Glorious

It was spectacular to hear Joyce DiDonato Sunday in Philadelphia. She sang with everything in her power, not just the notes with beautiful color and phrasing but with her heart and soul.

We go way back, to August 1988 when we were at Wichita State University! Joyce and Katie (her roommate) were in Brennan 2 and I lived in Brennan 3. We also were in Benson Headley's sight singing class 3 (I had skipped 1 and 2 the summers before, along with theory and violin lessons!) - which was interesting to say the least. We later were in Bertil H. Van Boer's Music History classes together, sang in Concert Chorale under Bob Glasmann, and in lots of operas - I in the pit and Joyce either in the chorus or with a role, often directed by George Gibson.

But that was many years ago!

We've stayed in touch, and even run across each other - once in Richmond, VA where she was a soloist for the Messiah, and I at National Public Radio, and another friend, Sara Avery, the principal 2nd violinist. Last time I saw her I had been engaged and just back from New York City to hear a friend's Carnegie Hall debut (this was 1999 - and I never got married, long story, ask me sometime!) and my then fiancee and I stopped to visit Joyce at her home in Kansas City.

Yesterday it was like no time had passed - in fact, Joyce came out on stage smiling, but as she saw me in the 2nd row (I was in her line of sight off to the right) she smiled even bigger - later I got a wink, and when she mentioned singing Copland at WSU, gestered towards me with her left hand. It was sweet. Her husband, Leo, teased me afterwards about being jealous, mentioning the smiles and wink, and even the WSU nod. It was awesome to meet him, and spend a brief few minutes reconnecting. I took five friends from around the area (and even my ex-fiancee!), who all just flipped over Joyce.

She has a link up on her blog (for ClassicallyHip) for one of my posts about performing Rossini back in Wichita, oh so many years ago. Take a look, she has wonderful insights and photos on YankeeDiva!

Summertime

In the city and looking for somethin' to do?
Settlement Music School AnnouncesSummer Camps Schedule and Six-Week Summer Instruction Offering
Philadelphia, PA - The largest community arts school in the country is currently enrolling students for a variety of summer camps for children ages 4 -18 along with a six-weeks of individual lessons for continuing student and those who "just want to get their feet wet" and explore music lessons in a more relaxed time of the year. For details, call 215-320-2600 or visit www.smsmusic.org.
Financial support is available for all camps which include:
SUMMER JAM Ages 12-18, June 23 - July 3, 2008 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday Cost $530. Germantown Branch, 6128 Germantown Avenue, Germantown 215-320-2613 andKardon Northeast Branch, 3745 Clarendon Avenue at Knights Road, Philadelphia 215-320-2623.Audition dates are Saturday, April 26, 2-4pm at either branch. This newest camp is for teen musicians and garage band members looking to hone their skills, record a CD or learn about the business of making music. Summer Jam emphasizes practical playing experience through clinics by professionals in the field. Participants will record their work and perform live at a local club.
SUMMER ARTS CAMP
Ages 4-7, July 7 - Aug 1, 2008 9am to noon, Monday through Friday Cost $620.Mary Louise Curtis Branch, 416 Queen Street, Queen Village Call 215-320-2603 andGermantown Branch, 6128 Germantown Avenue, Germantown. 215-320-2613. This arts camp provides daily activities in music, dance and visual art. Families are invited to a presentation of the students' work. Healthy snacks are provided. Students must register for full four-week session.
SUMMER STRING CAMP
Ages 7-14, June 16 - July 27, 2008 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday Cost $590 Jenkintown Branch, 515 Meetinghouse Road (in Alverthorpe Manor.) 215-320-2633June 23 - July 3, 2008 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday Cost $530. Mary Louise Curtis Branch, 416 Queen Street, Queen Village. 215-320-2603.This training camp includes music theory and appreciation classes, supervised practice time, sectionals and two full ensemble rehearsals for beginners and chamber music coaching for more advanced string players. Healthy snacks are provided. Children must pack own lunches.
SUMMER MUSIC THEATRE CAMP
Ages 6-12, July 7 - August 1, 2008 9am to noon, Monday through Friday Cost $170.Camden School of Musical Arts Branch, 531-35 Market Street, Call 856-541-6375.The 4-week session will provide singing, dancing and acting activities. Students will be grouped according to age and families will be invited to an informal presentation of the students' work during last week of camp. A healthy snack will be served each day. Principal funding is provided by the Campbell Soup Foundation. Additional funding by the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Settlement Music School, founded in 1908, is the largest community-based school of the arts in the United States according to the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Settlement is dedicated to providing children and adults with the highest quality instruction and activity in music and the related arts. With six locations in South, West and Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Jenkintown and Camden, NJ, the School serves about 15,000 students of all abilities regardless of age, race or financial circumstances, and awards close to $2 million a year in financial aid. Settlement is the largest employer of musicians in the region, with more than 325 qualified and dedicated faculty.

Neither Rain, nor sleet, nor snow...

Tuesday night I heard the Central Dauphin Middle School Choir and Orchestra, as I teach a co-worker's daughter violin, and it was their winter concert. It was fun to see her and her sister sing, and then to hear her play quite well with the orchestra. Just an hour and a half before the concert, she showed up with her mom, having broken her e string. I just happened to have a spare string at work, and put it on for her, and played a few scales to attempt to stretch it a bit before hand.
Wednesday night I was in Philadelphia, for a song recital with Network for New Music, part of the Bernstein Festival. There was a charming pre-program by Settlement School students in the lobby, where listening I was recognized by new music fans/composers that read this blog and the Composing Thoughts blog. (Indeed the world is getting smaller and smaller, I get recognized and run into friends in NYC these days!)
It was delightful to hear this group play new works by students as well as Jennifer Higdon's Bentley Roses, and David Rakowski's Sex Songs. Network was joined by two excellent singers, Susan Narucki and Randall Scarlatta, who were both stellar. To top it off, Network also had the poets on hand to read their works before the compositions. The entire recital was inspirational, and really fed my creative soul. I left wanting to write and express myself. These sort of recitals are very special and Narucki, Scarlatta, and the ensemble did a great service besides very high art for the community.
Notable was Melissa Dunphy's Black Thunder. Not only is she a friend, it turns out she is a delightful composer, writing very idoimatic for piano trio and baritone, but also with great sensitivity for the words and music.
Last night I was back in Philly to hear the world premiere of The Singing Rooms with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Unfortunately there was a snow storm and despite everything, Dick Strawser and I went - taking our time on the roads to get there. We had a quick bite of Italian food right next to the Kimmel and caught the first half of the concert, before braving the elements to get back to Harrisburg. I'll post a review later today, but the short of it is: I died last night hearing Jennifer Koh playing Jennifer Higdon's Singing Rooms - It was heavenly.
This weekend I'm in NYC to hear more music and see friends, as well as next weekend. Oh and I'm travelling next Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday for some exciting projects - stay tuned!

Five Things about Kiri Te Kanawa

I heard the "Farewell Recital" of Kiri Te Kanawa at the Kimmel Center Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

1. The crowd was pretty boring and not very excited at the outset - a medium house couldn't be blamed on the rain - it was too bad because what followed for the night was exquisite. After intermission the energy was higher in the crowd. Everyone also applauded after every song, even when it was only a few minutes long - so while that wouldn't normally bother me - it was musically interuptive in the song sets. Dame Kiri would smile occassionally and nod, but all too often someone had to clap over the sublime sounds of Warren Jones at the keyboard. While their love for Kiri's artistry was great, there wasn't much respect for the music.

2. Having Kiri sing a set of Richard Strauss songs, including some of my favorites: Die Nacht and Morgen, was heavenly. One felt she was singing to just you, despite being in a large concert hall.

3. If something better could follow Strauss, it was the nasally and sumptous Duparc songs, with breathy and irresistible singing. Again, Warren Jones outdid himself as a collaborative pianist.

4. The second half was filled with more energy, and showed a lighter side to Dame Kiri, from her speaking about Jake Heggie and the everyday man (common if you will) humor of Copland's "Why do they shut me out of Heaven?". Several times Kiri checked notes or words placed slyly on the piano lid - who cares, it was magnificent!

5. The encores, Ginastera's "Song of the Olive Tree" was vibrant and sexy; Richard Rodney Bennett's "Goodbye For Now" was charming and sweet. You wanted more and knew unlike some artists who have performed well past their prime, that Dame Kiri is finishing at the top of her game - we'll look forward to her teaching and more intimate performances.

Catch Dame Kiri on this tour if you can, and while you're at it, buy her Traviata or Capriccio or Four Last Songs - you'll be glad you did.

Also see this post about Kiri, tea and me.

Great Finds

Three great finds today in Philadelphia.
First, I'm staying at the Alexander Inn for the first time, loving it!
Second, dinner at Mercato - yum-o!
Third, cigar and scotch after the concert at Mahogany on Walnut - awesome!

And to start the trip, Beethoven sonatas with Daniel Barenboim on DVD!