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Top 10 Books Written by Notable Musicians

Smashing Lists — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:09:10 +0000

Now and then, an artist of particularly notability will make a transition in their field, jumping from one art form to another. Though this is relatively rare, it is getting less so- and whether it be painters trying their hand at music or a ballet dancer venturing into the world of sculpture, crossovers of this kind can produce some pretty unexpected results. Here’s a look at some musicians who have created widely celebrated works of literature.

10. In His Own Words – John Lennon

Though it’s no secret that the late great Lennon enjoyed the occasional foray into literature, this publication is unknown to most. Composed of the Beatles early literary ventures, In His Own Write is packed with poems, illustrations and short stories written by Lennon in the early part of his career. Release at the height of Beatle mania in 1964, you may be surprised to hear that the book is jammed full of a large number surreal and improvisational themes. Certainly worth a read.

9. Hard Ground – Tom Waits

A similar kind of feel to ‘In His Own Write’, Hard Ground is too a collection of the poetry and literary prowess of a man most commonly celebrated for his music. Containing stunning photography by the highly talented Michael O’Brien, Hard Ground is a fascinating journey of affecting poetry with some pretty interesting ideas thrown in for good measure. Though it’s hardly rare for musicians of similar calibre to Waits to practice poetry with as much panache as their song writing, Waits does much to set himself apart in this instance.

8. Life – Keith Richards

Whilst most may be surprised to know Keith Richards can read and write at all, it would simply shock others to the core to know that he’s created one of the most compelling and popular memoirs of all time. Released in 2010, ‘Life’ was created with the help of journalist James Fox who conducted various in depth interviews with prominent figures in the Rolling Stones’ turbulent life. Whereas some rock n’ roll memoirs are a cheesy championing of former exploits and a bit of sly complaining about how things are oh so different nowadays, this one holds a definite air of compassion and sincerity within its pages, as well as one hell of a story.

7. The Death of Bunny Munro – Nick Cave

Best known as the quirky frontman of the eponymous ‘Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’, this Australian is also partial to a bit of writing. Having penned several novels as well as the screenplays for classic period dramas ‘The Proposition’ and more recently ‘Lawless’, it would be fair to say he knows what he’s doing too. This particular novel was released in 2009 and follows a protagonist by name of Bunny Munro and his obscure life as an aging lothario with a deep interest in both women and alcohol. Though it hardly sounds like the most original synopsis, it’s certainly a great read.

6. Threepenny Memoir – Carl Barat

Another surprisingly sincere recollection of former glory, Carl Barat discusses his time at the top with former band The Libertines in this most substantial of obvious cash-ins. As well as the expected stories about staying up for days on end surviving solely on booze and cocaine, another dimension of attraction is added by the eloquent yet very relatable style in which Barat reminisces on his time spent with Pete Doherty and co.

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Top 10 First Songs to Learn on Guitar

Smashing Lists — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:56:05 +0000

Learning to play guitar, much like learning any other musical instrument- is a process which requires both discipline and patience. The first steps you take on the road to rock and roll superstardom are often the most important. Having the grit to keep picking the guitar up in spite of the severe frustration and sore fingertips it will initially cause you, is paramount. Obviously, everyone is inclined differently when it comes to musical taste and preference- however this list showcases a pick of tunes I was into when I first learned some 7 or 8 years ago.

10. American Idiot – Greenday

I was 13 years old when this song took the world by storm back in 2004. Re-establishing the three-piece punk rock band as a major player within guitar music, the bubonic catchiness of this jaunty hit is made even more impressive when you realise how easy it is to play. Punk rock has been associated since its conception with simple chord progression and song structure- this song being no exception.

9. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

OK, perhaps this song isn’t Petty’s greatest/most integrative work- however it certainly is an example of his knack for a hella’ memorable hook. Released back in 1989, shortly after the songwriters jaunt with supergroup ‘Traveling Wilbury’s’, ‘Free Fallin’ was the lead single from the Floridians first album without previous group ‘The Heartbreakers’. Despite its definitive pop leanings, the track is unmistakably a classic and should not be dismissed as an ideal first challenge for any new guitar player.

8. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana

Pretty much a benchmark standard for every aspiring rockstar of a teenager since its release on Cobain and co’s mainstream breakthrough ‘Nevermind’ in 1991, Smells Like Teen Spirit contains somewhere between four and six power chords and the tiniest bit of string picking during the verse (variation is important). I actually find it hard to enjoy this song as a result of listening to/playing it so much in my former years. The real beauty within this songs guitar part is the awkward strumming/mute pattern of the intro/chorus- the mastery of which will drive you insane yet feel so good to play once you’ve nailed it.

7. Wonderwall – Oasis

I’ve never been once to condone the work of the Gallagher brothers, however if you insist on listening to Oasis it may as well be their stuff from the 1990’s. Wonderwall is undeniably a fantastic song- sound tracking every indie disco on earth since its release in 1995 and very easy to sing along to when you’re drunk. The chords are pretty straightforward, hence its placement on this list, and above anything else the repetition of said chords throughout the piece will certainly help shape those initially defiant hands.

6. Knockin on Heavens Door – Bob Dylan

The first version of this song I heard as a youngster was the Guns N’ Roses one, there have been several others over the years, yet the three chords needed to pull it off have remained intact. G, D, C- repeat until end. It’s a great song and extremely satisfying to master- owing to the ease with which it can be sang simultaneously. Cue hours of repetitive delusion in front of that mirror in your bedroom (bare chest optional).

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Top 10 Debut Albums

Smashing Lists — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 03:30:42 +0000

Musicians only get to make one first album, a collection of songs which epitomise their formative years- and that they in turn have the entirety of those formative years to write. The reason it is so common to hear people refer to an artist’s first full-length as their best to date, is that it usually is.

10. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)

Considered to be the centric LP of the whole ‘Madchester’ movement that pretty much resurrected British guitar music in the 1980’s after it suffered at the hands of commercial pop and disco for the majority of the decade- Manchester’s The Stone Roses self-titled debut not only secured the bands place in music history but inspired the 1990’s ‘Britpop’ movement which spawned the likes of Oasis and Blur. Despite forming 6 years earlier, the band did not achieve much commercial success until the release of this album, which to me would signify those were six years well spent

9. The Who – My Generation (1965)

In an era dominated by smartly attired song-smiths performing their jangly love odes in London clubs, The Who smashed their way onto the scene with a fresh brand of overdriven sonic rock assault. Despite going on to historically great things over the next few decades, the band’s debut captured every one of their early essences- essentially creating a new way of doing things. Featuring the rock and roll milestone that lends its name to the entire album as well as the likes of ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and ‘I’m A Man’, the LP established the band as a serious fixture within the ever expanding 1960’s British rock movement.

8. The Beatles – Please Please Me (1963)

Announcing to the world a group of young men who went on to change the face of popular music forever, Please Please Me is an extremely solid debut. Crafting the songs featured during their early years in the famous Cavern Club as well as during their time as a resident band in Hamburg, Germany- the fab four’s first release was a testament to the hard labour they had put in whilst a bunch of unknowns. Little did they know that was all about to change however, with the album going on to establish The Beatles as a worldwide phenomenon. Standout tracks include ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘Twist and Shout’- all of which are still very, very celebrated pieces of music.

7. The White Stripes – The White Stripes (1999)

I know they have now ceased to exist and that Jack White has currently got his musical fingers in all kinds of (overindulgent?) pies, however does anyone remember how monumentally HUGE this band were 10 or so years ago? Well, it all started with this- their self-titled debut. Despite having to churn out another few albums before reaching aforementioned popularity level- the duos first effort is full of signs that they were headed in the right direction. Showcasing their solid neo-blues crossovers in the form of such romps as ‘The Big Three Killed My Baby’ and ‘St. James Infirmary Blues’, the album was the, then couples, first step on a glorious rise to rock superstardom.

6. Eminem – The Slim Shady EP (1997)

Eminem’s debut, named in homage to his lyrical alter-ego, is a fascinating affair. Documenting the rappers formative years- more specifically the struggles he endured before his eventual success in the late 1990’s, the 10 track release was originally available in cassette, vinyl and CD formats. This is Eminem before his famed professional relationship with mentor Dr Dre, if you’re like me and are drawn to him for his rawness and brutality- then you should probably know that this is as raw as it gets.

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Top 10 Live Performances

Smashing Lists — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 23:19:40 +0000

Out of the many millions of truly breath taking musical performances that have occurred over the decades, or even centuries- picking a mere 10 as highlights is, I can assure- not straight forward. Of course any list constructed by a mere mortal such as myself will always bare the brand of their personal musical preferences, this one is no exception.

10. Queen – Wembley Stadium (1986)

Following their triumphant (there is no other word to describe Queen in my opinion) performance at Wembley a year previously as part of ‘Live Aid’- the band announced their own headline show as part of the ‘Magic’ tour in July 86’. The events that occurred that day fastened Queen onto their pedestal as a major force in rock and roll history. Performing a mammoth 28 song set, you can witness it in all of its glory now on DVD. INXS, The Alarm and Status Quo opened the show- and tickets were a mere £14.50 ($23).

9. Sex Pistols – Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester (1976)

Commonly known as the gig that changed the direction of UK guitar music, the Sex Pistols debut gig in Manchester was only attended by around 40 people- but almost every one of them would go on to great things. 1976 was an unstable time for British society, unrest was in the air and there were more and more angry young men joining the ranks of the punk daily. At this gig alone there was Morrisey, who of course went on to form seminal group The Smiths, The Buzzcocks (who actually organised the show) and two of the members of Joy Division!

8. James Brown – Harlem Apollo Theatre (1962)

Hailing from this particular area of New York City himself, James Brown funded and recorded this show at his own expense, much to the dismay of his record company- who could not see the eventual live album profiting as it did not feature any new material. The show, of course, was an absolute screamer- the album even more so. It spent 66 consecutive weeks in the Billboard chart- peaking at no.2.

7. Rolling Stones – Altamont (1969)

The Stones were at the height of their ridiculous amounts of fame and popularity by 1969, and to make amends for increasing criticism that ticket prices for that years North American tour were too costly- the band decided to round it off with this free event. A reported 300,000 people attended, including lots of hippies and also quite a few Hells Angels- who provided security for the proceedings. Yes, you read that correctly. The day soon descending into complete chaos with several people dying and scores being injured, still- what a performance.

6. The Beatles – Shea Stadium (1965)

Beatlemania spread Stateside with this legendary performance at New York’s Shea Stadium in the summer of 65’. The accompanying film released the following year documents the sheer hysteria which was all too familiar with the fab-four translating from their native England to the US. Although the band only played a 30 minute set, around 55,000 people were in attendance- making it the biggest show they had ever played up to that date. They crammed an incredible 12 songs into their set- creating an enthralling medley and securing their place on this list- I imagine they’re overjoyed…

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Top Ten Musicals

Smashing Lists — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:15:27 +0000

I’m sure you understand what I mean when I say the world ‘musicals’. The point of a musical film is to deliver the narrative in a musical way sometimes accompanied by dancing. Almost the entire story is sung. This particular list details ten of the most popular musical turned movies based on opinions along with their synopsis (allmovie). Like I always say, your opinions are welcome. Enjoy the read.

10. YENTL

Yentl (Streisand) is a young woman who wants nothing more than to study religious scripture. She is denied that possibility because she is a woman. She moves, passes herself off as a male named Anshel, and then begins her studies. She becomes close to fellow student Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin), eventually falling in love with him, although she cannot reveal her true self as she would then be expelled. Avigdor is in love with Hadass (Amy Irving), but religious law forbids him from marrying her.

9. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

Jerry Mulligan is an opportunistic American painter living in Paris’ “starving artists” colony. He is discovered by wealthy Milo Roberts (Nina Foch), who becomes Jerry’s patroness in more ways than one. Meanwhile, Jerry plays hookey on this setup by romancing waif-like Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron) — who, unbeknownst to him, is the object of the affections of his close friend Henri (Georges Guetary), a popular nightclub performer. (The film was supposed to make Guetary into “the New Chevalier.” It didn’t.) The thinnish plot is held together by the superlative production numbers and by the recycling of several vintage George Gershwin tunes, including “I Got Rhythm,” “‘S Wonderful,” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.”

8. CHICAGO

A starry-eyed would-be star discovers just how far the notion that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” can go in this screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Chicago, originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. In the mid-20s, Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is a small-time chorus dancer married to a well-meaning dunderhead named Amos (John C. Reilly). Roxie is having an affair on the side with Fred Casley (Dominic West), a smooth talker who insists he can make her a star. However, Fred strings Roxie along a bit too far for his own good, and when she realizes that his promises are empty, she becomes enraged and murders Fred in cold blood.

7. A STAR IS BORN

An alcoholic film star, on his last professional legs, gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry, whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this, the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate, the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first, but is urged to go “on with the show” in memory of her late husband.

6. GREASE

1950s teens Danny (John Travolta) and Australian transfer Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) spend their “Summer Nights” falling in love, but once fall comes, it’s back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad-boy T-Birds, Danny has to act cool for best pal Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) and their leather-clad mates Sonny (Michael Tucci) and Doody (Barry Pearl, in the role Travolta played on-stage). Despite befriending Frenchy (Didi Conn), one of the rebel Pink Ladies, virginal Sandy is “too pure to be Pink,” as the Ladies’ leader, Rizzo (Stockard Channing), acidly observes. Declaring their devotion in such ballads as “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Sandy,” Sandy and Danny split, reconcile, and split again amidst a pep rally, dances, drive-ins, and a drag race, before deciding “You’re the One That I Want” at the climactic carnival.

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Ten Most Beautiful Buildings in the World

Smashing Lists — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:17:29 +0000

If you dream of travelling the world, trust me when I say that your dream will stay a dream until you visit the buildings discussed in this list. This list talks about ten of the most beautiful man-made structures in the world. Of course, the list is based on popular opinion. Let us know if you think some other building deserved a spot in this list. Enjoy the read!

10. EMAM MOSQUE

This particular mosque is located in Isfahan, Iran. It was built during the Safavid period and it is an excellent example of Islamic architecture. It is considered as one of the masterpieces of Persian Architecture. This particular mosque is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction of the Mosque started in the year 1611. It is also featured as one of the treasures in Around the World in 80 Treasures. You can see the mosque on a 20,000 rial banknote in Iran. Emam Mosque is affiliated with Shia Islam.

9. POTALA PALACE

Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region in China and it is named after the Mount Potalaka. It was the residence of Dalai Lama until the 14^th fled to Dharamsala in India during the Tibetan Rising in 1959. The construction of the palace began with the fifth Dalai Lama in the year 1645. It is comprised of thirteen stories and has around 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. The palace measures around 400 meters by 350 meters with surrounding walls around 3 meters thick. The palace overlooks the valley and is absolutely beautiful.

8. TAJ MAHAL

I am sure you are aware of this particular building. It is situated in Agra, India and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He built it in the memory of his third wife by the name of Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in Indian and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage’. It is the finest example of Mughal architecture and in 1983 was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction began in 1632 and was completed around 21 years later in 1653.

7. EIFFEL TOWER

This one does not need any introduction; the famous place atop which Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes. It is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was built as an entrance arch to the World’s Fair in 1889. It is one of the most famous structures of the world and is the tallest building in Paris. It stands around 320 meters high; that’s almost the same as 81-storey building. The tower has three levels for visitors. The construction started in 1887 and it completed in 1889.

6. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

This is a performing arts center in Sydney, Australia. The building was built by a Danish architect called Jorn Utzon and it opened in 1973. The building received the Pritzker Prize in 2003 and the citation of the award stated: ‘There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent’. The opera house was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

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Ten Must-See Museums in the World

Smashing Lists — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:08:48 +0000

There are countless museums around the world and I am sure you do not have the time or the money to visit each and every single one of them. Below is a list of ten most important museums from around the globe and if you have seen these, you have seen them all. Well, not really because each museum is unique in its own way, but the following are the best ones. They have collections of paintings by artists that you probably never even heard of. They have been rated based on their popularity, importance and the collection they hold within them. You do not have to be an art lover in order to appreciate art, it will wow you either way. Enjoy the read!

10. RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM

This museum holds almost a million different objects for you to admire and appreciate. Considering the Netherlands, this particular museum has the largest collection of art. The museum is internationally popular especially because of the paintings by Dutch masters during the 17^th century and that includes 20 Rembrandts. It was established in somewhere in 1800. The museum has art from the Middle Ages, 18^th and 19^th Century on display as well. There are countless sculptures and pieces of applied art. The main attraction at this place is ‘The Night Watch by Rembrandt’.

9. THE STATE HERMITAGE, ST. PETERSBURG

This particular museum is located in Russia. The museum has around3 million objects that cover the past three centuries. It also displays the development of the world culture from the Stone Age to the twentieth century. It covers French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Flemish and Dutch art in the Western European Art section alone. It also has two of the twelve original works by Leonardo da Vinci; Madonna with a Flower and Madonna Litta. The Golden Rooms are the main attraction in this place; ladies will love it.

8. THE PRADO, MADRID

The Prado is located in Spain. If you compare it with the others, the collection it offers is not that impressive, even still it is one of the most visited museums in the entire world. It is home to amazing Spanish Art and it displays works from Velasquex, Goya, El Greco and Murillo etc. The museum primarily displays paintings, but it displays many collections of drawings, medals and coins as well. The main attraction at the Prado is ‘The Three Graces’. It is a painting of three naked women that are dancing in a circle. It is the work of Rubens.

7. THE SMITHSONIAN, WASHINGTON

This particular museum is located in the United States of America. It is basically a complex that is comprised of sixteen museums and galleries as well as a National Zoo. It has over 142 million objects to display so make sure you are in comfortable walking shoes because if you visit here, it is going to be a long walk. It is not possible for you to visit the entire museum in a single day so you better break it down into pieces. The main attraction at this place is The National Museum of American History’s exhibition regarding the 11^th September incident.

6. EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, CAIRO

The Egyptian museum is located in Egypt. The museum as we know it was built in the year 1900 and it is home to over 120,000 objects. The objects date from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period. If you are in Egypt, or are planning to visit, make sure you take a trip to this museum. It will be worth it. The main attractions in this museum are the artifacts that belonged to King Tutankhamun.

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10 Controversial Pictures

Smashing Lists — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:03:23 +0000

According to Wikipedia a controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – ‘turned in an opposite direction,’ from contra – ‘against’ – and vertere – to turn. A controversy can literally arise about anything really, history, religion, philosophy, politics, science, gender, people, age and race etc. This particular list however, talks about ten different controversial pictures from around the world. Ever since the camera was invented, such controversies arose from all parts of the world. There are pictures in this list that have not appeared in any such articles (not often) and therefore we would like to have your opinion regarding the pictures so please feel free to let us know.

10. THE LOST TUCKER

The 1948 Tucker sedan was developed by Preston Tucker. Only 51 of these were produced before the business shut down. The sedan was built for safety with an innovative design. The Tucker Corporation was ridiculed by the American media. A Tuicker sedan was featured in a show called ‘It’s Worth What?’ and the estimate it received was $1,120,000. A man named Justin Cole owns a Tucker Sedan and the bid for it on eBay reached as high as $900,000. The question is, is it actually the prototype or is he just bluffing.

9. SOWONEUL MALHAEBWA (GENIE) COVER

There is a pop girl band in South Korea consisting of nine girls. It was formed in the year 2007. Currently, they are the top selling Korean girl band in the world. They took a controversial photoshoot in the year 2009 and one of the pictures was selected as the cover of their mini-album featured above. A plane can be seen in the picture. People felt that that plane was a replica of Japan’s A6M Zero fighter plane that was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in the Second World War. Many military outfits, medals and hats were worn by the girls that resembled that of the Third Reich.

8. THOMAS HOEPKER’S 9/11 PHOTO

This guy is a German born photographer. He was in New York when the WTCs were attacked. He captured many pictures of that sad incident but this particular one stands out. The picture shows some Americans relaxing and enjoying a conversation while there is smoke rising from the WTCs. Hoepker did not publish this image for five years afraid of the message that this picture sends. After the public release, the picture caused a lot of controversy in the American media and I am sure you can understand why.

7. SOCHI SIX

US and Soviet Union collected many German secrets after the WWII. That information also included the German rocket program. That particular technology sparked the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. This particular picture shows the top members of the original class of Soviet cosmonauts. There seems to be a lot of airbrushing. A lot of controversies surrounding the picture claim that there was a secret space mission by Soviet Union that failed. This picture is of the people who were probably on that secret space mission.

6. SAMAR HASSAN

In 2005, Chris Hondros traveled to Iraq in order to cover the war. He saw a car there that did not stop at the checkpoint so the US soldiers opened fire. They killed both the parents and one of the five children. Hondros approached the scene and took a picture of Samar Hassan. He was five years old and was spattered in the blood of her parents. Once released to the public, this picture caused a major controversy across the world. In 2011, Samar saw the picture for the first time and she was interviewed about it. Details can be found online.

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Ten Greatest Piano Concerti

Smashing Lists — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:44:05 +0000

What you need to know about a piano concerto is that it is basically a composition of music which is led by a solo piano and it is usually accompanied by an entire orchestra or otherwise a large number of musical instruments. The list talks about ten of the greatest and best piano concerti (plural) of all time. I am not sure if you are into that sort of thing but it definitely needs to be a list. What I considered while ranking different pieces is the musical artistry, the balance between the orchestra and the piano, the history, the power of the pianist and the technical artistry. Now I am no musician and most of you must be better judges than me but I still gave it my best. Enjoy.

10. NO. 2, C MINOR, OP. 18

Sergei Rachmaninoff makes it to the number ten with this particular number. It is perhaps the most famous piece by him and another one would be C# Minor. He was a brilliant composer, a fantastic performer and a wonderful conductor. This is quite a complex number itself and your everyday pianist cannot pull this off. This number requires the pianist to stretch a thirteenth on the keyboard. Interestingly, your everyday pianist can only do a 10!

9. HARPISCHORD CONCERTO NO. 1, BMV 1052

J. S. Bach wrote this number. This particular number was originally written for a piano but most often than not, now, this track is played on a piano. The brilliance to his numbers is that they can be played on any instrument which is why the piano does it justice just like the harpsichord would. His music is probably the purest form of music itself; it is quite a popular opinion. Interestingly, the song was scored for a solo violin originally, but then it was re-scored for a keyboard. This is one complex piece.

8. CONCERTO IN A MINOR, OP. 16

Edvard Grieg composed this concerto. Franz Liszt was the first one to play this number and that is the distinction of this song, but of course, it was not in public. Grieg brought this number to him for approval and that is when he played it. He met Liszt in 1870 in Rome. Liszt asked him to play it but he was not practiced and that’s when Liszt did him the honor of playing it, complimenting him with the highest of respect. This one happens to be one of the most popular concerti even today.

7. NO. 4, G MAJOR, OP. 58

This piece is by Ludwig van Beethoven. There are many debates and many believe that this particular one is the finest piece by Beethoven in his entire career. What Beethoven did was that he used to balance the technique, musicality, orchestra and the development almost magically. It used to be, and still is, a joy listening to his work. The simple thing to know is the if your melody meets the development, you will get yourself a masterpiece and that word doesn’t even begin to do justice to this piece.

6. NO. 1, B-FLAT MINOR, OP. 23

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky is behind this number. This one should be familiar to most of you since this is the very track used as a theme song for Liberace for many years. While Tchaikovsky could play the piano, he was not so good as to perform this number. He was a composer after all. He wrote this number and he did a superb job at it. The number was dedicated to his friend and a legendary pianist Nikolai Rubinstein. He is the brother of an even more legendary pianist, Anton.

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