Inspirations

Friday we completed our spring fundraiser at WITF, here are some pictures from answering phones and signs put up outside Radio Master Control:

Saturday night I played with Paul Zavinsky in Columbia for a really fun crowd.

Now, for the real reason, behind the blog title...last January I got an email about Composing Thoughts from a mother who listens with her son:
Good morning,

My son and I often listen to your program Composing Thoughts while eating dinner on Sunday nights. I learn a lot from what the composers say and from the items you play. I even tracked down the CD from one of them afterwards.

Your program also gave me an idea. First a little background. My son Matthew is multiply handicapped. He has attended a special ed class at the Camp Hill Middle School/High School for the last 6 years. He will graduate in June. During his time at Camp Hill Matthew has regularly attended band (Middle School) and Chorus (High School) rehearsals with his one-on-one aide. The music teachers and the students have welcomed him and responded well to his presence. Matthew always seems to enjoy music, so this is a good way to have him share experience with the regular students.

I wanted to do something to thank the music department at Camp Hill and also to celebrate Matthew's graduation. At first I thought about funding a scholarship to study music. But then I heard you talk about commissioning music on Composing Thoughts one night. I am going to commission a piece of music for the band and chorus to perform this spring. I have 2 young men who are recent graduates of composing programs who are interested. I've told them what my budget is and they are OK with that. I'm going to get with the Camp Hill music teachers and try to make a choice between the two next week. Then we will plan to have the piece ready for rehearsals for the regular May concert date. Usually around Mother's Day. Thank you for giving me this idea. Everyone I talk to thinks it is a great idea.

Would WITF have any interest in recording the world premiere performance of the new composition at the high school? Or possibly interviewing the young composer for Composing Thoughts while they are in town for the event? I'll keep you posted on the progress of this project. Please let me know if WITF is interested in being involved as noted above, or in any other way.

Thanks for a great program and for giving me this idea.

Susan Bianchi

Hershey, PA

Sunday was the concert, and Linda Do, Pete Aufiero, Andrew Gena and myself went and recorded the new piece, and interviewed Susan, Matthew’s teacher, the composer, and two of Matthew’s classmates. It will appear on the Composing Thoughts site soon, and will no doubt be used later by TV. We’ll also have the piece of music, Dreams by David Shover for chorus and two oboes on the site to see and hear.
It was simply stunning, touching and delightful. And it was on Mother’s Day.

Here’s the Patroit article:

Chorus sings 'Dreams' for a friend
Monday, May 14, 2007
BY MARY KLAUS
Of The Patriot-News
Matthew Bianchi doesn't speak, but his movements said volumes yesterday.
The Derry Twp. man stood up, hummed and waved his arms as he heard "Dreams," which was composed for him by a faculty member at his school and sung to him by the Camp Hill Senior High School chorus.
He relaxed for the rest of the Camp Hill Middle School High School's Spring Choral Concert & Art Exhibit.
"Matthew likes music, everything from German hip-hop to reggae," said Susan Bianchi of Derry Twp., Matthew's mother. She said she commissioned the score to honor her son and thank the school for helping him.
Matthew Bianchi, 21, will graduate from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit Multi-Disabilities Support Class on June 6.
A rare congenital birth defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum has left his brain missing the part that connects the two cerebral hemispheres. That condition, and another neurological disorder called hypoplasia cerebellar vermis, has left him unable to speak or walk steadily.
Yet he's a strong force in the school's musical programs, said David Shover, the school's vocal music director.
"CAIU classes are in our building," Shover said. "Matthew loves music and comes to our rehearsals. When we sing, he is the audience, sometimes humming along, other times concentrating on the music. Music is Matthew's love, so it seems natural to share his love for music with others."
His mother said music has allowed her son to participate in some of the school's mainstream activities.
"Some people look at someone like Matt and ask 'what good is that person?'" she said. "Matthew teaches people about joy and acceptance. I'm proud of him. Since this is Matthew's last year at Camp Hill, I wanted to do something to thank the music department for accepting Matthew over the years."
She and Shover unsuccessfully sought the right composer outside the district. When they "couldn't find the right fit with the right music," Shover offered to compose the piece himself. When Susan Bianchi said she wanted music to accompany the poem "Dreams" by Langston Hughes, Shover wrote a serious piece to be accompanied by two oboes.
Junior Carrie Seefeldt and Molly Silverman, an eighth-grader, played the oboes yesterday as students sang the short but powerful song to Matthew Bianchi.
They looked at the man who taught them about gentleness as they sang "Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
Casey Brooks, a junior and CAIU volunteer, smiled.
"Matt is very lovable," she said. "Even though he can't talk, he understands everything you say to him. He's cute and has gorgeous brown eyes. He likes to flirt and smile a lot. He also loves music. Sometimes when I sing to him, he hums along and taps his feet to the music. I'll miss him when he graduates."
Matthew Dodd, Matthew Bianchi's CAIU teacher, hugged Matthew, saying that he and his five other students with multiple disabilities seem to love music.
"I don't know how much Matthew knew the song was for him," Dodd said. "But he sat for the whole performance, only standing up and moving during that song. That may have been his way of saying 'this is my song.' He knew his friends were singing to him."
Susan Bianchi said that after graduation, her son will go to Hope Springs Farm in East Hanover Twp. several days a week. At the 17-acre farm for people with disabilities, she said her son will help care for animals and plants and participate in indoor activities.
MARY KLAUS: 255-8113

Whew

I carry a note in my suit that says "Shhh!" because people love to talk during performances. (And I keep it around so I don't have to make further noise by asking someone NOT to talk during the music.)

Last month in NYC I asked in a very courteous manner a woman at intermission at Merkin Recital Hall if she would mind not chewing her gum so loudly, it was a distraction to the recital. She was quite offended (so was her husband) and they ended up leaving...while I felt slightly bad that they were going to miss the rest of the concert, I enjoyed it that much more by not having the smacking of gum sounding right behind me and could focus on the awesome performance of Maria Bachmann.

Glad I wasn't beat up!

Fun and friends

Been busy catching up after a vacation - which I'm happy to report my mom is out of the rehab/nursing home!

Tuesday much fun was had at Manga Qui...

And Wednesday was spent at Al Med playing with Paul Zavinsky!

Quote

Ala Terry Teachout's wonderful almanac entries:
When once asked if recordings could replace the concert experience,Klemperer replied, "Listening to a recording is like going to bed witha photograph of Marilyn Monroe."

Teachout has wonderful news about Sante Fe Opera here.

Listen and vote

It will take a few moments to register, but the following two minutes is well worth it.
Please take two minutes, and vote for my friend Jann at Public Radio Talent Quest.
You'll be glad you did, and then be able to say, oh yeah, I voted for her in round one...and round two, and the finals, and woohoo!
Go ahead, you know you want to!

Tunick busy

A new record in art...tops previous record by 11,000 people...read about it here.

On the way home

Seen from a famous curve from train #44 "Pennsylvanian"

Another friend, another mom

Was sadden to learn of my friend Joyce's loss:
http://www.joycedidonato.com/english1.html

More from Omaha

While I was out

I spent my days visiting my mom

See here with therapist Holly and my dad.

Eating in Pittsburgh

This place struck me funny, not sure about the fare though.

Seen in Pittsburgh

The back of Heinz Hall, pretty cool!

In the players

on repeat is "lalala" from The Bird and The Bee on the ol' mp3 player...running on the dvd player is season two of "24"

Off

I start vacation today, so expect few updates over the next week. See you when I'm back on May 6th.

Some good news

About my friend Joyce! Congrats!!!! Two timer, you ;)

So long

It was sad to hear about the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich. I know a student of his, and many cellists, who regarded him highly. You might, or might not, remember I met him about a year ago, and inquired about an interview. You can read about that encounter here.
There are many links on the web for his music and videos. I'll play his recording of the Miaskovsky Concerto this afternoon on WITF. You can listen live here.

Coming up

What are you doing this weekend?

Come on out to WITF and see the new digs!

Five Things about Maria Bachmann

I heard the delightful recital (entitled the Red Violin, in reference to her latest cd) by Maria Bachmann and Jon Klibonoff Wednesday night at Merkin Hall in NYC.
1. The program began with Ravel's Violin Sonata - lesser violinists might end with this work - Maria began with it and not only played it from memory but with the flair of a world premiere - like she was making it up and creating the music right then and there. Few pianists could keep up with such tempos and do so with such amazing ensemble - Jon Klibonoff was more than a match, truly a musical partner/creator.
2. I've never been a fan of Copland's violin pieces, the Ukelele Serenade and Nocturne - I've read through them myself, and heard numerous recordings. That is, until last February when I heard Maria and Jon play them...suddenly, the pieces came to life and made sense. That usually doesn't happen to me, I get it or don't right off. So it was a delight to hear these Copland gems in concert.
3. John Corigliano was at the recital last night (seen left - on stage making remarks) and was delighted in hearing the "world premiere" of his Red Violin Chaconne for Violin and Piano. He joked that he was such a conservationist that he recycled the work from the orchestral version and also into the first movement of his violin concerto. I can't imagine playing the chaconne in front of the composer, for the first time, or recording it and then premiering it as Maria did. She again was playing from memory, and certainly showed no signs of nerves - only the gregariousness of her fiddle. I joked with Corigliano afterwards that Maria is such a shy player and oh so delicate. After hearing this in concert, I really put Klibonoff on a whole other level of musicians - he was stunning.
4. After intermission, Maria's friend and composer extraordinare Paul Moravec (seen right, on stage making remarks and joking about his age) had three pieces, written for or arranged for Maria. Paul has a unassuming manner, and a real flair of capturing Maria's energy in his works. He also wrote "Evermore" for Maria and her husband Josh - a real gorgeous work that is on the album (see below) - a must hear. Paul also told a great anecdote about the Ariel Fantasy, which became the first movement of his Tempest Fantasy that took the 2004 Pulitzer Prize...he (Paul) is Prospero to Maria's Ariel - how poetic. [You can hear Maria talk about Paul's music in an interview on Composing Thoughts here.]
5. The recital ended with George Enescu's 3rd Violin Sonata. It's not on the Red Violin cd but "fits the energy and music" of the disc as Maria stated from the stage. It also was performed from memory and with the outstanding panache that Maria brings to her music making. Lucy Miller from her program notes aptly says that while it is a violin sonata, the piano certainly has as many notes and is as virtuosic. Hear hear! Maria and Jon followed it with a short Gershwin selection (arranged by Jon) as an encore.
You can find the cd here, and definitely plan to hear her if you can: with Trio Soloisti, the Lark Quartet or in recital, you'll be glad you did!
Seen afterwards: the producer of the Red Violin Adam Abeshouse, Paul Moravec, and John Corigliano at Merkin Recital Hall.

Five Things about Songs: Innocence and Experience

I caught a vocal recital of young singers with the composers accompanying their own songs Tuesday night at Christ and St. Stephen's Church in NYC.
1. The night began with three well-crafted songs written in 2001 from Tom Cipullo, one of the organizers of the evening. Soprano Leilah Dione's voice filled the space well, if a little formal. A nice start nonetheless.
2. Next up were Larkin Songs by Daron Hagen and baritone David McFerrin. I know these from the Arsis recording and a friendship with Daron since meeting him in Las Vegas a few years ago. It was a delightful performance capturing the poetry and humor.
3. Perhaps the most stunning performance of the singers was soprano Vira Slywotzky. She brought depth, humor and amazing color to the songs of Yehudi Wyner, himself a real delight. Wyner spoke about the pieces, and was downright inviting in his performance - it suddenly felt like a parlor with friends rather than a recital. Especially charming and hilarious was Florida Express, written in 1993 for Robert Levin.
4. After intermission we were treated to David Del Tredici's Miss Enez Sez, with two selections: The Happy Child and Good News! Nilda is back. Soprano Erin Heisel performed from memory and showed off her coloratura and also something you don't always get: playing the tambourine. Her drama was most excellent, and Del Tredici was fleet fingered to say the least.
5. The recital ended with the godfather of modern American Song, Ned Rorem. He was joined by Emily Albrink who is as beautiful as her voice is warm. (I know it's hard to tell from the fuzzy picture, left, but she's gorgeous.) They gave a set of six songs from the 1940s and 1950s - before Rorem was born as he joked before playing! The performance was moving, seeing the young and old together as well as a balance of musicality, interpretation and taste.

What a night! I'll definitely keep an eye out for more "Friends & Enemies of New Music" events and concerts. I'm so glad Daron told me about it!

PS- It was pretty wild to be at a recital with four Pulitzer Prize winning composers! Besides Wyner, Del Tredici and Rorem, Aaron Jay Kernis was across the aisle from me.

Waiting for the tunnel

I had such a long wait to get through the Lincoln tunnel Tuesday night that I took some pictures, including this view of Manhattan.

Congrats

Congratulations to Andrew Constantine, who is the new conductor of the Reading Symphony Orchestra!

Constantine succeeds Maestro Sidney Rothstein, who retired last year after 30 years of inspired leadership of the orchestra. During his tenure, Rothstein conducted more than 200 performances, helped establish RSO’s reputation as a first-class regional orchestra, and introduced the audience to a broad spectrum of repertoire.
The appointment of Andrew Constantine concludes an intensive three-year process, as the Search Committee, chaired by Penny Proserpi, evaluated more than 275 applicants from several dozen states and eight or more foreign countries. Eight finalists performed as guest conductors during the 2006-2007 RSO season.
“Maestro Constantine emerged as the best of an outstanding group of candidates,” Proserpi said. “The Committee created a profile at the beginning of the search in May of 2004. It identified all of the attributes, both musical and off the podium, that we felt would raise the quality of the Symphony to an even higher level of excellence. Those talents include artistic, administrative, and community leadership skills. Throughout this season, the Committee sought the input of its musicians, audiences and leaders in both the arts and business community to help evaluate each conductor. Constantine best met all of these criteria.”
Asked to comment on his appointment, Andrew Constantine replied, “I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity of working and establishing a relationship with the Reading Symphony Orchestra. It was exciting to find, at our first rehearsal, that here was an orchestra of real skill and terrific musicality, which possessed both the willingness and the capacity to help me shape my ideas. When added to a support and management team that is also both enterprising and forward thinking it proved a pretty irresistible combination for me.
Together we will meet the exciting challenges that are ahead of us and continue the great and lengthy tradition of the Reading Symphony to perform music which is both entertaining, engaging and thought provoking.”
The Reading Symphony Orchestra, the 12th oldest symphony in the United States, has been giving concerts in Reading since 1913 and consists of 81 professional musicians

Five Things about the Guarneri Quartet

The Guarneri played a stunning program last night at Susquehanna University.
1. It wasn't well attended, which broke my heart, but was appreciated by those who came.
2. The late Mozart quartet they opened with fit them musically and poetically: the Guarneri has always been in my mind's eye the "stereotypical" quartet, and one to measure others by. The music fit on all of those levels, and they to Mozart's charm and grace.
3. The Janacek first quartet is dramatic and fiery. It's also a wonderful mirror image form: slow-fast-fast-slow. Again, the quartet spoke well for the composer and I can't imagine finer music making than their performance last night.
4. The Ravel quartet is such an old standby that it was great to hear it live (again! I saw them play it in Wichita back in 1990) with the Guarneris. That said, it is hard to see musical idols age. Some things, while they were stunning, are not what they once were.
5. It was nice to speak with the guys afterwards, and to chat: about upcoming performances, the summer, baseball, booksignings and new music. Half the group was heading to BJs afterwards, where I ate with a friend before the concert, so I could actually recommend a few menu items and beers!

Stellar music making all in all with the quartet, a true musical institution that you should hear sooner than later.

Short Story

From my friend Dick, who was talking this weekend about Wagner & love for the Harrisburg Symphony concerts:

>>> For good luck she [Kirsten Flagstad] adopted another ritual before the performance: Either her accompanist, Edwin McArthur, or her husband would blow cigarsmoke--which she loved--in her face. <<<
His source

Endorsement

In reference to my AAUW program...check out the sidebar for some new dates of my performances and concerttalks!

From: Elizabeth Packer
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:00 PM
To: Mary Kratzer; Kathy Silks
Cc: Colleen Willard-Holt
Subject: 12 April Program [sls]

Dear Mary, dear Kathy,

Thank you for bringing such an interesting program to our Branch. John Clare certainly can hold our attention. His program was over too soon, I could have listened to him more, and his violin. Since both of you recommended him highly, I did go last fall to one of his presentations at the Mechanicsburg Library. It was a different program, also excellent.

I hope that next year, with your help, we can have another good selection of programs.

Best regards,

Lila

Party like it's...

2007...or your 37th birthday.
So things have been busy. Not only did I turn 37 on the 11th, but I'm taking a week off and am trying to get everything ready...add the many concerts, interviews, programming, and life in general and you get one eskimo that can barely keep up, more or less blog. So here goes...starting more recently.
The Harrisburg Symphony played a wonderful concert Sunday afternoon. Henry Fogel, president of the A.S.O.L., was on hand and gave ringing endorsements for the group and Stuart Malina. Here here! or Hear here!
[photo of the talkback with Fogel, the new english horn player, the new assistant principal violist, and Malina.]

Saturday night I went the premiere of the End of Winter by Chris Whittaker at the York Symphony. This 21 year old is one to watch (and listen!) Also on the program was Zuill Bailey, who I had met years ago in Las Vegas and had seen again on the east coast. Nice to see him and as the title of this blog entry notes, party.

Thursday I interviewed maestro Donald Runnicles , seen right. Hear our interview in two parts, both are mp3s and run about 7 minutes each: [part1] [part2]
I heard the Philadelphia Orchestra with Runnicles in a wonderful program: Messiaen Hymne; Bruch Violin Concerto #1 with Janine Jansen; and John Adams' Harmonielehre. Janine was stunning and remains in my estimation one of the great players of our time. Hear an interview of mine with her here.

I wound up doing my taxes on Tuesday night, April 17th about 11pm, and had server problems - luckily it went through. Small federal refund and small state due...

The previous weekend had goofy weather. So Saturday, before the deluge, I went to Princeton and interviewed David Little - watch for his upcoming episode on Composing Thoughts. Then I interviewed Lisa Bielawa in NYC, her episode is this week - be sure and catch it!
Then (still Saturday the 14th, really) I went down to Philadelphia and had dinner and drinks with friends from Las Vegas. Bob and Jory are dear to my heart and it was awesome to see them. [Pictured left at Farmicia]

Friday the 13th was uneventful - no bad luck that is- although we we fundraising at WITF. My friend and cohort in music Paul took me out for my birthday. We'll be playing alot over the summer - check us out Memorial Day weekend at ArtsFest and at Cornerstone Coffeehouse!

Thursday the 12th I had the pleasure of interviewing and hearing cellist Elinor Frey (pictured together on the right). She premiered a piece written for her by Steven Stucky called Dialoghi (or Dialogues); and also played Seven Butterflies by Kaija Saariaho. It'll be on Composing Thoughts in May - keep an eye and ear out! I also gave a talk that night to the A.A.U.W. in Camp Hill and then had a delightful dinner with Elinor at Mangia Qui (the second night in a row for me!) [see below]

Wednesday the 11th was the beginning of the end - just kidding! I had dinner and drinks with my good friends Bob and Sue (who I had just house sat for) at Mangia Qui, one of their, and one of mine, favorites in Harrsiburg.

We then went to the Whitaker Center and heard Quartetto Gelato (QG for short) in concert, which I introduced as emcee. (picture of the unique and nice setup from the stage on the right)

Afterwards I had a drink with Elinor (pictured left) the cellist of QG, and her colleagues arrived for more drinks and cigars. We talked music into the wee hours! What a birthday! Now you know what I've been up to rather than blogging!

Testify

So I've been impressed and a little overwhelmed by the American Symphony Orchestra League's new email bulletins. They are chock full of information, and I never knew how much I wanted to attend their events and activities.

The latest one though had me laughing.


Putting a violist in front of Congress for a testimonial just makes me laugh. Really. Nothing personal about the violist that they have picked, it's the instrument, and the words, testify. Call it "Classical Junior High Humor" - the equivalent of fart jokes.


Think about it...


Imagine a distinguished senator from New York asking about the practice habits of violists.


Or the schtick one could lambast a senator from Massachusetts when he saw Cynthia Phelps (above, left) or her stand partner Rebecca Young (right). [Grant you that IS the sexiest and most musical pairing I know of in any orchestra!]


So while arts funding is quite serious and I think the A.S.O.L. and the Americans for the Arts are doing a bang up job, it was ripe for me to have a giggle. And we all need that now and then!

Links, nicht rechts

Just kidding, nothing about left here. Nor right really.

However, amidst the crappy news around, this is a bit of hope: Classical music healing.

There are some great posts up at Composing Thoughts about the Pulitzers and the start of FIVE WEEKS of world premieres in Central PA! Check it out. And, of course, tune in Sunday nights at 7pm (available online to listen as well!)

Good blur

It's been a week that has past by quite quickly, no doubt aided by my 37th birthday. Thanks for all of the wishes and gifts, ranging from cards, dinners, drinks, hats, and even some new music!

I started this post on Friday afternoon and got taken out...and now the weekend has been a blur too. More on it all really soon. Pictures too!

Poetic

The latest Danse Macabre is now out, see it here. While it focuses on poetry, my friend Adam managed to include me with a fun reworking of a composer interview I did - enjoy!

Just in

It's official!

Read the article here: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/50221.html

Make your voice heard now and vote in another radio poll...Vote for your favorites now at WITF's 89.5 Classix! (Might I suggest to write in Jennifer Higdon, Augusta Read Thomas, Walter Mays, Joan Tower, Steven Stucky or Paul Moravec?)

Talent quest

How was your easter? Mine was good thanks.
I spent the weekend dog-and-house-sitting for friends on a trip in the Carribbean. It was a blast. The springer spaniels were great and gave me a "dog fix" I needed.
I also produced a friend's entry for the Public Radio Talent Quest and enjoyed her company. I had a chance to chat with my parents, and with another high school friend who we hadn't touched base in a year or so.
This week will be busy as Quartetto Gelato visits the midstate, I turn 37, give a talk for the AAUW, and go to NYC over the weekend.

I've also posted my latest interview with Arnold Steinhardt here (and you might remember our discussion last year in Lancaster), and this week's composer on Composing Thoughts is John Harbison - there's some good extras here. Enjoy!

Another view

You can read a NY Times review of the McMillen concert here.
And you can see me with Peter Schickele here after our interview, and a picture with Eric Ewazen here. (Thanks Andrew G for taking them!)
More soon - have a great Easter!

Five Things about Blair McMillen

I caught a recital at the Italian Academy at Columbia University (officially the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America) last night in NYC. The program was part of the "Music for a New Century" - Works composed since 2000, with pianist Blair McMillen.
1. I thought I might see one or two of the composers at the concert - after all, Blair is the pianist for the DaCapo Players, so I wondered. As I was out front enjoying a cigarillo, Joan Tower showed up with friends, and we chatted. Later, inside, Derek Bermel sat behind me and we chatted - he pointed out Anthony Tommasini and Fred Hersh to me.
2. The program showed no intermission, and really didn't need one - the five pieces were diverse but not terribly long. Blair took some time in between, which was just right. The order was delightful too: Steven Stucky, Barbara White, The new Goldberg variations (including the original aria and 4 new variations by Stanley Walden, Fred Hersh, Mischa Zupko, and Derek Bermel), Marco Stroppa and Joan Tower.
3. Listening to piano works by composers you know is certainly interesting, especially when it is their chamber music or orchestral scores you are familiar. I have new respect for many of them now - hmmm, maybe new insight is a better word, I still respect them.
4. This program is one of the finest treats I've had, and it was free. While the 50 or 60 people in the audience were appreciative and didn't make it less appealing, I'm a little suprised that it wasn't better attended. Why is that?
5. Blair included two encores, "In the rain" by Barbara White, again from her "Reliquary" and "Sexy" from Kyle Gann's "Private Dances" - both short and sweet. It was a fitting end to a rockin' recital.
The next concert is May 2nd, 2007 with Kathleen Supove and Jennifer Choi. Email Rick Whitaker or call him at 212 854 1623 for free tickets (and tell him John Clare sent you!)

Last 24...

So, in the last 24 hours, I've interviewed two composers in NYC (Peter Schickele and Eric Ewazen); had a great lunch at a vietnamese place; stayed for $80(!!!!!) overnight; ate at one of my fave italian places (joe g's on 56th); saw blair mcmillen tear up the keyboard at columbia (for free!) and there were 4 of the composers on the program in attendance. Oh, and I brought back a dozen & a half bagels for my coworkers.
whew!
I love my life.

Would it help?

Would it help if we ran away faster?*
This story just struck me funny...go figure. Imagine if Amtrak had such speedy trains, what my travel would be like between Harrisburg, Philly, DC and NYC?!

*Thank you Monty Python!

Five Things about Alarm Will Sound

I heard the "farewell" concert at Dickinson College of the ensemble in residence, Alarm Will Sound (AWS) Saturday night at Rubendall Hall.
1. The evening was stellar, from precise and moving performances to educational activities where the students were playing alongside the performers (in a new work nonetheless!) to a killer reception afterwards.
2. Michael Gordon has a far better sense of rhythm than I do. So does Benedict Mason. In fact, AWS does in general! Some great funky stuff - catch them when they come to your town - and buy their cds.
3. The premieres the whole evening were superb, and the program itself was so well crafted. I enjoyed "Plays Well With Others" by Robert Pound - who led his work with panache and sparkle.
4. John Orfe's Chamber Symphony was particularly good, and his knowledge of his colleagues shows in the writing (he's the pianist in AWS). Of course, his company and friendship with Ezra Ladermann and John Adams doesn't hurt I'm sure. The work has a Mahlerian feel with 21st century good taste - that is to say, it is a serious and virtuosic work which I long to hear again.
5. The encore was from their Aphex Twin cd, conceived at Rubendall Hall a few years ago. It was delightful, but I would have also had them encore even more - I almost shouted "Da Capo!" at the end of Animals and the Origins of Dance. (The musicians all leave the stage, where pre-recorded sounds are heard along with off stage playing! pictured left.)

I'm looking forward to hearing AWS again live and on future cds!
[You can hear and see interviews with Robert Pound and John Orfe here.]
BTW, my friends joined me: Zach, Bob and Sue - we had great seats!

I also had the great pleasure to finally meet Mel and Matt:

Read Melissa's blog here. Turns out she knew a player from high school and I knew the cellist who was subbing previously...small world!

Friends Focus

It's been a wacky week, and Friday was a delight...I attended a cocktail party and then art opening at the Mantis Collective in Harrisburg.

Below are some scenes from the relaxing and fun event.

Delightful article

The latest installment from New Music Box on economics is a great read. Find it here. Enjoy!

Congrats

It's just been announced:
THE AMERICAN MUSIC CENTER
ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY
2007 HONOREES
Letter of Distinction: T.J. Anderson, John Corigliano, and Ralph N. Jackson
Trailblazer Award: eighth blackbird

MONDAY MAY 7th
5:00-7:00 PM

Chelsea Art Museum
556 West 22nd Street (at 11th Avenue)
New York City, NY 10011

Check out their site to find out more and to attend (deadline is April 25th!)

Lettah to the Editah

Nice to see coverage of Concertante by the local Harrisburg paper this last week:
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1174795814114680.xml&coll=1
and
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/117467434170840.xml&coll=1

also a link to the Thursday promo piece on Mansurian and Ara:
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/117448710253580.xml&coll=1

It was interesting to read Mr. Dunkel's take on the flyer announcing the dates of the group's season. So the board president, Elizabeth "Bebe" Mullaugh has written the following to the Patriot News:

re: David Dunkle's review of Concertante (3/25/2007)
While pleased to see David Dunkle's review of Concertante's March 24 concert in Sunday's Patriot-News, as president of Concertante's board of directors, I am concerned that the focus on Concertante's "intention to leave Whitaker" may have left readers with an inaccurate impression of Concertante's relationship with one of our region's best cultural institutions.
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is a tremendous asset in our community and Concertante is honored to have been a resident company there since 1999. Whitaker's Sunoco Theatre is an excellent space for amplified music, musical theater productions and opera, however its size and acoustics make presentation of chamber music by small ensembles less than perfect. Concertante and the terrific staff at the Sunoco Theater have worked hard to address these challenges, including experiments with placement of the acoustical shell and even placing the entire audience on the stage, all in the interest of creating a compelling concert-going experience.
After much consideration, the ensemble decided to present two of its 2006-2007 concerts at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center at Harrisburg Area Community College. At the September concert, the audience and the musicians were extremely pleased with the intimate space and acoustics of the Rose Lehrman auditorium. Based on that experience, the board and ensemble decided to schedule all of Concertante's 2007-2008 dates there.
Saturday evening's "announcement" referred to by Mr. Dunkle was merely a program insert alerting audience members of our 2007-2008 dates and concert location. Whitaker Center has long been aware of the move and Concertante's relationship with Whitaker Center remains cordial and open. While we will miss our association with Whitaker as a resident company, we believe that being on campus at HACC will offer the added opportunity to attract students and faculty to the concerts, reflecting Concertante's mission to bring the beauty of live chamber music to increasingly diverse audiences. Concertante's move to Rose Lehrman is a logical one, not driven by economics or ill-will, simply a commitment to the music and our audience.
Elizabeth P. Mullaugh
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166

There may be further coverage...and yes, for those playing at home, and for full disclosure, I'm a board member of Concertante. :)

Five in Six

Well, the answer could be 1.2...but it's not. I interviewed five composers in six days:
Pierre Jalbert on Tuesday.
Roxanna Panufnik on Thursday.
John Orfe and Tigran Mansurian on Saturday.
Derek Bermel on Sunday.

Plus more this week! What's that saying about March, in like a lion? No time, gotta go prepare for another interview...

Get out the vote

Yesterday's post also reminded me about the NSO touring Kansas...but I forgot to post the link to their blog...here it is, enjoy! More on the NSO and modern music soon - but for now, take a look at their May 17-19 concerts and you'll see changes, doh!

I also forgot to tell you that WITF has started it's 89.5 Classics, so go now and vote! You can vote weekly in the categories and you can also write in your favorite piece, if it's not shown in the poll. It'd be nice to have some "winners" in modern music scene!!!!

At the speed of life

I've been extra busy these days, and have had a little bit of time to think about it.

If you know me at all, you know that I adore the music of Sir Andrzej Panufnik. Wednesday I met his daughter, Roxanna who is a talented composer as well. Thursday we had an interview for Composing Thoughts, and last night I heard her Love Abides premiered in Philadelphia. It was sublime.

[picture of Roxanna and John before the concert]

It was stellar to meet her, and hard not to ask questions about Andrzej. I did work in a question about growing up with a artistic family and a father who was a composer. You'll have to tune into the show to find out the answers to that and much more.

Yesterday was filled also with other interviews (see the previous post below!) and as I was driving I could hear, but not see the big screen simulcast, of The Barber of Seville with former fellow WSU student Joyce DiDonato. Of course what I heard was sublime. Friends called at intermission and we talked about how stunning she was! I hope they encore it, I'd love to see it again, and may just have to go see one of the repeat performances live at the Met.

Here's a tidbit about Joyce and Un voce poco fa. I used to put together alot of concerts - especially in college, I would even conduct quartets given the chance. I began my debut with Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man to open the very first WSU Contemporary Music Festival. I also started the Wichita Chamber Orchestra, besides the Virtuosi di Wichita State - we'd do Haydn Symphonies, the gorgeous middle movement of Gorecki's Third Symphony and once I did the Marriage of Figaro for horn choir - hey, like I said I would do anything to conduct.

On one such outing with the first concert of the Wichita Chamber Orchestra, we did a concert with myself, Robert Glasmann guest conducted and our soloist was Joyce Flaherty (now DiDonato.) The program opened with Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers Overture. Then Joyce sang Una voce poco fa from the Barber of Seville. Glasmann conducted Barber's Adagio (I sat in on viola!) and then we ended with Beethoven's First Symphony.

At the first rehearsal (all of the music was on loan from WSU's library) early in June before everyone left for summer festivals, we read the Rossini Overture. Bob was around for the Barber and Joyce was ready for the Rossini. Call me naive, but I hadn't realized there were two versions of the aria, one for soprano and one for mezzo. We started the aria, and Joyce stopped me. "What is that? What key are you in?!" Whoops. WSU only had the soprano version!

She sang it nevertheless. And with all the charm that is Joyce/Rosina.

Yesterday driving I smiled when Joyce was singing at the Met, and reminded me of 16 years ago on the summer day at Duerkson Fine Arts Center in the orchestra room. Bob laughed and shook his head at me. Guess that's one reason I never went into conducting...those small details.

BTW, you can hear and see Joyce on YouTube here. (in the right versions!)

Putting busy in business

So my travels continue, fast and furious. Had a great interview with Roxanna Panufnik Thursday, then last night a yummy new pizza place discovery for me in Lemoyne with a friend before catching Concertante at Suba - if you were there, you had a blast, if not you're a square! Fear not, they are playing a killer concert tonight at Whitaker Center - go!!!!

I'm about to go interview the composer Tigran Mansurian this afternoon, then go to Philly for Love Abides premiere with Roxanna.
Tomorrow I talk with Derek Bermel in Philly as well.


I just finished an interview at WITF with John Orfe, the pianist from Alarm Will Sound - what a treat. His Chamber Symphony is premiered next Saturday at Dickinson - another don't miss concert. Here we are after the interview - keep an ear out for it over on Composing Thoughts, as I'll be starting a world premiere section!


For more concerts going on, check out Dick Strawser's blog.

Mid Week

It's been a very busy week, and I haven't written any updates in a while, so my apologies. Here's what I have been up to while NOT blogging.
Tuesday afternoon and evening I was back in NYC, for the presentation of the Stoeger Prize at the Chamber Music of Lincoln Center. See some more pictures from the event, and hear an interview with the winner, Pierre Jalbert, from that afternoon, here.

After the presentation and reception, I went to the New York premiere of The Juniper Tree, an opera written by Robert Moran and Philip Glass (yes, two composers!) It was real delight, and a delightful performance. After the concert, Moran and the librettist were interviewed onstage by John Schaeffer (not dressed for success - but for radio still, lol!) I have to say, Bob was in fine form and his typical feisty self.

Then last night I was in Philadelphia, catching a rehearsal with the Choral Arts Society and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in what will be a world premiere this weekend of Roxanna Panufnik's Love Abides. It was excellent to hear her music and meet her. (You may know I consider her father, Sir Andrzej Panufnik, the greatest composer of all time. I have to say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

Tonight I'll interview Roxanna for Composing Thoughts and be back for the premiere Saturday night.

Tomorrow night is Concertante at Suba, playing a preview of their concert Saturday. Come one, come all!

Congrats

Kudos to Josh Bell, this year's winner for the Avery Fischer Prize!
You can hear an interview I did earlier this year with Josh here; and read a concert review of him in Philadelphia here.

FTT

It's coming soon!
From the Top, NPR’s phenomenally popular radio series highlighting the talents of young musicians age 8 to 18, comes to PBS television this April as From the Top: Live from Carnegie Hall. While the radio series continues uninterrupted, this new series of 13 half-hour television programs showcases the top-notch skills, offbeat humor, and compelling stories of America’s best young classical musicians. Celebrated pianist Christopher O’Riley, host of the radio series, fills that role on television as well, bringing stirring performances, engaging interviews, and a playful spirit to a family viewing audience. Occasional appearances by guest stars—violinist Joshua Bell, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, banjo player Béla Fleck, cellist Yo-Yo Ma—round out the offerings. For air dates and times, please visit www.pbs.org. To watch TV highlights, join us on YouTube at www.youtube.com/classicalkids.

Lead by example

How NOT to write a classical music blog post, or a public radio blog for that matter:
All Classical Radio 89.9 FM
Shame on you KBPS...and especially you Eric.