classical
Beat showcases all things classical; get your fix of Beethoven, Bach and beyond with plenty of Pomp and even more Circumstance.
Mario Mattia’s "Metamorphosis" - A Piano Improvisation That Refuses to Go Home
There is something inherently revealing about listening to an improvisation. Unlike a conventional composition, there is no sense that the musician knows exactly where the music is going. Even when a performance develops its own internal logic, there remains the possibility of surprise; a note, a harmony or a sudden shift in direction can alter everything that follows. In the hands of American improvisational pianist Mario Mattia , it is this very uncertainty that becomes the substance of the music.
By Whitney Miller15 days ago in Beat
Fiddle Firsts: Which Came First, the Fiddle or the Violin?
Before there was a violin, there was a fiddle. Well... sort of. The history of bowed string instruments is much older and more complicated than just that. But as a violinist with over 20 years of playing experience, I recently stumbled on a fact that I found a little surprising.
By Cate Calvertabout a month ago in Beat
Feline Like A Song
Introduction I was not sure that I had already done and looking through my stories I don't think I have. I didn't think there were that many songs that related to cats apart from those from Disney films and "Love Cats" by The Cure, but then I started to remember that there was quite a lot in my collection. The beat generation referred to the cool ones as cats so there may be a few where the feline referral is more than a little ambiguous.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 months ago in Beat
A Devilish Playlist For Halloween And Bonfire Night. Top Story - October 2023. Content Warning.
Introduction This week we have Halloween on Tuesday and Bonfire Night on Sunday. I always think the Devil is given a bad rap. Think about it, in the Bible God is the one who punishes everyone and forces them to do terrible things, including the genocide caused by the flood. He cast out Adam and Eve because they tried to find things out, turned Lot's wife into salt, told Abraham to kill his son, and the list goes on.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 3 months ago in Beat
How Stress and Pelvic Tension Are Connected: Simple Ways to Support Your Mind and Body
Stress does not only affect your thoughts. It can also show up in your body as tight muscles, shallow breathing, digestive discomfort, sleep problems, and ongoing tension. One area that many people overlook is the pelvic floor. When stress becomes chronic, the body may stay in a “guarded” state, and this can contribute to tightness or discomfort in the pelvic region.
By Elevate You Studio3 months ago in Beat
The Vegetable Orchestra
Imagine walking into a concert hall expecting guitars, drums, violins, or maybe a piano… but instead, you see musicians carving carrots like flutes, hollowing out cucumbers, slicing celery into percussion sticks, and carefully shaping pumpkins into drums. The smell of fresh vegetables fills the air instead of cigarette smoke or expensive perfume. The audience watches in confusion. Some laugh. Some stare silently. Then suddenly, the lights dim… and music begins. Not ordinary music. Music born from vegetables. This is not fiction. It is real. And it may be one of the strangest, most fascinating artistic experiments ever created. In February 1998, in Vienna, a unique group of artists came together with an idea so unusual that most people probably thought it was a joke. The group included musicians, sculptors, architects, designers, media artists, and sound poets. Even their cook became part of the performance. Together, they formed what the world would later know as the legendary vegetable orchestra. But this wasn’t just about making funny sounds with carrots. It was about completely changing the way humans experience music. Before every performance, the musicians gather piles of fresh vegetables: carrots, celery, peppers, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, onions, and more. Then the transformation begins. Knives slice through vegetables with surgical precision. Holes are drilled into carrots to create flutes. Pumpkins become deep bass drums. Celery stalks transform into rhythm instruments. Every instrument is handmade only hours before the concert starts. And because vegetables are fragile, every performance becomes unique. A carrot flute today may sound completely different tomorrow because vegetables naturally change with moisture, temperature, age, and freshness. No two concerts are ever exactly alike. In a strange way, the instruments are alive. That’s what makes this orchestra so mesmerizing. The musicians don’t fight against nature — they perform with it. Special microphones amplify the tiny cracks, vibrations, and textures hidden inside the vegetables. Sounds most people would never notice suddenly become music. Crunching, scraping, hollow echoes, soft whistles, deep thumps — the orchestra transforms ordinary kitchen ingredients into a surreal soundscape that feels almost alien. Some audience members describe the experience as hypnotic. Others call it beautiful chaos. But perhaps the most incredible part happens after the show ends. The instruments are not thrown away. Instead, the leftover vegetables are cooked into fresh soup and served to the audience. Yes — people literally eat the instruments after the concert. That single detail perfectly captures the philosophy behind the orchestra. Nothing is wasted. Music becomes food. Art becomes nourishment. Performance becomes community. The line between artist and audience almost disappears. And somehow, this bizarre idea worked far beyond anyone’s expectations. The group began performing across Europe, then expanded into the United States and Asia. They appeared at gallery openings, exhibitions, experimental art festivals, and community events. What started as a strange artistic experiment slowly became an internationally recognized phenomenon. On average, the orchestra performs 20 to 30 shows every year. Think about that for a second. For decades, people around the world have gathered to watch musicians perform with vegetables. That alone says something powerful about human curiosity. People are hungry for experiences that feel new, weird, unpredictable, and alive. In a world filled with artificial sounds, digital perfection, and computer-generated music, there is something deeply refreshing about hearing raw sound created from objects that were literally growing in soil days earlier. The orchestra eventually became so successful that they earned a place in Guinness World Records for the “Most concerts by a vegetable orchestra.” Between April 1998 and September 2012, they completed 77 official performances using instruments made entirely from vegetables. That record alone sounds unbelievable. But the deeper story is even more interesting. This orchestra quietly challenges the way we think about creativity itself. Most people believe art requires expensive tools, perfect training, or advanced technology. But these performers prove that creativity is not about what you own — it’s about how you see the world. To them, a carrot is not just food. It is also a flute waiting to be discovered. That mindset changes everything. Suddenly, everyday objects stop looking ordinary. The world becomes filled with hidden possibilities. And maybe that is the real reason audiences love them so much. The performances are not only concerts. They are reminders that imagination still exists in its purest form. In a time when many artists chase algorithms, trends, and viral attention, this orchestra chose something completely different: experimentation, curiosity, and sensory experience. Their music cannot be mass-produced. It cannot be perfectly repeated. It exists only in the moment — fragile, temporary, and alive. Just like the vegetables themselves. And perhaps that’s what makes the entire idea strangely beautiful. For a few hours, carrots become instruments. Pumpkins become drums. Celery becomes rhythm. Sound becomes soup. And ordinary vegetables become proof that human creativity has absolutely no limits
By Noman Khan 4 months ago in Beat
Madame Butterfly
Introduction This is a short series of stories based on stories shared with me by Vocal friends. The first one is from Brent Millis and is called, erm, Jizzemboweler (Part 01). Because of its location in Japan and the fact, that there is a dastardly figure involved it made me recall Pinkerton and how he treated Cio Cho San in
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 months ago in Beat
Eurovision 2026 and the Emotions Behind Europe’s Biggest Stage
Every year, millions of people across Europe and beyond gather around television screens to watch a competition that feels bigger than music alone. Eurovision Song Contest 2026 carries emotion, national pride, creativity, disappointment, celebration, and unforgettable performances all at once. That is why interest in “eurovision 2026” continues growing long before the event even begins. Fans are already discussing possible host cities, expected contestants, stage concepts, and emotional moments that may define the competition. Eurovision is not simply about winning a trophy. It is about artists standing in front of massive audiences while carrying the hopes of their countries on one emotional stage. Some performances become historic. Others disappear quickly. But every year, Eurovision creates moments people remember for decades because music has a way of connecting emotion across languages, borders, and cultures.
By Muqadas khan4 months ago in Beat
A Song Of Vocal Tales
Introduction Almost every piece I publish on Vocal has a piece of music to go with it. I used to have a Facebook page called "For Everything In My Life There Is A Song" and very often when I read stories, a song or piece of music will come to mind.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 5 months ago in Beat
Christian Music Picks: "It Is Well (Because He Lives)" by Tommee Profitt and Bay Turner
I recently came across a gem on YouTube, and it's not just the vocal quality that made an impact on me. Producer and songwriter Tommee Profitt released an album in March called "The Resurrection of a King," which features epic versions of a number of classic hymns surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It features vocalists such as Phil Wickham, Stanaj, Anthony Evans, Ben Fuller, and Bay Turner. The album follows Profitt's acclaimed Christmas project "The Birth of a King."
By Heather Clark5 months ago in Beat
