Role of the Performer: Lindsey Stirling.
I know many may also blog about this talented performer so just bear with me. Lindsey Stirling is an American song writer, dancer, and violinist. I don't know anyone who doesn't know who she is but for the sake of the blog, we'll talk about her. Lindsey grew up as the middle child of three daughters. Because of financial reasons, her family could not afford full violin lessons. So she started half lessons at the age of five. Stirling's popularity took off when she went on America's Got Talent with her violin and dance. After becoming a quarter finalist on the show, she was disqualified because many believed she wasn't talented enough to dance and play a violin. She was devastated at that news. But she didn't let it get her down. In fact, shortly after that, cinematographer "Devin Graham contacted her in hopes of collaborating on a YouTube video together" (Wikipedia). This video boosted her popularity and into making music videos for her YouTube channel.
While Lindsey made a lot of her own songs, she also collaborated with other musicians and singers to create amazing versions of well-known songs. From Peter Holland with songs like Skyrim and A Thousand Years to Lzzy Hale and the moving song and performance of Shatter Me even to collabs with the Piano Guys in Mission Impossible theme song. With her unique music tastes and dance routines, Lindsey grew quite popular. "Her music video of "Crystallize" finished as the eight-most watched video of 2012 on YouTube" (Wikipedia).
"Since the release of her 2012 self-titled album, the electronic violinist, dancer, and artist has quietly and humbly become one of the 21st century's most innovative stars. Her groundbreaking vision of cinematic violin-driven electronic music has gained her millions of adored fans" (Wolf Trap).
There are so many songs from this talented violinist that it is hard to choose which ones to show here. So I decided to first show the hit-song "Crystallize".
https://youtu.be/aHjpOzsQ9YII know it's still too soon for Christmas song but I love this song so you'll just have to suffer. Originally created by Tchaikovsky, Lindsey took this instrumental song and created another masterpiece of musical proportions. It was the first track and single on her fourth album, Warmer in Winter. "Stirling performed Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy for the first time on November 8, 2017 at the Palace Theatre in Albany, New York" (Lindsey Stirling Wikia).
The original song was a combination of a homophonic and polyphonic piece. "The song is constantly crescendo and decrescendo. The main melody repeats as well throughout the piece" (Weebly). The BPM for Lindsey's version is played at 144 beats per minute.
There's no doubt that Lindsey Stirling is a talented musician and dancer. Her music is so popular that it's hard to imagine a world of music without her in it.
Resources Used:
Ferdous, Aunee and Liu, Lilly. "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." Weebly. https://dance-of-the-sugar-plum-fairy.weebly.com/analysis.html . Unknown date. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
GetSongbpm. "Crystallize." GetSongbpm. https://getsongbpm.com/song/crystallize/JqxkNv . Unknown date. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
HookTheory. "Crystallize by Lindsey Stirling Chords and Melody." Hookpad. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/lindsey-stirling/crystallize . Date made Unknown. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
Lindsey Stirling Wikia. "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." Lindsey Stirling Fandom-Wikia. lindseystirling.fandom.com/wiki/Dance_of_the_Sugar_Plum_Fairy_(song) Date Unknown. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
Wikipedia. "Lindsey Stirling." Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsey_Stirling . Last Edited on Nov. 1, 2021. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
Wolf Trap. "Lindsey Stirling." Wolf Trap. https://www.wolftrap.org/calendar/performance/21filene/0805show21.aspx . Date unknown. Accessed on Nov. 1, 2021.
I showed the second video to my 10 year old daughter who does ballet and loved it. Her skills on the violin are amazing. This is another example of adding texture to classics. I am okay with that if the rendition doesn't take away from the originals.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes and yes! I love Lindsey Stirling so much. She is incredibly talented and her renditions of many popular songs is incredible. I feel like her own songs really incorporate a lot of classical aspects and sound a lot different than your normal pop/classical mix. She definitely has a one of a kind sound. If you like Crystallize by her, you'd definitely also enjoy the song Anti Gravity.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I admittedly haven't heard of Lindsey until I blogged about the violin, and here she is again. What a talented player. I love how she is bringing the violin in to modern times. And Lindsey's story behind the song Crystalize was beautiful. I love the story about the positive and negative effects on water crystals!
ReplyDeleteAnd did you know, over 1/2 of our bodies are made of water? :)
DeleteHi Emily! I LOVE Lindsey! She is very talented and watching her perform is very captivating. There are not many performers who I can stand to sit and listen to play a violin, but she is definitely one that I can. Great song choices! I think both really showcase her abilities well. You also did great explaining the different musical elements; I think you hit the nail on the head with this one!
ReplyDeleteI’m not going to lie, I have heard of Lindsey Stirling but I have not watched any of her work. I realized that even though I haven’t seen her videos, I have heard her work so much. I did gymnastics in high school and for gymnastics floor routines lyrics in the music weren’t allowed, so many people used Lindsey Stirling pieces. It’s interesting to recognize her work but also SEE her work. Instead of just playing the violin with her arms and hands it is like she is playing the instrument with her whole body. I agree with you that her name is very recognizable in this generation, and I’m glad that you expanded my knowledge of her work. I have attached a gymnastics floor routine track that uses Stirling’s playing. It’s interesting to see where parts have been edited since routines can only be 1:30 long.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/VaROjNG5b2I
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteLindsey Sterling is definitely a worthy performer for this assignment! I appreciate her ability to give a modern interpretation while still preserving the song's traditional backbone. The sugar plum fairy is an excellent example of her dynamic and tone control while dancing. Although her dancing enhances both her performance and connection to the song, it has somewhat of an artificial feel. I think her dancing "niche" heavily relies on the forgiving qualities of her electric violin. Regardless, she is incredibly talented and you did a great job of explaining her talents.
Emily, great performer choice! I have never heard about Lindsey Sterling, but also, I don't know very many artists names. These are some instrumentals that have really caught my attention, I especially liked the catchy sound of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and her outfit and dance moves. Great choice and you did such an amazing job on your blog for Role of the Performer!
ReplyDelete