The Violin Music of East Germany Part IV: Hanns Eisler.

July 22, 2020 by Hannah Murray in research

The 4th installment of my exploration of East German Violin Music project features Hanns Eisler. Eisler is probably the most internationally well-known composer in this project. He collaborated with Brecht, wrote a book with Adorno, studied with Schoenberg, wrote for Hollywood (he was even nominated for an Academy Award), and so much more. His politics defined him and his music - read on to find out about how that shaped his legacy and his music.

Sound Healing and Reiki at The Gentle Barn

July 16, 2020 by Hannah Murray in performances

I love horses so imagine my delight when Faith invited me to the Gentle Barn to give a Reiki and Sound Healing session with her. Read all about it in this blog post and check out some photos of my new friends.

Finlandia - A Song of Peace

July 07, 2020 by Hannah Murray in research, fun

I wrote this blog post while thinking about my beginning orchestra students at Longfellow Elementary. It started as me arranging their orchestra music for 4 violins and then, true to form, I couldn’t help digging around and learning a little more and then writing even more about the piece. Hope you enjoy Finlandia in several different arrangements...including mine AND the Indigo Girls.

The Violin Music of East Germany Part III: Johannes Paul Thilman

June 29, 2020 by Hannah Murray in research, the violin

Part 3 of my exploration of violin music from East Germany focuses on Johannes Paul Thilman from Dresden. While Thilman was very popular and celebrated during his lifetime his music has mostly been (sadly) forgotten - a shame because he wrote some wonderful violin music. I am so excited to introduce one of my new musical friends to you!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

June 11, 2020 by Hannah Murray in reflections

I’ve been thinking about community recently. Who is in it? How do we interact? What do we need? The best analogy I could come up with - and I’ve committed a lot of thought to this - is a garden. Think about all the most beautiful gardens you’ve ever seen in the world. What do they have in common? How can you translate that to your community?

Finally Sharing My Quarantine Playlist

May 21, 2020 by Hannah Murray in research, the violin

Finally getting around to sharing my quarantine playlist with the world. Too bad there is only one song on it. The Bach Chaconne in D minor is holding major space in my life so I just couldn’t help myself. I needed to share it with you. Welcome to my current obsession. Join me on this wild, baroque ride.

The Violin Music of East Germany Part II: Kurt Schwaen

May 13, 2020 by Hannah Murray in the violin, research

Spotlight on the life and music of Kurt Schwaen, a composer who lived and worked in East Germany and wrote many pieces for violin, and string chamber ensemble. This is the second installment in my Violin Music of East Germany series. I am writing about the people and music I uncover as I pursue this research and performance endeavor. Enjoy!

Thoughts on Jupiter

May 05, 2020 by Hannah Murray in reflections

While doing a little research recently, I took a walk down memory lane to Maltmans Green, the primary school I attended while living in England as a child. It was a very proper place. This post is about the Hymn from Jupiter by Gustav Holst, the poetry by Cecil Spring Rice, my own memory of the piece, and a few thoughts on applying the message to life at large.

The Real and the Made Up about Strads

April 18, 2020 by Hannah Murray in review

Just a quick review of 2 books about Strads from my quarantine book pile. These two are extra fun for violinists (and other musicians) who will know many of these famous references and personalities. What are you reading while you’re stuck at home these days?

The "Brené Brown Made Me Feel Things" Post

April 10, 2020 by Hannah Murray in life lessons, reflections

I made the Brené Brown plunge last week with The Power of Vulnerability and have been watching and listening to everything I can get my hands on since. I realized that I harbor so much shame around my professional life and in order to find the success I truly want, I need to get to the bottom of it, and unpack it. This is step one in that direction. It is personal and vulnerable in a way that I don’t often share.

The Violin Music of East Germany, Part I

March 20, 2020 by Hannah Murray

I hinted about this in my Resolutions post for 2020, but here is the first of probably many posts on my latest musical project. I have been deep in the stacks of music from the GDR turning up violin repertoire and chamber music that has fallen through the musical cracks of the universe, at least as far as I can tell. Read all about what I am up to and follow along to hear more about the characters I am acquainting myself with these days.

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