Mira Bartók grew up with music, and says that music is probably more important to her than any other art form:
"I play piano, fiddle, baroque double harp
and a small Celtic/medieval harp. I never pursued music personally--I always
had a hard time playing in front of people unless I was in an orchestra or
singing in a large choir. And it has been the hardest thing to return to
cognitively. It is my next thing to overcome as soon as I have a little more
time (if I have a little more time!)
when things settle down after my book has been out for a while.
My husband has been a professional musician and music producer his whole life, and the sound track for my book trailer was our first real musical collaboration. We hope to do many more!
Thinking of music, here are some favorites, but know that I have a rather vast collection of music from all over the world, so this list has only the first things that pop into my head:
I listen to a lot of opera, particularly Renée Fleming (my favorite is her version of "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka--it blows me away).
Sufjan Stevens, particularly his song "For the Widows in Paradise." The video has cheesy video landscapes, but you can hear the song well.
I love some of the last Johnny Cash albums, I love Breton music, Roma (gypsy) music and most of what is coming out of Scandinavia these days, particularly music by Sámi singer Mari Boine and Nordic groups Triakel and Swåp among others. I love tUnE-yArDs (singer-songwriter Merrill Garbus).
I love, love, love early music; in particular, anything by Hesperion XX (Jordi Savall and his wife, Montserrat Figueras) and The Theater of Voices (Paul Hillier).
Other things I listen to a lot: Mali singer Habib Koité, local arch-guitarist Peter Blanchette, the Bach Suites performed by Pablo Casals, any and all Glenn Gould, Tom Petty (yes, I'm a huge fan!).
But lately, the things I have been listening to the most are:
Dolly Parton singing "The Silver Dagger" from her Grass Is Blue album.
The soundtrack to the movie Les Choristes by Bruno Coulais.
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.
Richard Shindell's "Cold Missouri Waters" from the Cry, Cry, Cry album which my husband, Doug Plavin, is on.
And finally, I love to listen to my stepdaughter's voice, especially the song "Red Mud" that my husband produced and played on. It's the first song on Doug's myspace song list.
I have lists and lists. I left out all my favorite Italian music, Brazilian jazz, Scottish fiddle and so much more....