michael palmieri
Bloomfield, New Jersey, United States | AFM
Music
Press
http://musicboomerstyle.art.officelive.com/MichaelPalmieri.aspx
The link above is an article about my music in "Living Life...Boomer Style" web magazine:
If the above link does not work, the following is the text of the article, without photos and mp3's:
Michael
Palmieri
and The Electric
Alligator Ensemble
"I can remember practicing when I was about six years old and thinking, if I could just do this for the rest of my life, I'd be perfectly happy."
~Michael Palmieri
Born: Michael Palmieri
May 12, 1947
Incredible New with Old
By Dawn Bonner
It's a new year, so it seems fitting to show a new way of creating music reminiscent of the 1800s. Music is a passion for many, computers a passion for others and when the two meet--incredible things happen. Michael Palmieri, referred to as a musician's musician, a noted composer of modern concert music with hundreds of original compositions, and a teacher extraordinaire has put together a computer generated system, which assists him in creating modern day symphonic music.
Computers also assist Palmieri in being one of the most played contemporary classical composers of today. His music is streamed throughout the world over the Internet hundreds of times daily.
Palmieri's Tool Box
He records his music in his studio with:
Kurzweil K2500 keyboard, including multiple libraries of realistic acoustic and electronic samples.
Moog Little Phatty analog synthesizer.
Roland XV-5050 module, with
Symphonic String samples.
NI Pro53 software emulation of
Sequential Circuits' Prophet 5 Synthesizer.
Synthology Ivory, 40 GB of Bosendorfer, Steinway and Yamaha Grand piano samples.
Access Virus PowerCore SoftSynth, and a half dozen other software synths.
Plus
The studio has an arsenal of cutting-edge hi tech gear.
Uses a Mac G5 Quad computer fully loaded with RAM, with a separate HD for audio files.
Composes using Sibelius a notation software.
Records using Motu Digital Performer a midi/audio/effects software.
Uses t.c. electronic PowerCore Compact hardware for plug-ins, effects and mastering.
Mackie HR824 high resolution studio monitors.
MOTU 2408 audio interface and a Mackie 1202-VLZ mixer.
***Listen to Michael's music by starting the player at the end of the page.
Palmieri has been composing and playing music for 57 years, which may make one think he would be doing things by rote. Not so.
How this Musical Collaboration Began
He said, "About 15 years ago I developed tendonitis in my arms and hands, which put an end to my playing career. It was also a physical and psychological trauma to deal with the fact I wouldn't be playing and for many years I couldn't practice the way I was used to (five to eight hours a day). Until about 12 years ago, before I had access to computer technology, all my music was written by hand and performed by live musicians. Life with computer technology has completely changed my outlook, my output, and the distribution of the music."
The computer world opened a new door for Palmieri in his lifelong love, passion, and career. One in which he has done well in. His fervor for music pushed him to a new way of composing.
"I have been with it since I was four years old, I wouldn't know what to do without it. I started creating original music as a very young child," said Palmieri.
"Let me say," he continued, "I absolutely love live music. But I am also over the top with joy having and using computer technology to produce my music."
Changed His Outlook and Career
"I spent my life convincing players and ensembles to request a new composition. When I received a commission, after writing the music and spending months copying out parts by hand, I would hear the piece possibly once," he said.
"The computer and its dedicated gear are now MY instrument," he said.
The table to the right is a list of Palmieri's arsenal to make music for our ear's delight. It has empowered him to continue on with his life's work, luckily for us. His work can be moody, dark, light, twinkly, complex, simple, fun, and at times brings you back to the good old Beethoven days.
Genre
When asked the genre of his music and how he classifies it, he said, "I don't. The Internet does. The genre that the music best fits into is "contemporary classical". The word Classical doesn't work. The problem is--none can agree on a suitable replacement for it. I understand that the world at large, for lack of a better word, refers to this music as Classical."
"In academia there is an unspoken agreement that--no one really knows what to call this music. Some try calling it Serious music. This term pompously connotes that other types of music are not equally serious. Others call it Concert music. But, certainly Rock music is performed in concert. To me it's a matt - Living Life...Boomer Style
I own quite a bit of Michael Palmieri's music, I enjoy it, yet for some reason it's Michael's Christmas Music that finds its way into my players every December. Even though my collection only consists of 3 Christmas titles: "Holiday Moonlight Wonderland," "We Three Kings," and "Deck The Halls," it is those 3 titles that come out during the holidays and remind me of how much I enjoy Michael's masterful composing, arranging and playing. It also serves to make me wonder why it takes the holidays (and the holiday music) for me to rediscover and appreciate Michael and his wonderful, amazing music.
Just like Elvis Presley, The King of Rock-n-Roll, Michael Palmieri, The King of Modern Classical garners heavy rotation every December. And every December I am left to once again resolve to listen to more of their works throughout the year. Will I? That's once again left to be seen (or should I say heard), but at least for 1 month every year, I do get to listen to and appreciate two Kings of Music.
Merry Christmas to all.
G.Gone - Gone Local (& Beyond)
I own quite a bit of Michael Palmieri's music, I enjoy it, yet for some reason it's Michael's Christmas Music that finds its way into my players every December. Even though my collection only consists of 3 Christmas titles: "Holiday Moonlight Wonderland," "We Three Kings," and "Deck The Halls," it is those 3 titles that come out during the holidays and remind me of how much I enjoy Michael's masterful composing, arranging and playing. It also serves to make me wonder why it takes the holidays (and the holiday music) for me to rediscover and appreciate Michael and his wonderful, amazing music.
Just like Elvis Presley, The King of Rock-n-Roll, Michael Palmieri, The King of Modern Classical garners heavy rotation every December. And every December I am left to once again resolve to listen to more of their works throughout the year. Will I? That's once again left to be seen (or should I say heard), but at least for 1 month every year, I do get to listen to and appreciate two Kings of Music.
Merry Christmas to all.
G.Gone - Gone Local (& Beyond)
This review of the the CD -
"Fantasy – Music of Michael Palmieri"
is written by Paul Richmond, host of
The ZEST RADIO SHOW
CKRG 89.9 FM Radio Glendon
York University
Toronto, Canada
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As the quintessential mastery of mood and expression are required to move listeners to unexplored places, so too are personality and passion needed to conjure magic through music, as, Michael Palmieri does in his wonderful exploratory auditory presentation of the body of work known simply as....Fantasy...
Some would say that Fantasy is an acquired taste. This may be true. However, anyone taking a journey through the vestiges of music history will note that some of the greats have always plied themselves, delving into classical approaches of their expressionistic portrayal of a concept or idea. This is where the personality of Michael Palmieri plays a major role in creating Fantasy.
In fact, I am listening to the CD, Fantasy as I write this......I am now on track 12 of 26...enjoying the ride :)
As you the listener will find, especially if it's your first listen, the album, with an introductory song of over 8 minutes, Fantasy 1987, prepares you for what is to follow. In some ways yes. In other ways no. As my journey continues, Fantasy, the album, brings about ear perking pageantry as it takes you into it's grasp and moves you through many moods. This is the sign of non anticipatory music. A good thing, just in case you didn't know ;)
For much of the shorter duration pieces (I still can't believe there are 26 tracks on the album, Fantasy) I am thoroughly enjoying the variety of instrumentation you utilize. The voices bring about a sincere appreciation for not only the cleanliness of the sound, but also an appreciation for the passion with which you attack each piece, demonstrating your passion for space and time.
Now at track 16 by the way :-)
Now...what mood, feelings and imagery have been invoked in me by Michael Palmieri's album Fantasy....
Well, let me tell you...I was never left to ponder for too long on any one piece, as there are so many configurations of sound balanced in precise timbre, that I just had to allow the music to lift me away to places I have never been before. Places? Yes, perhaps you may interpret the music in your own fashion. But, I can say that I was definitely getting images...
The space where one goes to absorb outside of reality...the mind...
Fantasy will take you to...tension, release, ethereal, celestial, bright, dark, peaceful, hectic, unexpected, height, fright, passion, emotion, personality, pageantry, Fantasy.
Now...track 20...
Michael, I must say that your infinite creativity to place melodies in sparse, but important places, leaves a lasting impression for me to want to go back and revisit the moments once again.
There are so many emotions tugging at me through Fantasy, that Michael Palmieri gives me a taste of multi palatial travel where there is no rest for the wicked...One moment you are peaceful and regressive....then blamo...really nice punchy accentuations that provide the key to open the next door.
Yep, Fantasy has definitely got the better of me :-)
Track 22 now.....
At this point I'm smiling. And...wow...here is the fanfare !!!!
All in all, I will say that you have the gift of elevating the senses with your Fantastic journey through the Fantasy of sound escape via your music.
(yes, sound escape !!!)
Track 24...
Starts with a very sweet set of strings....spacey and ethereal....But this is only the beginning of a 4 plus minute track......I'm just waiting for something to happen...am I being lulled into a false sense of security? Hmmm...seems harmless enough...ahhh, there it is, the plateau climbing...up and down.... The piece, Fantasy 1996 movement 2 - Meditation for String Orchestra is a very powerful piece that has really given me the sense of relaxation I needed...This album is truly a journey of and for the senses !!!!
Track 25....
Dark, mysterious and laden with counterpoint that will take you into outer space...but of course, there would be no outer space without inner space....oh oh..I think I've said too much now ;)
Track 26....
There's always something to be said about climaxing...and the piece Fantasy 1996 movement 4, is a marvelous way to bring the Fantasy to fruition !!!!
Triumphant and joyous...perfectly placed at the end of the journey of Michael Palmieri's musical album, Fantasy !!!!
One thing I have learned from listening to Fantasy is, that the dynamic of musical talent and brilliance lies in the stars....Michael Palmieri being one of those stars of course !!!!
Paul D. Richmond / ZEST
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ - Paul Richmond
Discography
Three Fantasies - 2010 (digital album)
Fantasy - The Music of Michael Palmieri 2006
I’m Always Chasing Rainbows – Marty DeRose 1999
Kunst Og Muikk – Songen Var – produced by Bernt Johannes Hildstrand 1997
MAD METROPOLIS – Andy Polon 1983
Photos
Bio
MICHAEL PALMIERI is a noted composer of modern classical music with hundreds of original compositions to his credit. He is one of the most played contemporary classical composers in the world.
Mr. Palmieri's composing ability and know-how have been enhanced by his experiences teaching courses in keyboard harmony and ear training in the music theory department at Penn State University, from 1969 to 1970, administrating and concertizing for a major piano manufacturer from 1970 to 1976 and teaching as an independent music instructor from 1976 to the present.
Influenced by his classical music and piano training, which includes an M.A. degree in music, his years of performance as a professional musician and his composing, arranging and improvising abilities he has, as news articles put it, "developed his own musical language and style."
For the past 30 years he has presented concerts displaying the achievements of his pupils at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. This annual event has been listed in The New York Times, New York Magazine and written about in local newspapers.
Michael Palmieri has created numerous pieces for major performers. Both the Baltimore Symphony and the San Antonio Symphony Orchestras played an arrangement written by him. The Allard Quartet performed a String Quartet. His music has been choreographed and performed at The University of California. "Music for Clarinet and Piano" was played by prize-winning musicians at music festivals and competitions. Four scores for brass quintet are played by as many as thirty ensembles worldwide. The Electric Alligator Ensemble, an electronic keyboard ensemble, presented performances of his original electronic music.
Mr. Palmieri has written many "Piano Pieces" for his own and other professional performances and is the author of "Student Piano Pieces", an ever-growing collection of music written for and performed by his pupils.
His 30-minute electronic piece, Three Fantasies was considered for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize.
Mr. Palmieri orchestrates music for live performances and produces instrumental midi/audio tracks for professional recordings.
He has written and performed background arrangements for singers, string arrangements for rock band, a symphonic accompaniment of a patriotic song recorded with chorus, a project sponsored by the government of Norway, and has been commissioned to write original music and arrangements for innumerable performers.
His music is broadcasted on hundreds of radio stations throughout the world.
Mr. Palmieri writes about music for various webzines and websites.
Visual artists, around the globe, are inspired by and dedicate their artwork to him and his music.
For over 30 years, Michael Palmieri's technique, reading ability, improvisations, arranging and compositional skills, as well as his adaptability to each very different musical situation, increased his reputation as a top freelance musician. In addition to solo performances, he shared the stage with virtuoso musicians and singers. His assignments have encompassed classical, ethnic, popular, jazz, and rock music. Mr. Palmieri has discontinued freelance performing, concentrating his energies on creating new musical compositions and training musicians.
An article about Michael Palmieri and his music, in the web magazine Living Life...Boomer Style, states, He persists in influencing this generations musicians, teachers and composers.
Band Members
Links
