tag:bernardtjames.com,2005:/blogs/news?p=2News2022-08-02T16:00:54+02:00Bernardt Jamesfalsetag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/70289572022-08-02T16:00:54+02:002023-10-16T16:46:11+02:00Synchroneity<p>What do you get when you mix:</p>
<p>a 300 year old violin, Yamaha C7, Bosendorfer Imperial 290, Synchronicity, Birds...?</p>
<p>A new album...</p>
<p>Coming soon...</p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/66950362021-07-22T14:43:18+02:002022-01-28T18:24:29+02:00New album "Awakened: now available<p>Released 22 July 2021</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/17421061771073ade9e94368825acafcd3272fab/original/bernardt-james-awakened.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Click below: </p>
<p>Apple Music </p>
<p><a contents="Spotify " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7JYB7D7HklGtBoM5JSbqCo?si=ec3GNw7mQDuGZD0KbzZeGg&dl_branch=1" target="_blank">Spotify </a></p>
<p><a contents="Deezer " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.deezer.com/en/album/246152852" target="_blank">Deezer </a></p>
<p><a contents="Youtube Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Bkr4BmnHM&list=OLAK5uy_lAbuj-A3swWlnJdUDGuAGXdSGqgWhnSfI" target="_blank">Youtube Music</a></p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/58335582019-07-25T15:14:47+02:002022-08-03T21:42:28+02:00SONG MEANINGS: Pensato, Alex and Copenhagen<p>I don't often explain or share song meanings. This last time I did this was in 2014 for my albums "A song to remember" and "Music all around" I used to get offended but not any more if someone asked me: "are there any words for this song?" </p>
<p>All my compositions have themes and carry a leitmotif. Below is the meaning of each song from my latest album Pensato. I've also added my two singles Copenhagen and Alexander.</p>
<hr><p><strong><span class="font_large">Pensato 2019 : </span></strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/fe71cf8ddafb50594bf701d934b3beb233c51c52/original/prologue.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Conundrum:</strong> A confusing time in your life. Thoughts and riddles in your mind like a carousel. A troubled mind with problems to solve.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Hope In Anticipation: </strong>To have hope and anticipating the arrival. Yet it never arrives, but one stays hopeful. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>80’s Nostalgia:</strong> I was born in the 80’s. Nostalgia about this decade. The way things were, the music and just being nostalgic about the 80’s. I used 80s drums and instruments to </span>encompass <span class="font_regular">this era. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Like a song of Kate:</strong> This song is a dedication to Kate Bush. This song reminds me of something that Kate would compose, mysterious and unknown. I could only think of this title, to use as a track name. This song </span>portrays <span class="font_regular">the sentiment when I first heard <em>"Wuthering Heights"</em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Pensato:</strong> An Italian musical term meaning. An imaginary or very soft and tender note. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Melancholic: </strong></span>Feeling or expressing pensive sadness<span class="font_regular">.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>A Dark Place: </strong>The wrong place at the right time... We've all been there, a </span>caliginous sombre time in your life</p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Lost and Found:</strong> Quite a ironic thing to say. Could you be both of these at the same time?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Sad But True: </strong>The truth does not always set you free. It could be sad and true.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>7.7 Billion: </strong>The world population in 2019. There’s too many of us and we are destroying our home.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Sanctuary: </strong>My home is my sanctuary or haven. This includes my family, friends and animals. </span></p>
<hr><p><strong><span class="font_large">Copenhagen 2019 Single:</span></strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/e200cb5d359ec4f30878caf998f050c7fdb2b6da/original/copenhagen.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular">My first trip abroad and I found a gem of a place called <em>København </em>in Denmark. The empty streets and not congested with people. The fresh air, Nyhavn, the </span>ethos, antiquity<span class="font_regular">, ambiance, the food and people. A place to long for once you’ve been there.</span></p>
<hr><p><span class="font_large"><strong>Alexander 2019 Single: </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/fc8a0b407a7fa1b4c3f517cc6ed79ed629083997/original/album-alexander-1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></strong></span></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular">This song is dedicated to my boy cat Alexander. He was taken too early and was only 5 human years old. The most loving spirit I’ve come across in my entire life. He was not just a cat... </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I composed and recording this song 2 days after his passing. RIP dear </span>Alex.</p>
<hr><p> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/58335202019-07-23T15:34:28+02:002022-02-14T06:19:19+02:00Copenhagen and Alexander<p><span class="font_large">I was fortunate enough to visit Denmark in May this year and I completely fell in love with Copenhagen. I composed this song when I got back home. I'm only posting this now on my blog due to a crazy June and July. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/8b3bbb384a7619932310d6de5bd4d4d7ad249be4/original/3753979674077695167-img-0535.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/e8d88fe03320a01faf2ac01d6944acc3c4fad3cb/original/1959881158903439742-img-0817.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I lost my cat child "Alexander" on 14 June. I simply had to compose a song to honor and remember him. What a great soul and a humongous personality. He was really like my own child and I will miss him dearly. He was not just a cat, he was my "<strong>Alexander The Great</strong>"</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/1bd1dbdf7d65413bc068d883ea0a02d96ea77da3/original/alexander.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
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<p><span class="font_xl">Here's both of them :)</span></p>
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<p><span class="font_xl"><strong>København (Copenhagen):</strong></span></p>
<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n9k8TXNeCVo" width="560"></iframe></p>
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<p><span class="font_xl"><strong>Alexander:</strong></span></p>
<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ulHl7bLc66I" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/58335102019-06-01T13:55:00+02:002019-07-23T13:52:18+02:00New Album "Pensato" Released<p><span class="font_xl">Pensato now available worldwide</span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/fe71cf8ddafb50594bf701d934b3beb233c51c52/original/prologue.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/album/pensato/1461536566" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl">Apple Music</span></a></p>
<p><a contents="Google Play" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Bernardt_James_Pensato?id=Blicszu6qim6wrzfnrtlpsdirlu&hl=en" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl">Google Play</span></a></p>
<p><a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7iQahrhXCmjB4YXUlp2HIr" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl">Spotify</span></a></p>
<p><a contents="Deezer" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.deezer.com/us/album/95167552" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl">Deezer</span></a></p>
<p><a contents="Youtube Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVq1avDwgbg&list=OLAK5uy_mQlCXX6SbB1fr5gnndGcHGHJv_3gAZM2I" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl">Youtube Music</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/57168512019-04-12T09:29:45+02:002020-07-03T12:38:08+02:00Pensato - New Album Coming Soon...<p><span class="font_large"><strong>My new album "Pensato" will be out soon !</strong></span></p>
<p>I started recording Pensato in January 2018 and it is almost ready to be released.</p>
<p>Some of the track titles will be :</p>
<ul> <li><em>Conundrum</em></li> <li><em>Hope In Anticipation</em></li> <li><em>Lost And Found</em></li> <li><em>Like A Song Of Kate</em></li> <li><em>Melancholic</em></li> <li><em>Sad But True</em></li> <li><em>80s Nostalgia</em></li> <li><em>Sanctuary</em></li> <li><em>Pensato</em></li>
</ul>
<p><em>and more...</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/fe71cf8ddafb50594bf701d934b3beb233c51c52/original/prologue.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/54801602018-10-22T15:01:17+02:002018-10-23T08:59:34+02:00Your Deepest Fear. USDF CAIG CHAMPION. Donna Gatchell Don Tiago <p>I'm so proud to share that "Your Deepest Fear" was used by Donna Gatchell at the USDF CAIG Regionals in Virginia, USA.</p>
<p>Donna won the competition as 3rd level USDF CAIG Champion.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/ddcc824a4eb6eb5555e53be56e5163928b787d9f/original/donna-gatchell.jpg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/53234452018-06-29T06:07:00+02:002018-06-29T06:08:57+02:00To Compose or Decompose ... Steemit Post<p><span class="font_large"><strong>To Compose or Decompose ... Steemit Post</strong></span></p>
<p><a contents="https://steemit.com/music/@bernardtjames/to-compose-or-decompose" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://steemit.com/music/@bernardtjames/to-compose-or-decompose" target="_blank">https://steemit.com/music/@bernardtjames/to-compose-or-decompose</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>How do I compose music ... </p>
<p>Is it a phenomenon? ... </p>
<p>I have my own ways and they are not set in stone. </p>
<p>Composing music is an art, for some there's also calculations or math involved, for example in some sequential classical music. </p>
<p>I get inspired by life, experiences, religion, people, etc ... </p>
<p>My best place to compose is to play my old upright piano with a handheld recorder, or a cellphone's voice recorder works very well! I then literary start improvising and recording them as I go along. If something sounds good, I keep recording and I'll call it a "sketch" or a draft. </p>
<p>They do not always get names immediately. That's why I call them sketches or ideas. Sometimes I list back to old sketches that I never used and then they sound amazing. So do not throw them all away. </p>
<p>I never play incomplete songs to anyone. </p>
<p>I do not compose all the time. I usually work towards a project or an album. <br>I try and release an album every year, but it is not always possible. People do not realize how long it takes. The composing, arranging and recording takes several months. </p>
<p>Once again you must work toward a goal or a theme. <br>For example my album Music All around inspired by the universe and space. Risurrezione by faith and religion. </p>
<p>To most time consuming for me is the transcription. These days we are lucky to have music software to help us. I use Musescore music notating software. This is very important and enables you to copyright your music. </p>
<p>How long does it take to compose a song? </p>
<p>Well ... it depends ... sometimes you compose the most amazing song under 5 minutes! It just works! <br>Then you have ideas / sketches that you work on for hours, weeks or even months! </p>
<p>Composing instrumental music needs a lot of depth and detail. You do not have lyrics to help you. </p>
<p>Studying Music and Composition </p>
<p>Studying music definitely helps your music-ability and knowledge, so I believe it could make you a better composer. It could also improve the quality of your compositions. </p>
<p>Thanks for reading :) </p>
<p> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/49364082017-11-17T10:00:26+02:002017-11-17T10:00:26+02:00Unresolved now available worldwide on these stores !<h2>Unresolved now available worldwide on these stores !</h2>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/dbb1551ebbfcc85ce926ecb551d0c042c8a9c9a6/large/stores-website.png" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/49238312017-11-08T08:44:24+02:002017-11-08T08:54:35+02:00My New Album "Unresolved" Now Available on Bandcamp !<p>Hi All, </p>
<p>My new album Unresolved is now available on Bandcamp. You can download/stream from the website or mobile apps. </p>
<p>It will soon be available on iTunes, Google play and many other online stores.</p>
<p>I hope you enjoy it ! :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=815625188/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://bernardtjames.bandcamp.com/album/unresolved" href="http://bernardtjames.bandcamp.com/album/unresolved">Unresolved by Bernardt James</a></iframe></p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/39697392016-01-04T06:47:41+02:002022-08-03T21:43:09+02:00Happy 2016 ! Keyz Music<p>Hi Everyone, <br>Happy New Year! and I wish you all the best for 2016 :)</p>
<p>So, there is rumour that I've opened a music school and yes it is true. <br>KEYZ Music officially opened January 2016. I will offer Piano, Keyboard and Music Production tuition from my studio based in Alberton Johannesburg, South Africa. <br><br><br> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/39667442015-12-21T06:57:51+02:002017-01-14T21:13:54+02:00Reverbnation Charts Rankings<span class="font_regular">Bernardt reached No.1 on the Reverbnation Instrumental chart in South Africa</span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/2842914d298d28fee655fb78c0b4fcac3db8c2a5/medium/charts.png?1450673833" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/38818462015-10-04T13:15:35+02:002017-01-14T21:13:54+02:00"Risurrezione" the album released"Risurrezione" the album released on 2 October 2015 on iTunes<br>and other fine digital stores worldwide<br><a contents="https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/risurrezione/id1045923609" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/risurrezione/id1045923609" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/risurrezione/id1045923609</a><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/risurrezione/id1045923609" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/16ac8509d1869c5c5e0080f37e4159c9e503b07d/small/itunes.jpg?1443956993" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/38364652015-08-30T13:06:28+02:002022-08-03T21:44:41+02:00New album progress<div style="text-align: center;">2015-08-30</div>
<p><br>Hi Everyone,<br><br>Just a quick update about the new album. I expect to release it around end of September 2015.<br>Entitled "Risurrezione" with artwork created by Lionah Chimara. <br><br>I don't want to give too much away, but the album is about healing and I'm very excited for you all to hear it :)<br>It will first be available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play and then later on Compact Disc. The CD will showcase the artwork. <br> </p>Bernardt Jamestag:bernardtjames.com,2005:Post/32465422014-10-23T16:51:09+02:002022-08-02T18:01:18+02:00Song Meanings : Music All Around and A Song To Remember<div style="text-align: right;"> 23 October 2014</div>
<p>So here it is! Some of them quite personal to me or someone close to me.<br> <br><span class="font_regular"><u>Song Meanings:</u></span><br><br><br> <br><span class="font_large"><strong>Album : Music All Around</strong></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/71eae746e384fd60aa7eef5b75db413b893339eb/small/music-all-around-itunes.jpg?1406909092" class="size_s justify_left border_" /><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><strong>Omega Centauri</strong><br>This song was inspired by the “Omega Centauri” Galaxy. The immense power of God’s creation, colours bursting with energy.<br> <br><strong>The Time Traveller</strong><br>I imagined myself being a time traveller...<br><br><strong>Contemplating</strong><br>A melody reminiscing in my head, building up to something spectacular!<br>Inspired from a song in the late 70’s.<br>A somewhat small connection between the two songs, but quite significant to me<br> <br><strong>Lost for Words</strong><br>A melody that derived from the same idea as “A song to remember”<br>A haunting, but yet promising and hopeful tune…<br> <br><strong>The Journey</strong><br>When I composed this song I pictured myself tied in front of locomotive.<br>I try to express the adrenaline rush throughout this song. <br> <br><strong>Dark sonata</strong><br>A sonata in a minor key. <br> <br><strong>Beethoven’s Fifth</strong><br>Not a song traditionally played on a piano, but I did it !<br> <br><strong>Sad Blue sky</strong><br>This song is very personal and it’s about a relative. He fell ill with a painful disease. I imagined him experiencing this and the pain, looking up at the sad blue sky. Don't listen to this song if you are feeling sad.<br> <br><strong>Music All Around</strong><br>The title track from my album. This song was born a couple of years ago, but it never felt right until this album.<br> <br><strong>Serenity</strong><br>This song is all about serenity.<br> <br><strong>Collapse</strong><br>Everything around you falls apart, but there is still a tiny bit of hope...<br> <br><strong>The Portal</strong><br>Imagine yourself walking through a portal that transports you to a different place or time…<br> <br> <br> <br> <br><br> <br><span class="font_large"><strong>Album: A Song to Remember</strong></span><br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/49697/01b039c4ea133657513c01f8eae4b5d017d12587/small/1425660-orig.jpg?1386883838" class="size_s justify_left border_" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><strong>A Song To Remember</strong><br>The first waltz you would dance to at your wedding. A new beginning …<br> <br><strong>Jupiter</strong> (from the Planets)<br>My favourite movement from the “Planets”. A masterpiece composed by Gustav Holst. You’ll notice 2 pianos layered over one another.<br>A Boesendorfer Imperial 290 Grand and a Yamaha Concert Grand.<br> <br><strong>Pride</strong><br>This entire album was recorded in memory of my late Grandmother. Her pride and honour throughout her life. This emotion reflected in this song.<br> <br><strong>Leave Us Behind</strong><br>With this composition I tried to express how you would feel when you’ve lost a family member through death. The feeling that you were left behind…<br> <br><strong>The Misty Valley</strong>.<br>Edward Grieg’s famous melody. I imagine giants and trolls living in caves on a mountain, and hiding under bridges.<br> <br><strong>The Last Road Travelled</strong><br>I was fortunate enough to spend my very last and special trip with my Grandmother.<br> <br><strong>My Eden</strong><br>The promise of Eden. A melody of hope and inspiration<br> <br><strong>Prelude in C minor</strong><br>A funeral song by Chopin.<br> <br><strong>Memories Of You</strong><br>Remembering someone you’ve lost and how the memories become faded.<br> <br><strong>I Am Calling</strong><br>A song trying to find true love. You don't know this person yet....<br> <br><strong>The Wedding Prayer</strong><br>Wedding bliss and promise of happiness<br> <br><strong>Ode to June</strong><br>An ode to my birth month.<br> <br><strong>My home is you</strong><br>A love song for your soul mate. “ We could live anywhere, but you are my home”<br> <br><strong>As jy die son kan onder kry</strong><br>Another love song explaining endless love. You’ll never be able to stop the sun from rising in morning. A simile of your undying love for someone<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> </p>Bernardt James