Alaska raised and Oregon based, Kathryn Louderback is a contemporary pianist-turned-composer who loves sharing music with others. She began taking piano lessons at age 6, teaching piano lessons at age 16, and composing at age 21. Louderback has since written music for solo piano, small chamber groups, the Wind Ensemble at Oregon State University, and more. She also actively writes the blog A Pianist’s Musings, a classical music blog investigating interesting moments in music history. Louderback combines old and new musical styles to create a unique sonic atmosphere for every composition. She uses melody and harmony as a tool to paint pictures, push boundaries, and explore worlds.
Once upon a time, a dreamer decided to combine the two things she loved most – music and words – to create a force of knowledge and exploration.
Having been a pianist for most of my life, I find music everywhere. And after my unsuccessful attempt in third grade to become “a writer,” I turned to music as a tool for communication. But you know something? Music and words and life belong together. This is just my attempt to make sense of that.
Some Facts About Me
- I have a bachelors degree in music (emphasis in piano performance) from Oregon State University
- I’ve been playing the piano for 18 years
- I LOVE history!
- I didn’t start composing seriously until my last year of college, but:
- I did enjoy improvising hymn arrangements in church when I was in high school, and I occasionally arranged hymns for my church choir to sing
- Nothing brings me more joy than sharing what I love (and chocolate)
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I really don’t know much about music but enjoy reading your blog because you remind me of my daughter. She fell in love with music and writing in middle school and got her BA in Music theory and Composition at Wayne State University. When she talks about music I sometimes feel like she is speaking a foreign language but I love her (and your) passion for it.
Sometimes it is a foreign language! But I’m glad you can enjoy reading my blog; that is why I started writing it in the first place! Everyone should be able to enjoy music. 😊
Inspiring to see how people follow their passion. And this is so great !! There is a whole world beyond your own little world where people are following their passion fearlessly.
Thank you for Inspiring!!
Thank you for stopping by <3
Trigger warning : Not a real musician
So I was curious Kathryn, what do you think about Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi, esp. in terms of do you feel it’s more of a sad composition? And if you think it’s about heart break, what kind? Ofcourse, there is subjectivity in the way each one construes as to what is “heart break”.
Interesting questions. I think it’s a beautiful piece, and I do think it can be a little sad depending on what mindset you are in while you listen to it. I do think that there is sadness and heartbreak, but I also think that there is nostalgia and – most importantly – hope. The constant 8th notes combined with the harmonic pattern lend itself very well to sadness mixed with hope. I think that combination is what potentially makes it about heartbreak. When you get your heart broken, you experience sadness and – eventually – hope.
I couldn’t agree any more with your response. The music is what you make it, however, sometimes a certain composition will lead us down a certain path in our feelings. This song is very dramatic. I just listened to your song “Heartbeat” and am currently listening to your “The Girl with the Fire” and I can tell that you aren’t oblivious to this. The dynamic nature of your song lends itself to fall into the category of “it could be either feeling.” However, it doesn’t have the same feeling of sadness that “Nuvole Bianche” does. As you said, “sadness mixed with hope”. You seem to have that concept down with your compositions.
I found your blog after doing some research on Ludovico Einaudi. Although I do in fact love the emotions that his compositions bring out, I must say that I use them mostly as a study aide. Typically when I am listening to his works I am doing my very best to not focus on the music, rather I am focusing on my studies.
I am curious to learn more about you and what inspires you and your style.
I look forward to hearing more from and about you!
Thank you so much for your comment! I love how music can evoke deep emotions within us. I am greatly inspired by nature and the beauty around me, but I am also inspired my my own emotions and experiences. I write music for myself, and I have found that it tends to resonate with others because we are all human!
You have a great blog. Would you like to share your story on “What You Blog About”
what motivated you to start this blog ?
Hi, I would love to if you are still interested! Send me an email at kathryn@pianistmusings.com
Thank you for your interest to share your blogging story ! You may fill out the form to submit your story on this page : http://www.whatyoublogabout.com/contact
Thank you so much for your interest! You may submit your story by filling out the form on this page : http://www.whatyoublogabout.com/contact