – dramatic ending.

Acknowledgements

Podcast, The Cricket and Seagull, Tender Mercies

Wiki-pedia the Piano Guys Youtube StevenSharpNelson.com Sacredcello.com Facebook.com/

StevenSharpNelsonMusic