Labor Day 2012

Steven Stucky at the Great Wall of China

So what's on tap for your Labor Day? Perhaps you should listen to Einstein on the Beach? Some Amy Beach?
Relax with Michael Torke's Blue Pacific?

Why not head over to Composing Thoughts on facebook and like us, staying informed of contemporary music and creativity!

S4M tix

Single tickets go on sale for the 2013 Spring For Music Festival today, August 27, at www.carnegiehall.org. By pricing all single tickets at $25 dollars, selling seats on a first-come/first-serve basis, and accepting orchestras on the basis of adventurous programming, Spring For Music continues to redefine the classical music experience. The festival invites New York and hometown fans alike to come hear North America's most ambitious orchestras prove themselves at one of the world's most famous concert halls. This year's festival features the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Albany Symphony Orchestra (which also participated in the 2011 festival), the Buffalo Philh armonic Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony (also appeared in 2011), the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. The festival runs from May 6, 2013 to May 11, 2013.
Spring For Music firmly believes that great ideas and great concert programs come from open dialogue and creative collaboration. To further this conversation, Spring For Music created two web initiatives in addition to their concert activities: The Fantasy Program and the Arts Blogger Challenge.


Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Monday, May 6, 2013 
        Marin Alsop, music director
                JOHN ADAMS: Shaker Loops
                JENNIFER HIGDON: Concerto 4-3
                        Time for Three, string trio
                SERGEI PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 4 (1947 version)
Albany Symphony Orchestra
May 7, 2013
        David Alan Miller, music director
                JOHN HARBISON: Suite from The Great Gatsby
                GEORGE GERSHWIN: Second Rhapsody for piano and orchestra
                        Kevin Cole, piano
                MORTON GOULD: Symphony No. 3
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
May 8, 2013
        JoAnna Falletta, music director
                GIYA KANCHELI: "Morning Prayers" from Life Without Christmas
                REINHOLD GLIÈRE: Symphony No. 3, "Ilya Muromets"
Oregon Symphony
May 9, 2013
        Carlos Kalmar, music director
                NARONG PRANGCHAROEN: Phenomenon
                 KURT WEILL: Seven Deadly Sins
                        Storm Large, vocalist
                ARNOLD SCHOENBERG: Accompaniment to a Film Scene
                FRANZ SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 8, "Unfinished"
                    MAURICE RAVEL: La Valse
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
May 10, 2013
        Leonard Slatkin, music director
                CHARLES IVES: Symphony No. 1
                CHARLES IVES: Symphony No. 2
                CHARLES IVES: Symphony No. 3
                CHARLES IVES: Symphony No. 4
National Symphony Orchestra
May 11, 2013
        Christoph Eschenbach, music director
                ALFRED SCHNITTKE: Symphony No. 6
                SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5

Classical action

These are the top ten WORST songs for a gun control classical concert:

10. Christian Ellis' Fallujah

9. Mancini: Peter Gunn

8. Berlin: Annie Get Your Gun

7. Shostakovich: The man with the gun Overture


6. Arthur Bliss: Things to Come: Attack of the Moon Gun

5. Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid

4. Antheil Ballet machanique

3. Paul Moravec's Double Action 

2. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
and the number one WORST piece for gun control is

Weber's Der Freishutz Overture

OFJ a hit

Poster outside the Teatro Degollado

There's lots to enjoy in Guadalajara - the history, food, shopping and the arts. Most recently the Orquesta Filarmonica de Jalisco named Alondra de la Parra as the Artistic Director, and the results are electric!

I spoke to the Operations Manager about the effect Alondra has had on the orchestra:

A standing ovation for Shostakovich 5

I also asked an audience member at intermission of a concert, what she thought about the orchestra and its new director:










And after the final concert of Season 2 (the third starts this October!) to Alondra de la Parra about music, working in Mexico, and teaching:

ORQUESTA EN ASCENSO

Hay un buen refrán que dice que el todo es mayor que sus partes, lo cual no necesariamente es verdad con muchas orquestas, pero si se agrega un nuevo Director Artístico -Alondra de la Parra - a la Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco, las partes no solo se multiplican exponencialmente, sino que se electrizan de energía!

  Asistí al Programa 6 este viernes 13 de julio en el bello Teatro Degollado.  El programa orquestal abrió con Silvestre Revueltas.  Esa obra puede ser aterrorizante e hipnótica y la orquesta estuvo a la altura de ello. Es muy colorida e inventiva, no comprendo porqué no aparece más frecuentemente en los programas…… felicitaciones a Tomás Rosaleny que estuvo atinado en el solo tuba, y al excelente trabajo de la percusión que estuvo clara y firme.

  La Bella Durmiente de Tchaikovsky fue la siguiente pieza del programa que estuvo totalmente vendido (efectivamente, tres días antes del concierto ya no se podían encontrar boletos!).  Puede que no haya nada más bello que Alondra de la Parra en el podio – es poético que esta joven directora la brinde a la orquesta justo lo que necesita en términos de ritmo y, al mismo tiempo, le de al público un espectáculo fabuloso.  Para esa suite de cinco movimientos, gozamos de toda una gama de sonidos, desde valses con pegajosos ritmos a escenas introspectivas, ejemplificadas en el popular Vals del Acto 1.

 

Alondra de la Parra in Shostakovich


Después de un breve intermedio, el programa terminó con la Quinta Sinfonía de Dmitri Shostakovich, una de las obras más dramáticas y bien estructuradas del repertorio orquestal, la cual juega con dos notas “ba-bum” y su inverso a través de los cuatro movimientos.  Quizá siendo viernes 13 afectó a algunos de la orquesta, como el corno principal fuera de tono (que tampoco estaba bien en los ensayos de esa mañana, que pena) y el batón de Alondra de la Parra que salió volando hacia las violas (he visto que eso le pase a muchos otros directores, pero nunca había visto que tuvieran uno de repuesto – ella sí y siguió dirigiendo como sin nada!).  Fuera de eso, Shostakovich hubiera estado fascinado con los tempos rápidos, líneas fogosas y genuina excitación en esa ejecución.  Muy atinados fueron los solos del primer violín, Bryan Lee, la arpista Guadalupe Pérez y el tecladista que tocó el piano y la celesta (no nombrado en el programa pero estuvo excelente!).  También tuvimos una fabulosa ejecución del xilófono (tantas notas lúcidas que se repetían en consonancia con los violines y las flautas), así como un soberbio final con el tímpano y el tambor bajo en perfecta sincronía con de la Parra (en los ensayos fue igualmente excitante ver cómo se perfeccionó eso!).

  El público se puso de pié al final del programa y, después de la reverencia por de la Parra y su aceptación de flores, los miembros de la orquesta no se levantaron con la solicitud de Alondra para en lugar aplaudirle a su Director Artístico en conjunto con el público.

  No puedo expresar suficientemente lo encantador que estuvo este concierto y la maravillosa música que emanó del mismo. Sala de primera: palomita. Director de orquesta fuera de este mundo: palomita. Orquesta deseosa de colaborar: palomita.  Público energizado: palomita.  Esa es la receta para un gran entretenimiento y el éxito de la Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco y de Guadalajara. Bravissimo!

  Este programa se repite este domingo en la tarde a las 12:30 y parece que está totalmente vendido, pero vale la pena checar en taquilla por hay algunas cancelaciones – y asegurarse de comprar boletos para los siguientes conciertos en www.ofj.com.mx

Traducción por Luis Catán

Orchestra on the rise

There's a great saying about the sum being more than its parts - which isn't necessarily true for all orchestras, but add the new Artist Director Alondra de la Parra to the Orquesta Filarmonica de Jalisco and not only do things multiply exponentially, they electrify!
I heard the Programa 6 on Friday, July 13 in the beautiful Teatro Degollado. Silvestre Revueltas' Sensemaya opened the all orchestra program. This work can be terrifying and hypontic, and the OFJ was up to the task. It's colorful and inventive, I don't know why it doesn't appear on more programs than it does...kudos to Tomas Rosaleny who nailed the tuba solo and the excellent work of the percussion section which was crisp.
Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty was next on the sold out program (yes, three days before the show, you could not find tickets!) There may not be anything more beautiful than de la Parra on the podium - it is quite poetic that this young leader gives her orchestra just what they need in terms of rhythm, and at the very same time, gives the audience a breathtaking show. For Tchaikovsky's five movement suite, it ran the gamut of toe tapping waltzes to introspective scenes, best heard in the popular Valse of Act I.

Alondra de la Parra in Shostakovich

After a short intermission, the program finished with Dmitri Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony - one of the all time dramatic and wellcrafted orchestra works, playing with two notes, "bah bum" and the reverse "bum bah" through all four movements. Perhaps Friday the 13th struck some in this performance, with a complete left field solo from the principal horn that was clearly off (which had not improved from the open rehearsal in the morning, sad.) and a flying baton from de la Parra that landed in the violas (I've seen that happen lots to conductors, but never have I seen them have a backup baton - she did, and continued without a blink!) Other than that, Shostakovich would have rejoiced in brisk tempos, fiery lines and geniune excitement of this performance. Especially touching were solos from concertmaster Bryan Lee, harpist Guadalupe Perez, and the keyboardist playing piano and celesta (not named in the program, but she was spot on!) There was also delightful, bone chilling percussion work from the xylophone (so many great repeated notes right along with the violins and flutes) as well as the stunning finale with timpani and bass drum in perfect sync with de la Parra (in rehearsal it was equally exciting to see this be put together!)

The audience was on its feet and after solo bows, de la Parra was presented flowers and as orchestras can do, refused to stand when Alondra motioned, allowing their Artistic Director warm applause from the audience and them.

I cannot express enough how delightful this concert was, and what music making was shared. World class hall, check. Out of this world conductor, check. Orchestra willing to work, check. Excited audience, check. This is the recipe for great entertainment and success for the OFJ and Guadalajara.

Bravissimo!
This program repeats Sunday afternoon at 12:30, and was reported sold out, but I would check at the box office for any cancellations, and be sure to get season tickets for the next concerts at http://www.ofj.com.mx/

Lea esta revisión en español: http://classicallyhip.blogspot.com/2012/07/orquesta-en-ascenso.html

Top Ten Composers needing healthcare

Today's decision makes me think of composers and healthcare, so here goes a Top Ten list of who might have benefited from better healthcare in their day!

10. Robert Schumann
9. Frederic Chopin
8. Ludwig van Beethoven
7. Lili Boulanger
6. Bedrich Smetana
5. Hugo Wolf
4. Alban Berg
3. Vincenzo Bellini
2. Giovanni Pergolesi
and the number one composer who needed better healthcare is...
1. Jean Baptiste Lully

Out of this world

Tom Servo

I was reading this morning some great things on the net, and thought you might be interested too!

There is a great new exhibit up in London, about the solar system. It also focuses on the orchestra, with insights from Esa-Pekka Salonen!

There is also a great article on the sound of the universe from Tom Service here.  Of course, that author's name made me think of one of my favorite MST3K characters (seen right)!

Right now, San Antonio young musicians are on tour in London, you can read about their adventures here, complete with photos and video!

Besides Holst, there is actual sound from Saturn:

Caregiving

Caregivers gathered in San Antonio today to tackle issues faced nationwide by those caring for our nation’s wounded, ill or injured. The 3rd annual USO Caregivers Conference, brought together spouses, moms, dads, brothers, sisters and loved ones caring for wounded, ill and injured troops from the San Antonio area as well as national experts to address topics such as communicating with your loved one after injury, helping children cope with reintegration and rehabilitation, making marriage work after the battlefield and accessing military caregiver benefits.
Attendees were asked to share the joys and the challenges associated with being a caregiver. They also participated in various exercises like communicating with only numbers, and stress-busting breathing techniques. “You as a caregiver are an integral part of our soldier’s success. They can’t succeed if you can’t take care of yourself,” said LTC Brian Almquist, Commander, Warrior Transition Battalion, Brooke Army Medical Center. Ed and Karen Matayaka knew first-hand what everyone in the room was going through. They were both deployed to Afghanistan last summer where Ed was severely wounded after being struck by an IED. “I had to go from being a soldier to caregiver as well as a spouse. That’s a really hard transition and it’s also very hard for the warrior to allow that to happen,” said Karen. “I’m not back to a normal life yet. It never goes back to being normal,” said Ed. “That line in the sand is gone. Now, the struggle for us is finding out what the new normal is.” “We interject laughter into every situation in life,” said Karen. “There is nothing you can’t laugh at,” continued Ed.
Mike Martinez traveled from El Paso to participate in today’s conference. As a spokesperson for soldiers living with PTS, Martinez was featured in the USO’s Spanish PSA “Portraits” educating Americans about the invisible wounds of war. Speaking to CNN in March Martinez said: “I tell my brothers that are still serving, don’t let pride get in the way. Pride’s going to kill you. Take that warrior mask off and if you need to, get help. Get it in the beginning stages, and not later.” Award winning children’s author and entertainer Trevor Romain worked with local caregiver couple Shilo and Kathreyn Harris to answer the participant’s questions about raising children when one parent suffers from invisible or visible wounds. “I didn’t have answers for her (daughter Elizabeth),” said Kathreyn. There are some days we still don’t have the answers. We listen to her. We validate her. It’s OK to have these feelings. It is OK to be mad, scared, frustrated.”
The conference was free and open to caregivers, wounded service men and women and military medical personnel from the local San Antonio area. Five scholarships were also provided to those living outside San Antonio. A resounding theme throughout the day was said best by Gabriele Dias, Ft. Sam Houston Soldier Family Assistance Center (SFAC) Director: “Learn something about yourself…because if you can’t take care of yourself then you don’t have anything left for anybody else.”
-from a press release

War Requiem

I fell in love with Britten's powerful War Requiem while in college. I remember listening to an lp with the score - and not long after, watching a laserdisc of a filmed version:

Now, you can browse Britten's notebook on the work: http://www.brittenpears.org/page.php?pageid=773

Mariachi at TPR Presents Itinerarios

Reax to cancellation

My reaction to the SA Symphony's announcement on this weekend's guest conductor:

Great reason to walk!

The Audie L. Murphy Division of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System is hosting a 2K walk and roll May 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in support of employee wellness month. The event also encourages employee and local community support of homeless Veterans and will take place at the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio track, located in front of the Spectrum Athletic Center at the corner of Babcock and Merton Minter.
VA's employee wellness program, known as WIN (Wellness Is Now), empowers employees with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to create a culture of health and wellness. Further, the group encourages employees to use their appreciation of wellness to inspire Veterans to live healthier lifestyles.
While there is no registration fee for the VA2K, employees and volunteers participating in the event are asked to donate to support homeless Veterans. Participation is open to the community, donations are optional and participants who wish to donate are asked to provide gift cards, phone cards, and cash to help support the homeless Veteran community.

SA Symphony players want a contract

Help the SA Symphony

It is a great challenge given to the San Antonio Symphony, to levy $25,000 by the Symphony League when an additional $25,000 is raised. You can make a secure donation by going here: http://www.sasymphony.org/donation-page/ or by calling Emily Brandesky in the Symphony office at (210) 554-1052.
The deadline for the symphony to raise $25,000 is May 31st! Make your contribution now, and let's meet and EXCEED this goal!

In the Fall of 1950, a group of symphony supporters organized The Women’s Committee of the San Antonio Symphony with Mrs. Henry Catto as founding president. In the Spring of 1979, the Women’s Committee of the San Antonio Symphony changed its name to The San Antonio Symphony League. In 1966, The Junior Committee of the San Antonio Symphony was organized for women under the age of 40. After 25 years, in the Spring of 1991, the Junior Committee merged with the San Antonio Symphony League to create a stronger circle of support for the Orchestra. In 2004, the San Antonio Symphony League became a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization, incorporated, allowing fundraising to have a greater financial impact for the Symphony. Since its inception, this organization has directed its energies toward service, educational efforts and financial support of the San Antonio Symphony. Today the San Antonio Symphony League proudly continues in the dedication and traditions set forth by its founders. The San Antonio Symphony League encourages a diverse membership which reflects and appreciates the rich multi-cultural heritage of San Antonio. For more information, please contact the Vice President for Membership Agnes Lowe at (210) 216-0729. There is more information about the group here: http://www.sasymphony.org/category/donate/symphony-leaguevolunteers/

Barry Douglas after our interview

Mozart from the keyboard

This weekend the SA Symphony has a conductor who is a pianist - and will play Mozart's powerful and dark d minor concerto. Here is one of my favorite versions with Philippe Entremont leading the Vienna Chamber Orchestra at a rehearsal:

Preconcert talk with John Harbison and Tully Potter

Tully Potter speaking about 100 years of Pro Arte Quartet

Fiesta!

The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) will host the annual motorcycle rally “Fiesta de los Veteranos” in conjunction with the 12th Annual “To Hell and Back” Biker Run, Saturday, April 21, 2012, noon – 4 p.m. This is a Fiesta sanctioned event in support of our Warrior Veterans. With the support of the local community the event will be a resounding success for our Veterans. Our motorcycle rally and “Warrior Veteran Block Party” proceeds benefit the STVHCS VA Fisher House. The celebration will include live music, food booths, and fun family activities (moon bounces/face painting). Anyone who wants to participate in the motorcycle rally can get further information by contacting the Voluntary Service office at (210) 617-5107, via email at STXVOLSVC@va.gov, or find the event on our website at: www.southtexas.va.gov/calendar.asp. The public is invited to attend this free admission and free parking Fiesta event which will the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, located at 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, Texas, 78229-4404. Come join us with your friends and family for great food, music and family fun, but most of all to give a heartfelt thanks and show of appreciation to our nation’s Warrior Veterans.