The Audio Room
"My recording studio is like a bedroom to me. It has my bed in it."
Welcome to the Audio Room! This is where all the recordings are made, engineered, and produced. Here you can download and listen to MP3 versions of Ruth's home demo recording work for free. The commentaries provide background information, describe possible influences, and give an insight into each piece of music.
Your comments are very welcome.
Recording Contents: (click on a title to skip down the page)
J. S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto: 2nd Movement (September 2008)
Corelli's Vivace from Sonata No.2 Op.5 (September 2008)
"Improvisations over Pachelbel's Canon" (September 2008)
Handel's Allegro, from Sonata in G minor Op.1 No.10 (November 2008)
Satriani's 'Always With Me, Always With You' (February 2009)
Ungar's 'Ashokan Farewell' (December 2008)
Satriani's 'Overdriver' (August 2009)
Kodály's 'Intermezzo' from 'Háry János' (August 2009)
Bartók's 'Slovakian Song II' from 44 Violin Duets (August 2009)
On Recording...
I'll be the first to admit that I have a great deal yet to learn when it comes to recording and mixing, but I enjoy what I can do with it now... I love recording. I love it more than chocolate.
The thing I like most when I'm recording is... being able to play duets with myself because it's quite strange and unnatural; and this fascinates me. There is no replacement for the satisfaction of playing with another musician who is on the same musical wavelengh - something magical happens when this combination is found - playing a duet with yourself comes second best, no doubt. However, I still find it very enjoyable. There is no need for a common understanding, there is a different kind of energy, and the interpretation is pure. I also find it rewarding to hear a piece I'm working on come together as more and more layers are added, but then also being able to focus on individual sounds or phrases for attention to detail.
The thing I like least when I'm recording is... that incessant click track, and I worked so hard to get it working as well. Though I admit I'd be lost without it. Thank you click track, you ain't so bad, I just wish that you sounded more 'mellow'.
Ruth's Audio Recordings, available for Download (free MP3)
J. S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto: 2nd Movement (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 8
Instruments used: Violin, Electric Piano
Arranged for: 2 Violins & Electric Piano
Okay, so this is one of my favourite pieces of all time. I played the first movement (which always used to be my favourite movement before I really appreciated the sensitivity of the second movement) as part of my GCSE Music performance with my wonderful violin teacher. I think the second movement is gorgeous - and I'll jump at the opportunity to play it with others. So I kept it simple; two violins and piano accompaniment. If I had access to - (and was able to play!) - the other string instruments it was originally scored for, I would have close mic'd a string orchestra by now (one of lifes many dreams)! It doesn't need over complicating though; it's beautiful as it is - it doesn't even need the piano accompaniment in my opinion, that's there free of charge, courtesy of my enthusiasm to not stop recording it.
About Bach's Double Violin Concerto, BWV 1043
J. S. Bach (1685-1750) wrote his Concerto for Two Violins in D minor between 1730 and 1731 in Leipzig, and the Concerto accompaniment is scored for strings and basso continuo. It is typical of a Concerto in that it consists of three movements, and they are all equally as expressive: (1st) Vivace, (2nd) Largo ma non tanto, and (3rd) Allegro.
Back to Top
Corelli's Vivace from Sonata No.2 Op.5 (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 10
Instruments used: Violin, Electric Piano
Arranged for: 3 Violins & Electric Piano
This is a piece which I learnt specifically for the Demo CD, and I love every minute of it. It's a real gem of a piece, and as a virtuoso violinist himself, Corelli knew exactly how to write for the instrument. I take the bassline and play this on electric piano, and arrange the right hand piano part for violins for a bit of extra flavour.
About Corelli's Opus 5
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Italian violinist and composer, published his one and only set of violin sonatas (Op.5) in 1700. There are 12 in total. Corelli's works are always technically brilliant, distinguished by flowing melodic lines weaving between contrapuntal accompaniments and he paved the way for future composers (like Bach and Vivaldi) in setting such a high standard. One of Corelli's students, Francesco Geminiani, was so impressed with the violin sonatas that he arranged them all as concerto grossi.
Back to Top
"Improvisations over Pachelbel's Canon" (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 12
Instruments used: Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Piano, Saxophone
Arranged for: 6 Violins, 2 Acoustic Guitars, 4 Electric Guitars, Electric Piano & 2 Saxophones
Imagine 6 of me, and there you have the string section! Two violins on '1st violin', two on '2nd violin', and two on '3rd violin'. I was originally going to leave it at this, as it was meant to be a 'reworking' of a previous demo piece that I did in 2007, in which I only used 3 violin tracks. Well, I got to twiddling around with my guitars, and ended up recording no less than 6 free-flowing improvised guitar tracks. I then decided that I might as well go the whole way, so added an electric piano bassline and a few improvised saxophone parts. It's "my take" on Pachelbel's Canon - it's far from Baroque, and it's not supposed to be traditional or realistic - I was just messing! Emphasis is not on timing (I lost the click track very early on this one - just to see what would happen...) - emphasis is on the collective mesh of timbres! I don't apologise for the 'Pachelbel cliché' either! I genuinely like this piece (though, admittedly less so since recording this for two days solid)!
About Pachelbel's Canon
Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) wrote his Canon in D major in 1680, originally for three violins and basso continuo. It is his best known work. It has a strict two-bar ground bass, which is repeated 28 times in total in his original work. It is a popular piece for weddings, and has influenced several songs and compositions by popular music artists.
Back to Top
Handel's Allegro, from Sonata in G minor (November 2008)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 1
Instruments used: Violin, Piano VST instrument (recorded using an Electric Piano connected via a MIDI cable)
This was the first piece I decided to do which would comprise of a MIDI piano 'backing track' (which I played in through my electric piano, though not at speed!) with violin solo. I bounced the MIDI track down to audio once I was happy with it, and at the mixing stage, I treated it as I would with any other audio recorded track. I like how it gives the impression of a recital.
About Handel's Allegro from Sonata in G minor
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) wrote this Sonata for Violin in G minor in 1732. His Opus No. 1 contains several sonatas for violin, recorder, flute, oboe (etc.) and this is the second movement (Allegro) from No. 10. It is perhaps one of his lesser known works; still, it is a lively movement in binary form, and each section is repeated once - AABB.
Back to Top
Satriani's "Always With Me, Always With You" (February 2009)
(Please don't sue me for this, Satriani, I love you.)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 9
Instruments used: Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Maracas, a few VST instruments.
Hours cried practising. It's not 'Satriani perfect', but it's as close as I can get it for now, I just wanted to show you how it's going. So, this is for you... :'(
About Satriani's Always With Me Always With You
Joe Satriani (born 1956, New York) is one of the world's best rock guitarists. 'Always With Me Always With You' features on his platinum-selling album 'Surfing With the Alien' which was released in 1987. It is one of the slower, more ballad-like songs from the album and is based around a simple but effective I-IV-V rhythm part in the key of B. Joe uses nostalgic melodies, soaring guitar parts, and tapping techniques to create an exceptional piece of music, heavenly in its beauty.
Back to Top
Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell" (December 2008)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 4
Instruments used: Violin
This is my own arrangement pieced together from other arrangements. I kept it short because I didn't want the melody - beautiful though it is - to become tedious to the ear. I have tried to keep the melody fresh by using varying folk inflections each time the main theme is hinted at. It is mostly played by solo violin, except for the last phrase in which a poignant harmony violin joins in; there's nothing quite like playing this in the school orchestra either...
About Ungar's Ashokan Farewell
American musician and composer, Jay Ungar wrote "Ashokan Farewell" in 1982. It is written in the key of D major, 3/4 time signature (waltz), and in the style of a Scottish lament. The piece later became the theme for the TV documentary film "The Civil War" in 1990.
Back to Top
Satriani's Overdriver (August 2009)
(Please don't sue me for this, Satriani, I love you. xxxx)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 14
Instruments used: Electric guitar, bass guitar, MIDI programmed drums
Playing Satriani makes me feel like I want to cry.
About Joe Satriani's Overdriver
Joe Satriani (born 1956, New York) is a virtuoso rock guitarist. 'Overdriver' features on his hugely successful album 'Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock' which was released in 2008. It is one of the rockier, more upbeat songs from the album and uses various guitar techniques and sounds to great effect.
Back to Top
Kodaly's "Intermezzo" from "Háry János" (August 2009)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 1
Instruments used: Viollin, Piano VST instrument (recorded using an Electric Piano connected via a MIDI cable)
This is the title track for my CD "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves". I used my new Chinese violin for this - the loud, crunchy tone of the new violin was perfect for the texture of this Intermezzo. I actually believe the music and the violin were made for each other.
About Kodály's Intermezzo
Zoltán Kodály (born 1882-1967) was an established Hungarian composer. "Háry János" is a four-part Hungarian Folk Opera (a spoken play with songs). The story of the opera follows a Hungarian hussar in the Austrian Army who regales his stories of heroism. The Intermezzo is the fifth movement in the Suite.
Back to Top
Bartók's "Slovakian Song II" (August 2009)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 10
Instruments used: 2 violins
Bartók was a genious. Hands down. There are several Bartók duets on 'Love & Letters', the main reason for this is that Bartók is hugely addictive to play. This is my favourite Bartók duet on the album.
About Bartók's Slovakian Song II
Hungarian composer & pianist Béla Bartók (1881-1945) composed a set of 44 short duets for violin: 44 Duos for Two Violins, in 1931-1932. His folk influences are very noticeable and particular attention should be paid to contrasting time signatures & keys between the two violin parts.
Back to Top
"My recording studio is like a bedroom to me. It has my bed in it."
Welcome to the Audio Room! This is where all the recordings are made, engineered, and produced. Here you can download and listen to MP3 versions of Ruth's home demo recording work for free. The commentaries provide background information, describe possible influences, and give an insight into each piece of music.
Your comments are very welcome.
Recording Contents: (click on a title to skip down the page)
J. S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto: 2nd Movement (September 2008)
Corelli's Vivace from Sonata No.2 Op.5 (September 2008)
"Improvisations over Pachelbel's Canon" (September 2008)
Handel's Allegro, from Sonata in G minor Op.1 No.10 (November 2008)
Satriani's 'Always With Me, Always With You' (February 2009)
Ungar's 'Ashokan Farewell' (December 2008)
Satriani's 'Overdriver' (August 2009)
Kodály's 'Intermezzo' from 'Háry János' (August 2009)
Bartók's 'Slovakian Song II' from 44 Violin Duets (August 2009)
On Recording...
I'll be the first to admit that I have a great deal yet to learn when it comes to recording and mixing, but I enjoy what I can do with it now... I love recording. I love it more than chocolate.
 |
 |
 |
The thing I like most when I'm recording is... being able to play duets with myself because it's quite strange and unnatural; and this fascinates me. There is no replacement for the satisfaction of playing with another musician who is on the same musical wavelengh - something magical happens when this combination is found - playing a duet with yourself comes second best, no doubt. However, I still find it very enjoyable. There is no need for a common understanding, there is a different kind of energy, and the interpretation is pure. I also find it rewarding to hear a piece I'm working on come together as more and more layers are added, but then also being able to focus on individual sounds or phrases for attention to detail.
The thing I like least when I'm recording is... that incessant click track, and I worked so hard to get it working as well. Though I admit I'd be lost without it. Thank you click track, you ain't so bad, I just wish that you sounded more 'mellow'.
Ruth's Audio Recordings, available for Download (free MP3)
J. S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto: 2nd Movement (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 8
Instruments used: Violin, Electric Piano
Arranged for: 2 Violins & Electric Piano
Okay, so this is one of my favourite pieces of all time. I played the first movement (which always used to be my favourite movement before I really appreciated the sensitivity of the second movement) as part of my GCSE Music performance with my wonderful violin teacher. I think the second movement is gorgeous - and I'll jump at the opportunity to play it with others. So I kept it simple; two violins and piano accompaniment. If I had access to - (and was able to play!) - the other string instruments it was originally scored for, I would have close mic'd a string orchestra by now (one of lifes many dreams)! It doesn't need over complicating though; it's beautiful as it is - it doesn't even need the piano accompaniment in my opinion, that's there free of charge, courtesy of my enthusiasm to not stop recording it.
About Bach's Double Violin Concerto, BWV 1043
J. S. Bach (1685-1750) wrote his Concerto for Two Violins in D minor between 1730 and 1731 in Leipzig, and the Concerto accompaniment is scored for strings and basso continuo. It is typical of a Concerto in that it consists of three movements, and they are all equally as expressive: (1st) Vivace, (2nd) Largo ma non tanto, and (3rd) Allegro.
Back to Top
Corelli's Vivace from Sonata No.2 Op.5 (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 10
Instruments used: Violin, Electric Piano
Arranged for: 3 Violins & Electric Piano
This is a piece which I learnt specifically for the Demo CD, and I love every minute of it. It's a real gem of a piece, and as a virtuoso violinist himself, Corelli knew exactly how to write for the instrument. I take the bassline and play this on electric piano, and arrange the right hand piano part for violins for a bit of extra flavour.
About Corelli's Opus 5
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Italian violinist and composer, published his one and only set of violin sonatas (Op.5) in 1700. There are 12 in total. Corelli's works are always technically brilliant, distinguished by flowing melodic lines weaving between contrapuntal accompaniments and he paved the way for future composers (like Bach and Vivaldi) in setting such a high standard. One of Corelli's students, Francesco Geminiani, was so impressed with the violin sonatas that he arranged them all as concerto grossi.
Back to Top
"Improvisations over Pachelbel's Canon" (September 2008)
from "Baroque Demos!"
Click here to download.
Project: "Baroque Demos!"
Track No. on CD: 12
Instruments used: Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Piano, Saxophone
Arranged for: 6 Violins, 2 Acoustic Guitars, 4 Electric Guitars, Electric Piano & 2 Saxophones
Imagine 6 of me, and there you have the string section! Two violins on '1st violin', two on '2nd violin', and two on '3rd violin'. I was originally going to leave it at this, as it was meant to be a 'reworking' of a previous demo piece that I did in 2007, in which I only used 3 violin tracks. Well, I got to twiddling around with my guitars, and ended up recording no less than 6 free-flowing improvised guitar tracks. I then decided that I might as well go the whole way, so added an electric piano bassline and a few improvised saxophone parts. It's "my take" on Pachelbel's Canon - it's far from Baroque, and it's not supposed to be traditional or realistic - I was just messing! Emphasis is not on timing (I lost the click track very early on this one - just to see what would happen...) - emphasis is on the collective mesh of timbres! I don't apologise for the 'Pachelbel cliché' either! I genuinely like this piece (though, admittedly less so since recording this for two days solid)!
About Pachelbel's Canon
Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) wrote his Canon in D major in 1680, originally for three violins and basso continuo. It is his best known work. It has a strict two-bar ground bass, which is repeated 28 times in total in his original work. It is a popular piece for weddings, and has influenced several songs and compositions by popular music artists.
Back to Top
Handel's Allegro, from Sonata in G minor (November 2008)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 1
Instruments used: Violin, Piano VST instrument (recorded using an Electric Piano connected via a MIDI cable)
This was the first piece I decided to do which would comprise of a MIDI piano 'backing track' (which I played in through my electric piano, though not at speed!) with violin solo. I bounced the MIDI track down to audio once I was happy with it, and at the mixing stage, I treated it as I would with any other audio recorded track. I like how it gives the impression of a recital.
About Handel's Allegro from Sonata in G minor
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) wrote this Sonata for Violin in G minor in 1732. His Opus No. 1 contains several sonatas for violin, recorder, flute, oboe (etc.) and this is the second movement (Allegro) from No. 10. It is perhaps one of his lesser known works; still, it is a lively movement in binary form, and each section is repeated once - AABB.
Back to Top
Satriani's "Always With Me, Always With You" (February 2009)
(Please don't sue me for this, Satriani, I love you.)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 9
Instruments used: Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Maracas, a few VST instruments.
Hours cried practising. It's not 'Satriani perfect', but it's as close as I can get it for now, I just wanted to show you how it's going. So, this is for you... :'(
About Satriani's Always With Me Always With You
Joe Satriani (born 1956, New York) is one of the world's best rock guitarists. 'Always With Me Always With You' features on his platinum-selling album 'Surfing With the Alien' which was released in 1987. It is one of the slower, more ballad-like songs from the album and is based around a simple but effective I-IV-V rhythm part in the key of B. Joe uses nostalgic melodies, soaring guitar parts, and tapping techniques to create an exceptional piece of music, heavenly in its beauty.
Back to Top
Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell" (December 2008)
from "All Sorts of Things..."
Click here to download.
Project: All Sorts of Things...
Track No. on CD: 4
Instruments used: Violin
This is my own arrangement pieced together from other arrangements. I kept it short because I didn't want the melody - beautiful though it is - to become tedious to the ear. I have tried to keep the melody fresh by using varying folk inflections each time the main theme is hinted at. It is mostly played by solo violin, except for the last phrase in which a poignant harmony violin joins in; there's nothing quite like playing this in the school orchestra either...
About Ungar's Ashokan Farewell
American musician and composer, Jay Ungar wrote "Ashokan Farewell" in 1982. It is written in the key of D major, 3/4 time signature (waltz), and in the style of a Scottish lament. The piece later became the theme for the TV documentary film "The Civil War" in 1990.
Back to Top
Satriani's Overdriver (August 2009)
(Please don't sue me for this, Satriani, I love you. xxxx)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 14
Instruments used: Electric guitar, bass guitar, MIDI programmed drums
Playing Satriani makes me feel like I want to cry.
About Joe Satriani's Overdriver
Joe Satriani (born 1956, New York) is a virtuoso rock guitarist. 'Overdriver' features on his hugely successful album 'Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock' which was released in 2008. It is one of the rockier, more upbeat songs from the album and uses various guitar techniques and sounds to great effect.
Back to Top
Kodaly's "Intermezzo" from "Háry János" (August 2009)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 1
Instruments used: Viollin, Piano VST instrument (recorded using an Electric Piano connected via a MIDI cable)
This is the title track for my CD "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves". I used my new Chinese violin for this - the loud, crunchy tone of the new violin was perfect for the texture of this Intermezzo. I actually believe the music and the violin were made for each other.
About Kodály's Intermezzo
Zoltán Kodály (born 1882-1967) was an established Hungarian composer. "Háry János" is a four-part Hungarian Folk Opera (a spoken play with songs). The story of the opera follows a Hungarian hussar in the Austrian Army who regales his stories of heroism. The Intermezzo is the fifth movement in the Suite.
Back to Top
Bartók's "Slovakian Song II" (August 2009)
from "Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves"
Click here to download.
Project: Love & Letters from the Land of the Elves
Track No. on CD: 10
Instruments used: 2 violins
Bartók was a genious. Hands down. There are several Bartók duets on 'Love & Letters', the main reason for this is that Bartók is hugely addictive to play. This is my favourite Bartók duet on the album.
About Bartók's Slovakian Song II
Hungarian composer & pianist Béla Bartók (1881-1945) composed a set of 44 short duets for violin: 44 Duos for Two Violins, in 1931-1932. His folk influences are very noticeable and particular attention should be paid to contrasting time signatures & keys between the two violin parts.
Back to Top
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |