New Classical Tracks: Dudamel Discoveries
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| 2009-10-27 |
| "St. Paul, Minn. — "Gustavo is the ultimate classical rock star," Quincy Jones exclaimed after witnessing Gustavo Dudamel's debut concert as the new music director with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on October 8th. Gustavo Dudamel is the musical phenom who first picked up the baton at age 11, as part of Venezuela's extensive program called El Sistema. In El Sistema, young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, receive support and music education. The very best get to play in the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, which Dudamel has led for the past ten years. When it comes to making music with this group of young players he proclaims, "Music changed our lives. Music is our life!" On their new recording, "Discoveries," Dudamel chose works that he says underscores the power of music to change the lives of young people."
Gustavo Dudamel has been receiving some very loving reviews from music critics across America. And that's their opinion. He may be a great conductor. But we don't understand how "the power of music to change the lives of young people" living in a dictatorship is credible for the vast majority of children who live in such a country. |
Classical music and horror films
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| 2009-10-27 |
| Well Halloween is coming and we need a storyline. |
Handel's Messiah Rocks on CD & DVD
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| 2009-10-27 |
| "Handel's Messiah Rocks brings a new genre of music to the masses, effortlessly embracing all generations while reinvigorating one of the most beloved musical compositions of all time. For more information on the Handel's Messiah Rocks CD & DVD, National Tour and PBS airings please visit: www.MessiahRocks.com."
While we're not familiar with this particular recording, we support any endeavor that may help to increase the appreciation of classical music. Especially, those that target the younger folks.
For those of you interested in the "real thing," you can listen here. |
Music review: Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra
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| 2009-10-27 |
| "Founded in 1841, the Mozarteum Orchestra is weighed down by more than a little tradition. Its music director since 2004 is Ivor Bolton, who specializes in music of the Baroque and Classical eras. And Friday's concert couldn't have begun more traditionally than with Bolton's somewhat blunt account of Schubert's C-Major Symphony No. 9 played with a burnished, musty, Old World sound."
Read the entire review. |
You can't make this up.
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| 2009-10-26 |
| Or, maybe you can.
We ran across this article from the New Yorker a while ago. We didn't post it then because there were no citations from authoritative works. However, it is very humorous.
After reconsideration, we ask that you treat this article with all the respect it deserves. |
Renowned pianist stirs emotions behind bars at Jessup
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| 2009-10-26 |
| From the headline, we assumed she was doing time, not donating it. Our apologies.
"Concerts don't just belong in concert halls," she says. "A lot of people can't get to symphony halls for economic or other reasons. I consider myself a missionary for classical music."
It's a nice inspirational piece from The Baltimore Sun. |
A Rave Review of the Tokyo String Quartet
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| 2009-10-26 |
| "I headed out to Sprague Hall that evening expecting to hear music. Instead I heard the song of angels. Utterly, unspeakably extraordinary."
Read the review here. |
In classical music, a woman on the podium is still the exception
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| 2009-10-26 |
| That's the headline of a column from The Star-Telegram of DFW, Texas.
Writer Chris Shull explains why this really isn't an issue at all:
"It is a bit unusual to have a woman on the podium," said Adriana DeCosta, principal second violinist with the FWSO. "In the 21 years I've been in the orchestra we've only had one other woman."
DeCosta continued, "Yeah, you don't see a woman on the podium a lot, but how many conductors are there in the world."
"I don't think there's gender bias anymore in the orchestras," said Doug Howard, principal percussionist of the DSO.
"That is where I see the most difference when it comes to whether being a woman conductor makes a difference - whether a city is ready to have an arts leader that is a woman," Chen said. "I think you will see a surge of women music directors in a couple years."
"When musicians see someone on the podium, they want to see if you've got the stuff," Chen said. "If you've got the stuff to get things done, then it is no longer a gender issue."
Musicians agree.
"When there's a person on the podium, I don't care if they are 25 or 65, male or female, bald or fat - it's what they bring to the podium that interests me," DeCosta said. "Is there artistry there? Is there something that speaks their spirit through the music?"
"On the podium, it just doesn't matter," Howard said. "Either somebody can do it or they can't." |
The Baltimore Symphony Orchesta draws a mixed review
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| 2009-10-26 |
| A "web-only" review from the Washington Post's "Classical Beat." |
For young players, music with the maestro
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| 2009-10-26 |
| "Maestro Lorin Maazel, one of the music world's preeminent conductors, took to the stage at the District's Coolidge Senior High School Saturday afternoon to lead a group of 40 young musicians, all members of the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program, through a rehearsal of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.
"Maazel, unbothered by the humble setting, said the young musicians make him feel hopeful."
"Classical music is certainly not dead if young people like this are interested in keeping it going," he said.
Very nice. |
Steinway rolls in
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| 2009-10-26 |
| In this tough economy, it's notable that Steinway and Sons has chosen this particular time to open the Washington area's first exclusive Steinway dealership.
We think it is notable in the Willie Sutton sense:
"Go where the money is... and go there often." |
What Was Once Forbidden
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| 2009-10-20 |
| "He sat for the exam and was admitted along with what became known as the Class of 1978, the first group of Chinese composers to emerge from the ashes of the Cultural Revolution." |
Classical music review: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra
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| 2009-10-20 |
| "In his second season as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's music director, Jaap van Zweden goes from strength to strength. And the orchestra goes with him."
"I can't remember a performance that so compellingly captured the full dramatic and emotional range of Beethoven's Ninth."
Read the excellent review here. |
Ten classical recordings to get you started
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| 2009-10-20 |
| Timothy Mangan of the OC Register has compiled a very good list of the ten top classical recordings for the beginning listener. |
For those folks in the Kansas City area
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| 2009-10-20 |
| Here is a schedule of upcoming events. |
Alt-Classical Altitude in Chicago
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| 2009-10-20 |
| "...Muti, supposedly the traditional European, announced a slew of new initiatives for reaching into the community when his tenure begins in 2010."
Read about the "slew" of initiatives here and here. |
Tom Hanks, Quincy Jones, Jason Schwartzman praise L.A. Philharmonic maestro Gustavo Dudamel
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| 2009-10-14 |
| He's Venezuelan. He's loved by the bright stars of Hollywood.
You can read about him here and here. |
Domingo gets $1-million prize
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| 2009-10-14 |
| "Spanish tenor Placido Domingo on Tuesday received the first $1-million Birgit Nilsson Award at a ceremony in Stockholm.
"Domingo, who won the prize for his 'unrivaled' contributions to the world of opera, accepted the award from King Carl XVI Gustaf at the Royal Swedish Opera.
"Domingo said he would use the prize money to set up a specific Birgit Nilsson category for Wagnerian singers within the framework of his opera competition Operalia." |
In defence of classical music
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| 2009-10-12 |
| Richard Nilsen of the Arizona Republic attempts to explain that while listening to classical music can be difficult, it is well worth the effort. |
Mixed Reviews for Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble
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| 2009-10-12 |
| Some ups and some downs. Read the article at the Washington Post's "Classical Beat." |
