“Dark Eyes”Traditional Russian Folk SongPerformed by Reynold D. Philipsek2015 copyright “Dark Eyes” is literally the first song I ever learned. I was probably about ten years old. The song was in the Nick Monoloff book my guitar teacher used (he did not use the Mel Bay method). My grandfather, who also played guitar, also knew this tune as many Eastern […]
“Holy Fright”Composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek2016 copyright Zino-Rephi Music (BMI)All rights reserved Toward the end of my mother’s long life, (she lived over 92 years) she had a form of dementia which caused aphasia. This means she could not speak and probably couldn’t decipher language. When I would visit her the last few years at the home she
“Chrysanthemum” (Composed by Reynold D. Philipsek, 2018 copyright)Guitars-reynoldKeyboards-Gregg Inhofer I wanted to write a piece that simulated the blooming of a flower. This was best achieved (I reckoned) by harmonies that would grow or “bloom.” The harmony does owe some to the influence of Wayne Shorter, who is a master at this sort of thing. It is a bit difficult
Chrysanthemum Thoughts Read More »
“December”(Composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek) I did not grow up in a house where classical music was listened to. I came to that music on my own. My first exposure was to more modern composers like Ravel, Bartok, and Stravinsky. I then sort of worked myself backward in time. Along the way I discovered Chopin. Chopin resonated with
“Through Rose Colored Glasses”(Composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2015 copyright) For the past several years I have been attempting to expand my solo guitar repertoire. One of the things I wrote for this endeavor was this song “Through Rose Colored Glasses.” The main line of the piece is slightly reminiscent of Chopin’s riff from his “Barcarolle.” I also
Through Rose Colored Glasses Read More »
“Etude in E Major”(composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2012 copyright) Vladimir Horowitz once said that it is not always the finger-twisting fireworks pieces that wow an audience that are difficult to perform and control but often it is the more concentrated things like a “Mozart Adagio.” I have heard similar anecdotes from other virtuoso performers. A few years