Happy 125

KEITH LOCKHART AND BOSTON POPS CELEBRATE ORCHESTRA'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON, MAY 4 - JUNE 20, 2010

Today, Friday, February 19, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops announce details of the orchestra’s 125th anniversary season, May 4-June 20, 2010, outlining programs that celebrate the orchestra’s rich tradition of performing the great music of this country’s past and present, for which the Boston Pops is so well known. Season details are also available at www.bostonpops.org TICKETS FOR THE 125TH BOSTON POPS SEASON, PRICED FROM $20-$99, GO ON SALE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, THROUGH BOSTONPOPS.ORG OR BY CALLING 888-266-1200.

SEASON OVERVIEW
The 125th season opens on May 4 with a gala concert featuring multiple Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel and the inimitable Doc Severinsen, who holds the distinction of having performed under the batons of Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart—a perfect addition to a program honoring the leadership legacies of the three most famous Boston Pops conductors. During the season the Pops will present the world premiere of a new work in honor of the Kennedy brothers, mark the 10th anniversary of the popular radio and TV show “From the Top,” focus on esteemed artists from the fields of jazz, musical theater, and pop, including Dave Brubeck, Kelli O’Hara, and Maureen McGovern, and honor the legacies of such musical titans as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Daniel Bernard Roumain, who in concert melds his classical music roots with his own Haitian-American cultural references and vibrant musical imagination, and Ozomatli, the multi-Grammy award-winning, genre-defying sensation, join the orchestra for programs that continue the Pops tradition of focusing on the best and brightest new talent on the musical scene today. Returning to the Pops schedule is the legendary film music series under the direction of John Williams, this year marking his 30th anniversary with the Pops, and one of the newest Pops traditions, Gospel Night with Charles Floyd. To bring the 125th season to a close in June, the Boston Pops will present one of this country’s greatest living legends—the incomparable Arlo Guthrie. A complete program listing appears at the end of this press release.
Photos, video, artist bios, and a Boston Pops 125 timeline and history are available at www.bostonpops.org/presskit.
WHAT FOLLOWS ARE SECTIONS ON SPECIAL EVENTS AND INITIATIVES; WEEKLY PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS; DETAILED TICKET INFORMATION; A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ORCHESTRA; AND A CONCERT LISTING.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE 125th BOSTON POPS SEASON

WORLD PREMIERE OF KENNEDY BROTHERS TRIBUTE, MAY 18
On May 18, Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and several celebrity narrators will perform the world premiere of “The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers,” honoring Massachusetts native sons John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy. Written by Peter Boyer, composer of Ellis Island, which many rank as one of the most successful large-scale American orchestral works of the last decade, and Lynn Ahrens, lyricist of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Ragtime, “The Dream Lives On” pays tribute to the call to public service, drive for social change, and the legacy of optimism for America’s future, a spirit epitomized by the Kennedy brothers. This new piece will feature four narrators: three male voices representing the three Kennedy brothers and a female voice for the portions of the narration that are not quotes. The new work will also be featured in concert on May 19, 20, 21, and 22. With these performances, the Boston Pops also marks the 40th anniversary of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. BOSTON POPS 125th TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY TO AIR ON PBS IN SPRING
A Boston Pops 125th documentary, to air nationally on PBS this spring (further details about broadcast dates to be announced at a later date), will highlight the Pops as an intrinsic part of this country's musical heritage by celebrating its past, present, and future. The tribute recalls how Arthur Fiedler (1930-79) created the modern-day Pops, establishing the orchestra as a national icon and introducing innovations that continue today. The program will also reflect on how Conductor Laureate John Williams (1980-1993) and present-day conductor Keith Lockhart (1995 to present) have shepherded the orchestra through three decades of change in the world of music. The Boston Pops 125th documentary was made possible by a grant from the Mugar Foundation.

This special program will feature interviews and/or performances by Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Vanessa Williams, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Sarah Vaughan, and Roberta Flack. Rare footage of favorite artists past and present, including Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Sammy Davis, Jr., John Raitt, k.d. lang, Patti LaBelle, and Elvis Costello, as well as Broadway stars Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, and Jerry Herman will also be featured. The program is being produced by longtime Evening at Pops producer, Susan Dangel.
NATIONAL CONTEST FOR FAMILY OF FOUR TO ATTEND BOSTON'S 2010 4TH OF JULY CONCERT USES FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND TEXT MESSAGING TO DETERMINE WINNER
The Boston Pops is also announcing a national contest to bring a family of four to Boston for the Boston Pops' Fourth-of-July concert on the Charles River Esplanade, with airfare, hotel and ground transportation to and from Logan Airport provided by the travel partners of the Boston Pops: American Airlines, The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, and Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation. Contestants must submit a 125-character-or-less message describing why the Pops should choose their family for a trip to Boston's famous July 4 celebration this year. Entries can be submitted via text message by cell phone, on the Pops Facebook and Twitter pages, or on the Boston Pops website. All submissions are due by May 15. For more information about this contest, please visit www.bostonpops.org/125.
SPECIAL 125TH ANNIVERSARY EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH KEITH LOCKHART AND DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN
[DBR will be in San Antonio the end of February @ the Carver Center!]
The Boston Pops will present a special 125th anniversary education program at three area schools to bring music into the classroom by creating connections between music and the lives of today's students. The program, headed by Keith Lockhart, joined by composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain and members of the Boston Pops in performance, will feature in school lecture-demonstrations, and provide students the opportunity to attend live performances at Symphony Hall. To accompany the in-school program and reach out to other kids, the Pops will create an online, interactive feature as part of this new initiative. The details will be announced in the spring.
FIDELITY FUTURE STAGE MUSIC COMPETITION, MAY 26
Following the phenomenal success of its launch in 2009, Fidelity FutureStage at the Boston Pops returns to Symphony Hall in 2010. Developed by Fidelity Investments to expand its long-standing support of the arts through music and other arts education programs in local communities, the Fidelity FutureStage at the Boston Pops Music Competition is open to full time students grades 9-12 attending any public high school in Boston or Cambridge. Up to four instrumental and/or vocal grand prize winners will be selected to perform at a special Boston Pops Concert on May 26 at Symphony Hall. Applications for the 2010 music competition are now available and will be accepted through March 26, 2010. For more information and application details, visit www.bostonpops.org or www.futurestage.com.
125 WEB INITIATIVES AND WEEKLY WGBH CONCERTS
BostonPops.org celebrates the Pops 125th anniversary season with an interactive timeline of the Pops and its history and a weekly series of Pops video podcasts throughout the season. Highlights will include details about the Pops inception by civil war veteran and Boston Symphony Orchestra founder Henry Lee Higginson; its explosion into the public awareness during the 50-year tenure of the charismatic maestro Arthur Fiedler; its Hollywood partnerships under the baton of John Williams; and its continuing evolution under the leadership of Keith Lockhart, all of which will be illustrated in a colorful, interactive interface with historic and current day images. The site will also feature weekly video podcasts throughout the 125th season, each taking a closer look at the week's programming with interviews with Keith Lockhart and special guest artists. The Boston Pops is online at bostonpops.org, part of bso.org, the largest and most visited orchestra site in the world, receiving more than 7.5 million visitors annually.

In addition, WGBH's 99.5 All Classical station will air weekly Saturday-evening Boston Pops broadcasts throughout the season, May 4-June 20.
CONCERTS IN THE PARKS AND SHOPS AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER CELEBRATES BOSTON POPS’ 125TH
Boston's Shops at Prudential Center will mark the Boston Pops' 125th anniversary with an archival exhibit at the Huntington Avenue Arcade, starting in mid-April for three weeks. The focal point of this special display will be a Boston Pops 125 timeline that will give viewers a look into the orchestra's storied history and the many accomplishments that collectively have made the Boston Pops one of Boston's and the country's most treasured traditions. Photos and video of past and present times, along with archival materials including old album covers, programs, and menus, as well as special features on Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart, are just a few of the highlights of this 125th exhibit.
Performing ensembles made up of members of the Boston Pops will present a series of parks concerts, bringing their music to communities throughout the Greater Boston area.
PRESIDENTS AT POPS GALA CELEBRATES 125TH, MAY 19
In honor of the Pops 125th Anniversary, the annual Presidents at Pops fundraising event, now in its 29th year, will present a program marking this landmark year for the Pops. The evening will begin with a pre-concert celebratory reception in festively decorated Symphony Hall. The evening's program, including a performance of the Pops' new work, “The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers,” honoring Massachusetts native sons John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy, will pay special homage to the history of the orchestra by highlighting the unique contributions of the Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart eras, with special guests joining the orchestra for this anniversary celebration. Although tickets to this event have traditionally been available exclusively to the Boston business community, individual tickets and special ticket packages will be offered to the general public. Further details about this gala fund raiser will be announced at a later date.

BOSTON POPS 125TH SEASON PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS WEEK BY WEEK, MAY4-JUNE 20
WEEK ONE, MAY 4-8
OPENING NIGHT, MAY 4
Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops in a concert that celebrates the 125-year storied history of the Boston Pops in a three-part program that showcases the Pops—past, present, and future—starting with the modern-day Pops, ushered in by Arthur Fiedler starting in the 1930s. The program begins with an exploration of the legacy of Arthur Fiedler and how he put the Pops on the musical map, highlighted by a performance of George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue” by pianist Michael Chertock. The program continues with musical selections that consider the singular contributions of conductor/composer John Williams, with a special focus on the great film scores he brought to the Pops. An appearance by the inimitable Doc Severinsen, former band leader of “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and one of the few artists to have performed with Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and Keith Lockhart, will also be featured. For the final portion of the program, Keith Lockhart presents musical selections that highlight the orchestra's present-day accomplishments, while also providing a lighthearted glimpse into the Pops' future and imagining what might be in store down the road for this great orchestra. This portion of the program will feature multiple Tony Award-winning actress and vocalist Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked) who will sing her Broadway hits and a selection from her new CD “I Stand.”

IDINA MENZEL, MAY 5 AND 6, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
Broadway powerhouse Idina Menzel – the multiple Tony Award-winning singer/actress who played "Elphaba" in the international blockbuster Wicked – joins Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for two nights this spring, May 5 and 6. Idina Menzel, considered one of the great vocal performers of our time, with a repertoire that focuses largely on classic pop and musical theater favorites, will sing hits from Wicked and Rent, as well as songs from her album "I Stand." Recently in the news, Ms. Menzel will be featured on the popular FOX TV show "Glee!" this spring.
OZOMATLI, MAY 7 AND 8, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
Winners of multiple Grammy Awards, Ozomatli perform a genre-defying blend of Latin, hip hop, rap, funk, and rock. The group is well known for going beyond the bounds of the usual performance space, playing in the aisles, and creating a party atmosphere that adds both fun and excitement to all their performances. These performances by Ozomatli continue the Pops tradition of bringing the best and brightest new talent on today's music scene to the Boston Pops stage.
Ozomatli, designated U.S. Cultural Ambassadors, have showcased their unique sound in appearances on TV's Sex and the City, Dancing with the Stars, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and in the Drew Barrymore film Never Been Kissed as well as in concerts at Coachella, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Berkshire Music Festival, and on tour as the opening act for Carlos Santana.
WEEK TWO, MAY 11-15
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD, MAY 11-15, JOHN WILLIAMS CONDUCTING
John Williams, the highly acclaimed composer and conductor behind blockbuster films including Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Harry Potter series, brings audiences a night showcasing some of the most memorable movie music of all time. Currently Boston Pops Conductor Laureate and celebrating his 30th anniversary with the Pops, John Williams served as Boston Pops Conductor from 1980-1993. The May 15 performance is SOLD OUT.
When John Williams succeeded Arthur Fiedler in 1980, he was the most highly acclaimed composer in Hollywood, and today, with 45 Academy Award nominations, he is the most-nominated living person in Academy history. With the Pops, John continued the orchestra's prolific recording tradition and entertained audiences with live orchestral accompaniment to some of the great film clips of the 20th and 21st centuries. He brought in the great arrangers of the day to produce new and exclusive Boston Pops arrangements of American songbook classics and legendary hits of the jazz, swing, and big band eras. And he brought a bit of Hollywood to the Pops stage, with special appearances by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Frank Langella, not to mention Darth Vader, R2D2, and C3PO.

WEEK THREE, MAY 18-22
WORLD PREMIERE IN TRIBUTE TO THE KENNEDY BROTHERS, AND DISPLAY OF 9/11 FLAG, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
“American Heroes” concerts celebrate the legacy of many of our great nation's leaders, servicemen, and everyday citizens, whose lives and principles are forever woven into the fabric of American history. The program features the world premiere performances of “The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers,” honoring Massachusetts native sons John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy. Written by Peter Boyer, and Lynn Ahrens, the new work pays tribute to the call to public service, drive for social change, and the legacy of optimism for America's future, a spirit epitomized by the Kennedy brothers. With these performances, the Boston Pops also marks the 40th anniversary of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
These concerts also feature a very special Star-Spangled Banner, The National 9/11 Flag – the flag that was hanging before, during, and after the attacks across from the South Tower – accompanied by members of the New York and Boston Fire Departments, as well as volunteers who travel to disaster areas to help rebuild in a mission to “Pay It Forward.” The flag presentation includes a preview of a feature-length documentary film by Scott Rettberg and Megan Sleeper, called “New York Says Thank You,” which will make its world premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. The presence of the 9/11 Flag is an especially appropriate accompaniment to these Boston Pops concerts premiering “The Dream Lives On,” as President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which for the first time officially recognized September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Also, in the aftermath of 9/11 Senator Kennedy personally called the 177 Massachusetts families who had lost loved ones in the attack.
The May 19 program is the annual Presidents at Pops gala, described earlier in the release. The May 18 and 20 performances are SOLD OUT.
Peter Boyer is one of the most celebrated young composers working today. His work has been commissioned and performed by more than 80 orchestras worldwide including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Dallas Symphony. In addition to his work for the concert hall, Boyer is an active film and television arranger and has twice arranged and orchestrated music for the Academy Awards. His . His Grammy-nominated work Ellis Island : The Dream of America, which premiered in 2002, was broadcast on NPR's SymphonyCast and recorded with actors including Barry Bostwick, Blair Brown Olympia Dukakis and Eli Wallach.
Writer and lyricist Lynn Ahrens began her career writing songs for "Schoolhouse Rock." In her longtime partnership with composer Stephen Flaherty, she's enjoyed tremendous Broadway success with shows including Once on this Island, Dessa Rose, Seussical the Musical, and Ragtime for which Ahrens won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. The pair also collaborated on the animated movie Anastasia. Her songs have been recorded and/or performed by Aretha Franklin, Aaliyah, Johnny Mathis, Richard Marx and Donna Lewis, Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel, Donny Osmond, Deana Carter, Audra McDonald, and many others.
WEEK FOUR, MAY 25-29
AN EVENING WITH MAUREEN MCGOVERN MAY 25, 26, AND 27, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
Maureen McGovern, one of America's most popular vocalists, performs a concert that features songs from her newest album, A Long and Winding Road, celebrating the music that inspired her beginnings as a singer in the late '60s. The album features an eclectic mix of songs from such groundbreaking singer-songwriters as Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Carole King, and Paul McCartney, including “The Times They Are a-Changin',” “The 59th Street Bridge Song,” “Fire and Rain,” and “Let It Be.” The May 27 performance is SOLD OUT. The May 26 concert will feature on-stage performances by the winners of the Fidelity FutureStage Music Competition.
Maureen McGovern burst onto the music scene in the early 1970s and quickly became known for her hit theme songs to The Poseidon Adventure,The Towering Inferno, and Gold, and later for her appearance as Sister Angelina, the singing nun, in the 1980 disaster movie spoof Airplane. Ms. McGovern has also been acclaimed for her success on the Broadway stage, with roles in The Pirates of Penzance, Nine, Three Penny Opera, and most recently as Marmee in Little Women. Her CD, "A Long and Winding Road," was released in 2009 and is a tribute to the music of her baby boomer childhood.
RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE, MAY 28 AND 29, ROBERT BERNHARDT CONDUCTING
The legendary Ray Charles set the standard for greatness during a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades. This Boston Pops concert, under the direction of Robert Bernhardt, features Ray Charles's protégé Ellis Hall singing hits including “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack,” and “Unchain My Heart.” The May 28 performance is SOLD OUT.
The first and only artist signed to Crossover Records, the record label formed by his mentor Ray Charles, Ellis Hall is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist (piano, bass, drums, and guitar) and singer who has performed and recorded with many musical giants including Patti LaBelle, John Mayer, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, the Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire, the Spinners, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, James Taylor, and Stevie Wonder, as well as Ray Charles himself. Hall was featured as the lead vocalist for Kenny G on his debut hit single "What Does it Take," was lead vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer for the group Tower of Power, and enjoyed tremendous acclaim as a member of the multi-platinum group the California Raisins. Conductor Robert Bernardt has been described in the press as having a "high energy conducting style and easy stage presence." A frequent guest on the Boston Pops podium, Bernhardt serves as music director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and principal pops conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. He has performed with artists from all arenas of the musical world including Ray Charles, Wynona Judd, Ben Folds, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and PDQ Bach.
WEEK FIVE, JUNE 1-5
AN EVENING WITH DAVE BRUBECK, JUNE 1 AND 2, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
A Library of Congress “Living Legend,” 90-year-old pianist Dave Brubeck and his acclaimed quartet perform orchestral arrangements of “In Your Own Sweet Way,” “A Salute to The Count – The Basie Band Is Back in Town,” “Unsquare Dance,” and “The Duke.” The program also features a special nod to the fiftieth anniversary of the chart-topping “Take Five,” performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out, which remains one of the best known jazz standards ever.
2009 Kennedy Center honoree Dave Brubeck’s signature innovative rhythms and unusual time signatures have made him one of the most popular jazz musicians of all time. The Dave Brubeck Quartet has been performing to sell-out audiences since their first crossover hit "Take Five" was released over fifty years ago.
A TRIBUTE TO DUKE ELLINGTON, JUNE 3, 4, AND 5, JEFF TYZIK CONDUCTING
The Pops and jazz vocalist Dee Daniels pay homage to Duke Ellington, one of the most influential figures in American music. Duke Ellington, who recorded with Arthur Fiedler and the Pops, wrote over 3,000 songs during his lifetime, but is best known for “It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Mood Indigo,” “Solitude,” and “Satin Doll,” all of which will be performed by the Boston Pops. The June 3 performance is SOLD OUT.
Known for her powerful four-octave voice, jazz vocalist Dee Daniels has performed with some of the R&B, gospel, blues, and jazz world's best-known musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Lionel Hampton, Bill Charlap, and Toots Thielemans. She has also performed in solo concerts with symphony orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. Considered "one of the best pops conductors in America," Jeff Tyzik, principal pops conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, is known for his creative arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences.
WEEK SIX, JUNE 8-12
FROM THE TOP JUNE 8, WITH CHRISTOPHER O'RILEY, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
For the past decade, “From the Top” has been the preeminent showcase for America's best young musicians through its weekly NPR radio series and its recent television show on PBS. The Boston Pops celebrates the 10th anniversary of this successful program with a concert featuring young musicians from Boston and across the country, who join Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for a live taping of the popular radio program, this time with acoustically acclaimed Symphony Hall serving as backdrop. Renowned pianist Christopher O'Riley, who shares a special rapport with the musicians, will serve in his role as program host.

AN EVENING OF COLE PORTER WITH BROADWAY STAR KELLI O'HARA, JUNE 9-11, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
Spotlighting the extraordinary talents of Broadway star Kelli O'Hara, these programs pay special tribute to legendary composer/songwriter Cole Porter, one of the best-known contributors to the Great American Songbook. Vocal Fellows from the Tanglewood Music Center, the Boston Symphony's prestigious summer music academy for young professional musicians, will also be featured in this program, to include such Cole Porter hits as “I've Got You Under My Skin,” “In the Still of the Night,” “Love for Sale,” “Night and Day,” and “Don't Fence Me In,” as well as favorites from the Tony award-winning musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate.
Kelli O'Hara recently starred on Broadway as Nellie Forbush in the Tony Award-winning revival of South Pacific. She has also appeared on Broadway in A Light in the Piazza, for which she was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk awards, The Sweet Smell of Success opposite John Lithgow, and with Harry Connick, Jr., in The Pajama Game.
GOSPEL NIGHT, JUNE 12, CHARLES FLOYD CONDUCTING
Conductor Charles Floyd, special guests, and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir, bring thrilling performances of the some of America's best contemporary Gospel music to Symphony Hall. The passion, delight, and sense of celebration that these programs have consistently evoked, have made them one of the highlights of every Pops season.
In January 2009, Charles Floyd conducted the HBO pre-inaugural concert “We Are One” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for President Barack Obama. Leader of the beloved Gospel Night at Pops since 1993, Charles Floyd has worked with orchestras throughout the country and world and enjoyed an eleven-year tenure as music director for singer Natalie Cole. Projects with Ms. Cole have included the multiple Grammy Award-winning tribute to Nat King Cole entitled Unforgettable, With Love, the Emmy Award-winning PBS Great Performances concert video of the same title, as well as the Grammy-winning releases Take a Look and Stardust. Charles Floyd has created arrangements and orchestrations for wide variety of artists, including Sting, Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Grace Bumbry, James Taylor, Yolanda Adams, Mark O'Conner, k.d. lang, Stevie Wonder, and Wynona Judd.
WEEK SEVEN, JUNE 15-20
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN JUNE 15 AND 16, EMIL DECOU CONDUCTING
Re-mastered clips from the great movie musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein come together with the films' original vocals and a live orchestra soundtrack by the Boston Pops for this inventive program honoring two of America's most revered musical theater figures. Prime-time anchor of Turner Classic Movies television network Robert Osborne hosts the evening of memorable scenes from classic films such as Oklahoma! and Carousel, both starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, South Pacific starring Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi, The King and I starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, and The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Audiences will hear these iconic performances of the past reinvigorated by the presence of full orchestral sound.
Dynamic American conductor Emil DeCou serves as the associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra and as the NSO @ Wolf Trap festival conductor. He has conducted orchestras throughout the country, most recently, at the request of soloist Renée Fleming, leading a performance with the Colorado Symphony and the NSO's traditional Labor Day performance on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Turner Classic Movies network's Robert Osborne hosts four primetime movies each night on the network, was a longtime columnist for the Hollywood Reporter, and is the author of the book 80 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards, released in 2008.
THE WORLD OF ARLO GUTHRIE, JUNE 17 AND JUNE 18, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
Folk music icon and legendary artist Arlo Guthrie will be featured in performances of the unforgettable classics so long associated with the Guthrie Family legacy. With his singular voice as both a singer-songwriter, story teller, and social commentator, Guthrie will also share timeless stories that have captivated and entertained audiences over many decades. The evening will also feature the Boston Pops debut of the ground-breaking string trio Time for Three, who will perform the Boston premiere of a new work, “Travel in Time for Three,” by Chris Brubeck.
Singer, songwriter, social commentator, and folk music icon Arlo Guthrie has been performing for more than four decades and has a fan base that spans the globe. Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant," "City of New Orleans" and "The Motorcycle Song," along with his memorable appearance at 1969's Woodstock Festival, have made him a household name. Guthrie has previously joined the Pops at Symphony Hall in a concert that was broadcast on Evening at Pops and on the Esplanade for the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular in 2001. String trio Time for Three, whose music melds elements of classical, country western, gypsy, and jazz to create a sound all their own, have performed with artists ranging from the Philadelphia Orchestra to k.d. lang. Chris Brubeck began performing with his father, the legendary Dave Brubeck in the 1970s. Having distinguished himself as an innovative jazz and rock performer on the bass, trombone, piano and guitar, he has recently earned international acclaim as a composer.
FATHER'S DAY FAMILY CONCERT WITH DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN, JUNE 20 3PM, KEITH LOCKHART CONDUCTING
This special Father's Day concert features the Boston Pops debut of Haitian-American artist Daniel Bernard Roumain, the innovative composer, performer, violinist, and bandleader, who melds his classical music roots with his own cultural references and vibrant musical imagination. Mr. Roumain is composing a new work for six string violin and orchestra to receive its world premiere at the June 20 concert. This interactive program will feature two of the most beloved classic works written for children: the timeless tale Peter and the Wolf and the whimsical suite Carnival of the Animals. In a dynamic collaboration with the Underground Railway Theater of Cambridge, young members of the audience will participate in the performance using movement and puppetry. The program will also include some of the iconic film score themes of John Williams.
As a composer, Daniel Bernard Roumain has written works that range from orchestral scores and chamber pieces to music for film, theater, modern dance, and electronica. He has been spotlighted as a "New face of classical music" by Esquire Magazine, served as assistant composer-in-residence at the Orchestra of St. Luke's and music director of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and recently collaborated and performed with Lady Gaga on FOX's American Idol. Underground Railway Theater works to create dynamic connections between high-quality professional theater and community. Combining actors, puppets and music, URT presents theater of social content and great visual beauty— theater that challenges and delights, informs and celebrates.
TICKET AND SPONSORHIP INFORMATION
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the 2010 Boston Pops season at Symphony Hall, priced from $20-$99, go on sale at 10 a.m. on February 22. All performances start at 8 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday Family Concert at 3 p.m. on June 20. Tickets for “Opening Night at Pops” on May 4 are priced from $40 to $119.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with a $5.50 handling fee for each ticket ordered online or by phone). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony Hall box office, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday from 1 p.m. through the first concert intermission on concert dates. Most major credit cards and cash are accepted at the box office. For Group Sales of 25 or more, please call 617-638-9345 or 800-933-4255.
Tickets to the gala fund raiser, Presidents at Pops, on May 18, start at $500, with some options including tickets to an exclusive Boat Cruise and Esplanade Concert on July 3, as well an additional Pops 125 event to be announced soon. For further information, call 617-638-9466.
The Boston Symphony has a dedicated line for disabled patrons who would like to purchase tickets to BSO, Boston Pops, or Tanglewood concerts, or who need information about disability services at Symphony Hall or Tanglewood. This line can be reached by dialing 617-638-9431. For access via TDD/TTY, please call 617-638-9289. Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue or through the Massachusetts Avenue entrance.

Spend your summer

I hope you will consider coming and seeing a concert or two at the West Branch Music Festival this July!

If you are a musician, I would also ask that you take a look at the roster and recommend your students to apply for some amazing training with some of the world's great music makers! Check it out for yourself!

Wishing them well

Here's to the SA Symphony and Sebastian Lang-Lessing on four good years together.

Sunny SA

Take a look at the blue sky! I enjoy showing off where I live, and San Antonio is one of the most popular places I have lived, judging how many friends have come to visit!

Monday

Rehearsal was great this morning, piano had arrived before we did, and the coffee place next to the gallery is just amazing.

At lunch, we were talking about movies, etc and our waiter joined in, knowing the movie Stepbrothers. It was hilarious.

Delighted about the press SOLI is getting, and excited about the concerts coming up. Watch for video soon!

Show of shows

I'm particularly happy with today's show on KPAC called Classical Spotlight, take a listen if you like! Featured are Aaron Jay Kernis, Star Wars and More, plus interviews on baroque music, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet.
MP3 file

Interview

I had a lovely chat with one of the great pianists of our day, Imogen Cooper. She has just released volume 2 of live performances of Schubert piano works, and later this year volume 3 will come out.

She took some time to talk about the project and Schubert.

MP3 File

This will be produced for TPR, but I wanted to share her brilliant manner with you unedited and raw. I came away energized and inspired.

Voices of Change

I caught Soundings Margaret Brouwer yesterday in Dallas. It was delightful, a wine tasting paired with a solo flute piece. Voices of Change perform tonight - catch it if you can!

(left is Brouwer, on the right is composer Xi Wang)

NY Concerts

You might be interested in these if you're in NYC or going to be visiting!

January 17th, 3pm $40 ($35 senior, $20 student)
Bargemusic
2 Cadman Plaza West At the Fulton Ferry Landing
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 624-2083

Bach and Enescu Program:
Selections from the Art of Fugue J. S. Bach
Sarabande for solo violin Enescu
Airs in Romanian Folk Style Enescu
Sonata No. 3 "Dans le caractere populaire roumain" Enescu
Piano Quintet Op. 29 Enescu

AND

January 21st 8pm
Paul Recital Hall, The Juilliard School, NY NY
Paul Recital Hall is located on 65th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.

Program:
Airs in Romanian Folkstlye for Solo Violin (circa 1926)
Sonata for violin and Piano No.3 Op.25 (1926)
"Dans le caractere populaire roumain"
Sarabande for Solo Violin (circa 1910-1915)
US Premiere
Piano Quintet Op.29 (1940)

Enescu Chamber Players are Don Weilerstein, violin, Jennifer Curtis, violin, Nicholas Mann, viola, Claire Bryant, cello, and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, piano.

Donald Weilerstein has concertized extensively throughout the world as soloist and chamber musician. Mr. Weilerstein has taught and performed at such major American and European music festivals as Caramoor, Aspen, Ravinia, Marlboro, Mostly Mozart, Berlin, Israel, Salzburg, Luzern, and many more.

Jennifer Curtis is the winner of Astral’s 2006 National Auditions, violinist Jennifer Curtis is also the recipient of the inaugural MILKA/ASTRAL VIOLIN PRIZE, designated for a violinist invited to join the Astral Artists roster. Also an accomplished composer, her works have been performed in New York City, at Italy’s Spoleto Festival, and at the Verbier Festival de Musique in Switzerland.

Nicholas Mann has performed extensively as a recitalist and soloist. He has been a member of the faculty at the Juilliard School since 2002 and is now Chair of the String Department at the Manhattan School of Music.

Cellist Claire Bryant has appeared as a soloist with orchestra including the Kuopion Symphony Orchestra of Finland, the National Symphony of Honduras in Tegucigalpa, the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, and the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. She is the founder, producer, and artistic director of the acclaimed chamber music series With Strings Attached.

Vivian Hornik Weilerstein has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the world and is a frequent collaborator with many of today’s most eminent artists and ensembles. Ms. Weilerstein has appeared as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale di Torino, and has toured throughout Europe and Japan. Ms. Weilerstein is an active member of the highly acclaimed Weilerstein Trio, which is in residence at the New England Conservatory.

Watch for

A few things to keep an eye out this month:

1) Camerata San Antonio's American Rhythms - 1/10 @ Travis Park United Methodist Church

2) Hilary Hahn's Bach violin and voice cd

3) SOLI Chamber Ensemble's American Residency 1/25 & 26 @ Gallery Nord & Trinity University

4) Cypress String Quartet's new cd of Elen Ruehr quartets

A very good year

Enjoy this look at 2009 through the eyes of John Clare, family & friends.
Here's to a great 2010!

John Clare's 2009 from John Clare on Vimeo.

Rate decrease?

So I love looking at trends, etc...have you seen the numbers for this blog?
► 2009 (61)
► 2008 (213)
► 2007 (321)
► 2006 (308)
► 2005 (140)
► 2004 (12)

I was doing really good there in 2007 wasn't I?
Of course, these days I tweet for work, as well as blog, here are a few of those numbers:

► 2009 (284)
► 2008 (160)

1,972 tweets and 530 followers

It really is a matter of time...I take care of my folks, work fulltime @ TPR plus I'm involved with SOLI, SACMS, friends, et al...

2000-2009

Ten years ago, I was unemployed, engaged and living in Dallas (December 1999). I was about to turn thirty. Soon after, I broke up with Jann, started teaching violin & viola for a couple of school districts, gigging in various orchestras and worked part time at Tobacco Gallery.
I left for the summer (2000) to Wichita and returned that fall, again teaching, playing & gigging/selling cigars. It was a grand time with Jack and friends - Cindy, Shana, Jonna, and that blonde in Shreveport (what was her name?!)
In the summer of 2001, I started applying for radio jobs, and had interviews in Indiana and New York, finally making the cut in August 2001 at KNPR in Las Vegas. In September I was packing on 9/11 to go to Las Vegas. That Christmas was hard but the desert was pretty amazing. I helped the local scene with the Philharmonic, Studio One performances and even founded the Chamber Music Society there with my friend Bob Stewart. But a few years in management, hard work for new music, and wacky relationships - by May 2005 I was ready to leave.
June 2005 found me in Harrisburg, PA working for WITF. I loved being so close to Philadelphia (I saw my friends JoAnn Falletta and the Galways @ Mann Center that summer!) and NYC (seeing Thomas & his beautiful wife that August!) and all of the arts in the region. I got a call that September about ASCAP's Deems Taylor Award, I would receive it in NYC in December. I was on cloud nine. Lots of music talks, preconcert talks and gigging in coffeehouses with Paul Z was just right!
Again, lots of work for new music, tons of concerts, interviews and amazing food. By May 2008, I was ready to leave WITF had made the finals in Houston and Buffalo for management jobs in radio. It was San Antonio though where I was meant to be. Happy at KPAC, it's a 24 hour classical music station where I have an afternoon shift, and feature local music events. It's a dream. Keeping me sane for creative, new music is SOLI Chamber Ensemble, who have asked me to be their Executive Director - I said yes!
What a great ten years! Hard to believe it has gone by so fast. I am turning 40 and getting grey hair. My planned recital isn't going to happen on my birthday, but later in the year, keep an eye out for that. Here's to the next decade.

Best of 2009/Aughts

From June 2009, on location in Vienna with the WKO (Vienna Chamber Orchestra), Philippe Entremont on the eve of his 75th birthday - one of the moments of the year AND decade!

Romanze K466 from John Clare on Vimeo.

Great gesture!

Sam Weiser, the fifteen-year-old violin prodigy from Connecticut, will be donating the profits from his debut album 'Sam I Am' (2.16/ Disappear Records) to honor the memory of slain journalist Daniel Pearl. A talented musician in his own right, Pearl played several instruments, including the violin.

Proceeds from Weiser's debut will be donated to the Daniel Pearl Foundation and Friends of Daniel Pearl's FODFest, a nonprofit organization who looks to promote and empower communities through the universal language of music. Daniel Pearl was a successful Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and murdered in 2002 by Pakistani terrorists.

In 2008, Weiser was awarded the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin and was inspired by the significance of the foundation: "It's made me want to send a message of peace through my music and inspired me to find new ways to connect with people and promote Daniel's mission of tolerance."

Weiser's debut, 'Sam I Am,' will be released on February 16th on Disappear Records and will feature interpretations of songs by musical heavyweights such as Carlos Santana, Eddie Vedder and Mark O'Connor, in addition to four compositions written by the album's producer Sonia Rutstein (a.k.a. SONiA).

Pomplamoose - xmas

One of my absolute favorite groups! Merry Christmas!

SHARKS!

w00t!

Selections from Frank Zappa's 'Yellow Shark' album will be performed on December 1 by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra with John Adams conducting. The concert is presented as part of the West Coast, Left Coast Festival celebrating California composers.

The group will perform "Questi Cazzi Di Piccione," "Ruth is Sleeping," "G-Spot Tornado," "The Girl in the Magnesium Dress," and "The Dog Breath Variations / Uncle Meat aka Dog Meat" from 'Yellow Shark,' works which All Music Guide called "essential... the gripping works of a mature composer." 'Yellow Shark' was the last Zappa recording released during his lifetime.

WHO: LA Philharmonic Orchestra and John Adams, conductor
WHAT: West Coast, Left Coast including performances of Zappa's works
WHEN: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 8:00 PM
WHERE: Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012 (323.850.2000)
TICKETS: $26, 24, 51 at laphil.com or 605.475.4333

The program also features works by Ingram Marshall and Harry Partch.

One of Minimalism's shaping spirits, John Adams is a composer of distinctive stylistic élan. He won the Grawemeyer Award in 1995 for his Violin Concerto and was named Composer of the Year in 1997 by Musical America. Adams is also an active and esteemed conductor. He has won three Grammy awards for Best Contemporary Composition.

Baby Stockhausen

Baby Stockhausen from John Clare on Vimeo.

Bartoli Treasure Hunt

Have some fun with Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and her latest cd...answer this question:

What was Farinelli's birth name? Send your answer here to get a piece of the puzzle...or click on the clue pictured below.

For the previous clue, go here.
For the next clue, head here.

Castratinis will be served

Cecilia Bartoli’s latest recording project, Sacrificium, is one of this fall's most anticipated releases. To celebrate, Decca will host a free, unique event on November 16 at 7:30pm. The release party, at (le) poisson rouge in New York City's West Village, will feature a video recording of Bartoli performing selections from the album. The concert was recorded on September 10, 2009 at the court theater of the Reggia di Caserta, a palace built for the Bourbon kings of Naples. Mixologist Allen Katz has created a special cocktail, "The Castratini," for the occasion. Bartoli will greet New York City fans with a special video message, and door prizes will be awarded.

Cecilia Bartoli found artistic inspiration for Sacrificium in one of music history’s most fascinating—and cruel—subjects: the castrati of the Baroque era. Constantly challenging herself and her fans by recording virtually unknown repertoire, Bartoli continues to carry the art form to new aesthetic and intellectual heights. This new album is no exception, featuring over an hour of world-premiere recordings. Sacrificium marks the first collaboration of Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini, and Bartoli since their Grammy Award-winning The Vivaldi Album ten years ago. The comprehensive album package includes over 100 minutes of diverse and splendid tracks, as well as a 100-page illustrated compendium The A to Z of the Castrati. The album, which was recently featured in the New York Times, Billboard, and on NPR, releases today: October 26, 2009.

Allen Katz is the Director of Mixology & Spirits Education for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York. He is also the host of The Cocktail Hour a weekly program on Martha Stewart’s Sirius Satellite Radio. He has been a featured sommelier at wine festivals around the country and is a lecturer on spirits and mixology for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) in New York City as well as for the Food Studies Program at New York University.

Cecilia Bartoli’s voice and artistry have sold 6 million CDs, capturing the hearts of countless opera lovers and casual listeners alike. She is known to sell out prestigious concert halls all over the world, most recently New York’s Carnegie Hall last spring. Her awards include multiple Golden Discs, four Grammys, seven Echos, and the Victoire de la Musique. She has been given Italian knighthood, solidifying her role as one of Rome’s favorite daughters. She will tour the repertoire of Sacrificium throughout Europe in the 2009-2010 season.

(le) poisson rouge is located at 158 Bleecker Street, between Thompson and Sullivan.

Searches

I like to keep track of who is visiting here, and when checking today of how folks find ClassicallyHip, I laughed out loud when someone in Redditch, UK searched for "John Clare Badger Music." really.

Badgers?! we don't need no stinking badgers music!

Also alot of searches for last weekend's SA Symphony concert with Alondra de la Parra, the buzz and excitement around doesn't surprise me that folks are searching.

Other top searches include Helene Grimaud, Janine Jansen, and these days as it gets performed more & more, Concerto 4 3 by Jennifer Higdon...which is the most searched of all time on this blog, due to a link from a politcal site who grabbed my review.

Enjoy, much more coming this month, including a pumpkin decorating contest I am entering!

Five Things about the SA Symphony: VIVA ALONDRA

I heard the San Antonio Symphony Friday night at the Majestic Theatre in downtown San Antonio.
1. The program began with the Star Spangled Banner - odd for the second classics concert - which is really not a big thing, but should they play it for all the concerts? Someone mentioned this was the start of a different series than the last concert; but come on SA Symphony management, seriously? Make it standard on ALL concerts or just the FIRST of the season; or better yet, do different versions every time, which would be nice for the audience AND the players/singers.
2. Clarice Assad's Brazilian Fanfare is downright fun. Not a serious piece at all, it changes moods and themes quickly. While it is not a seasoned work, it shows brilliant orchestration and rhythm. These were brought out with the orchestra by the talented Maestro Alondra de la Parra - who should be the next Music Director of the SA Symphony.
3. Debussy's Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun was sumptuous. de la Parra brought out stunning dynamics and soaring melody lines from the orchestra. Principal flute Tal Perkes was delightful, as well as Principal Horn Jeff Garza in solos.
4. Rounding out the first half was Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto. The soloist was Jennifer Koh, who I have seen several times in concert (read previous Five Things) and interviewed on the radio before. Somehow, this was not the star I have heard, no doubt due to a cold. Often it was scratchy, as if she was impersonating Zukerman(!), instead of her usual gorgeous sound. In the audience, cellphones and snores detracted from the performance. An encore of Bach (Partita #2, allemande) was better, but after hearing Shaham's Bach recently in the same space, it was not as inspiring. Again, I believe it was poor health that contributed to this performance - even quarterbacks like Kurt Warner have bad days, you just hope they aren't the day of the Superbowl...
5. The program ended with Beethoven's glorious Seventh Symphony. String Basses were moved to the back of the stage and brass brought to the side, experimenting with the sound at the Majestic - with great improvement! The energy of Alondra was infectious, for the ensemble (who castly improved from the morning rehearsal) and for the audience who leapt to their feet and gave a huge ovation for de la Parra. It was well deserved. This "war horse" had shape and motion, an arc that moved logically, artistically and brilliantly through Beethoven's music. This is a concert to catch and share with your friends - it repeats tonight at 8pm.

The San Antonio Symphony should move now to hire Alondra de la Parra. Not just for marketing reasons: she is a young, beautiful, latina conductor who has spark and moxie. Nor should they hire her just for the raw talent which shows and gleams in her attitude, baton and spirit.
They should hire her because it is the right thing to do. True EXCITEMENT in the classical world is rare unfortunately. de la Parra exudes charisma and intelligence. She has ideas on audience building, music, outreach, and education. In an uncertain world, hiring Alondra would go to having leadership, a musical guide and energy building force for the San Antonio Symphony. The path is clear in this, stop the search and announce that Alondra de la Parra is the seventh Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony.

Here is an interview with Alondra on stage @ the Majestic:

SA Sym: Alondra de la Parra from Classical Spotlight on Vimeo.

Paul's folks

I was delighted to see that Performance Today is featuring my friend Paul Moravec, and a piece of his honoring his parents. Too cool, check it out, it will be on the site for at least a week, I think features are archived, but do yourself a favor and take a look & listen now, I'll be seeing you in all the old, familiar places I'm sure ;)

http://performancetoday.publicradio.org/

Catchin up

Wonderful week in three states, four concerts, two documentaries and lots of friends, food and fun. Back to my day job, and an airshift this afternoon AND an interview with Alondra de la Parra. Tonight a concert with SA Symphony and I need to get my hands on my fiddle, next week is Mid Texas Symphony and our fundraiser.

Here is a sample from last weekend of SOLI performing John Williams:

SOLI recap

Take a look at Jack Fishman's coverage of SOLI via my reports: http://voices.mysanantonio.com/jackfishman/2009/10/on-tour-part-5.html

and here:

http://voices.mysanantonio.com/jackfishman/

In Colorado Springs

I am wrapping up being on the road with SOLI, it's been a real blast. Today fly out of Denver to Dallas, then on to Baltimore to work with the Peabody Wind Ensemble and a world premiere of Judith Lang Zaimont.

Here I am with SOLI at the CS Fine Arts Center after their concert in the permanent collection.

E minor afternoon

I think you'll like the Mid Texas Symphony concert this weekend, Dvorak New World & Chopin 1st concerto with Di Wu.

I'm on the first stand of 2nds, with my cool stand partner Paula. We have lots of fun.

Nice to stay in violin shape as it were, and play in a group.

CT LIVE: So easy

CTLIVE: So easy... from John Clare on Vimeo.

Let's have some fun & make this viral!

birthday boy

Happy 73! Dad with homemade sugarfree choclate cake.

Tomorrow we'll go out to see Inglorious Basterds.

inspiration

for making ribs...Dan Welcher modeling the baby back ribs last week that he cooked!

flintstones

Meet the flintstones...my impersonation cooking two racks of ribs for dad's birthday!

Mad Men of Music 2

Continuing our Mad Men thread, the folks @ Sterling Cooper would have taken clients, wives and girlfriends over on the new Lincoln Center (where the NY Phil played at in 1962) and heard some remarkable music. [Many of the new pieces were commissioned for the opening of Lincoln Center!]
So without further ado, here are the ten concerts that the folks at Sterling Cooper would have gone to see and hear.

09/23/1962 SUN 9:00PM Philharmonic Hall

INAUGURAL CONCERT IN PHILHARMONIC HALL

Bernstein, Leonard

Farrell, Eileen Soprano
Verrett, Shirley Mezzo-Soprano
Vickers, Jon TenorBell, Donald Bass-baritone
Schola Cantorum of NY
Juilliard Chorus
Addison, Adele Soprano
Amara, Lucine Soprano
Chookasian, Lili Mezzo-Soprano
Tourel, Jennie Mezzo-Soprano
Bressler, Charles Tenor
Tucker, Richard Tenor
Flagello, Ezio Bass-baritone

London, George Bass-baritone

Columbus Boychoir

The Star Spangled Banner
Beethoven / Missa solemnis in D major, Op. 123 / Gloria
Copland (seen left) / Connotations WORLD PREMIERE

Intermission
Vaughan Williams / Serenade to Music
Mahler / Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major / Hymn: Veni, creator spiritus

10/18/1962 THU 8:30PM Philharmonic Hall
Bernstein, Leonard

Montealegre, Felicia (Lenny's wife) Speaker
Weaver, Fritz Narrator
Addison, Adele Soprano
Babikian, Virginia Soprano
Kleinman, Marlena Mezzo-Soprano
Simon, Joanna Mezzo-Soprano (seen right)
Choral Art Society

Honegger (70th bday)/ Rugby (Mouvement Symphonique No. 2)

Honegger / Pastorale d'été
Honegger / Pacific 231 (Symphonic Movement No. 1)
Intermission
Debussy (100th bday)/ Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien


11/29/1962 THU 8:30PM Philharmonic Hall
Barbirolli, John
Bachauer, Gina Piano (left)

Milhaud / Overture Philharmonique WORLD PREMIERE
Delius / Intermezzo from Fennimore and Gerda
Beethoven / Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
Intermission
Brahms / Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

12/13/1962 THU 8:30PM Philharmonic HallMaazel, Lorin

Ferras, Christian Violin (right)
Mendelssohn / Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107, Reformation
Berg / Violin Concerto

Intermission
Beethoven / Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Jan 17, 18, 19, 1963
Bernstein, Leonard
Lhevinne, Rosina Piano
Juilliard String Quartet
Mennin / Concertato, Moby Dick

Chopin / Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 11
Intermission
Martinu / Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Ravel / La Valse

Apr 04, 05, 06, 07, 1963
Schippers, Thomas
Arroyo, Martina Soprano (left)

Britten / Variations for String Orchestra on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10
Barber / Andromache's Farewell, for Soprano and Orchestra WORLD PREMIERE: (COMMISSIONED BY THE NYP IN CELEBRATION OF ITS OPENING SEASON IN LINCOLN CENTER)
Intermission

Sibelius / Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

Apr 11, 12, 13, 14, 1963Schippers, Thomas, Conductor & Organ
Meyer, Jeffrey Boy Soprano
Walter Baker Chorus
Little Church Around the Corner Boys' Choir
St. Paul's Boys' Choir

Wagner / Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg: Prelude
Mozart / Symphony No. 38 in D major, K.504, Prague
Intermission

Poulenc (seen right)/ Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings and Timpani

Poulenc / Sept répons des ténèbres WORLD PREMIERE (COMMISSIONED BY THE NYP
IN CELEBRATION OF ITS OPENING SEASON IN
LINCOLN CENTER)

Apr 25, 26, 27, 28, 1963Hindemith, Paul
Heiller, Anton Organ

Weber / Euryanthe Overture
Hindemith / Concerto for Organ WORLD PREMIERE (COMMISSIONED BY THE NYP IN
CELEBRATION OF ITS OPENING SEASON IN LINCOLN CENTER)
Intermission
Reger / Variations and Fugue on a Merry Theme of Johann Adolph Hiller, Op.
100

May 16, 17, 18, 19, 1963
Bernstein, Leonard
Stern, Isaac Violin

Mozart / Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550
Mozart / Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K.219, Turkish
Intermission
Henze / Symphony No. 5 WORLD PREMIERE (COMMISSIONED BY THE NYP IN
CELEBRATION OF ITS OPENING SEASON IN LINCOLN CENTER)Debussy / Ibéria

Promenade / May 31, Jun 01, 02, 1963
Kostelanetz, Andre

Sills, Beverly Soprano (left)
VIENNA NIGHT
Mozart / Le Nozze di Figaro Overture

Mozart / Symphony No. 24 in B-flat major, K.173dA
Mozart / Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Martern aller Arten
Mozart / Exsultate, jubilate, K.158a (K.165) / Alleluja (Allegro)
Strauss / Straussiana
Strauss / Fruhlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring), Op. 410
Strauss / Perpetuum mobile, Op. 257

Strauss / Pizzicato Polka
Strauss / Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214
Strauss / An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), Op.
314
Intermission
Strauss / Der Rosenkavalier/ Waltzes
Korngold / Die tote Stadt / Marietta's Lied
Lehár / The Land of Smiles / Yours is My
Heart Alone
Strauss / Die Fledermaus / Klänge der Heimat (Csárdás)

Lehár / The Merry Widow: Suite

With the ROBERT HERGET DANCERS:
BETTY LOW, NIRA PAAZ, TAD TADLOCK, TOM MIXON, EDWARD VERSO

Ten concerts that Mad Men would have caught with new music in New York City...I also imagine since the Philharmonic was starting to play @ Lincoln Center, they would have had dessert & a drink afterwards on the upper west side.
Season 3 Mad Men concerts still to come!

Just 'nother mornin'

Enjoying the morning in Bastrop

Philippe plays Debussy

Enjoy this tidbit from last year's IKIF...

Lucasfilm on tour

Pretty impressive: http://www.starwarsinconcert.com/

Mad Men of Music - Season One

Mad Men begins in the early 1960s at the “Sterling Cooper advertising agency” on New York City's Madison Avenue. The show centers on Don Draper, a high-level advertising creative director, and the people in his life in/out of the office. It also depicts the changing social mores of 1960s America.

So any good ad man like Don, Bertram or Roger would have gone to the New York Philharmonic besides the cool clubs and restaurants we see them on the show.

They would have taken clients, wives and girlfriends over on 57th Street to Carnegie Hall (where the NY Phil played at in 1960) and heard some remarkable music. [Many of the concerts listed here were recorded by the Philharmonic for CBS (now Sony) Masterworks.]

So without further ado, here are the ten concerts that the folks at Sterling Cooper would have gone to see and hear.

Mad Men of Music! Season One

The first concert would have been a no brainer, help out the NYP Musicians' Pension fund with conductor Leonard Bernstein and soloist Issac Stern. The gala was on September 27, 1960 and was quite a program:

Bernstein : Candide Overture

Roy Harris: Symphony No. 3

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2

Intermission

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

Then in October (13-16) the Philharmonic celebrated the 50th birthdays of William

Schuman and Samuel Barber! Bernstein was joined by Aaron Rosand in this program:

Schuman: Symphony No. 3

Barber: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 14

Intermission

Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Rhenish, Op. 97

Also later in October 1960 (20-23) they would have caught a world premiere by Lukas

Foss. Bernstein was joined by Leonard Rose, Lukas Foss and his Improv Chamber Ensemble Ensemble in this program:

Wagner: Siegfried Idyll

Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129

Intermission

Foss: Time Cycle, for Soprano and Orchestra

Mendelssohn: Overture to Ruy Blas, Op. 95

No doubt before the agency staff took time out to have some turkey, they would have been at this concert in November 1960 with Aaron Copland and concertmaster John Corigliano, Sr.:

Gluck: Iphigénie in Aulis Overture

Franchetti : Largo for Strings, in memoriam

Dvorak: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53

Intermission

Copland: Symphonic Ode

Copland: El Salón México

In December, the weather outside might have been frightful (there were several airline

accidents that winter the area), but the ad men would have warmed up to the Second Viennese School with Hans Rosbaud and pianist Rudolf Firkusny:

Schoenberg: Five Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16

Webern: Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6

Hindemith: Concerto for Orchestra, Op. 38

Intermission

Brahms: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

Early in 1961, Duck and Freddy would have recovered from any New Year's festivities and might have taken the gals to hear Morton Gould play one of his own works, conducted by Paul Paray:

Rossini: La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder) Overture

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

Intermission

Gould: Dialogues for Piano and String Orchestra

Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust (The Damnation of Faust), Op. 24 / Ballet Des Sylphes / Menuet de Follets (Minuet of the Will-o'-the-Wisps) / Rakoczy March (Hungarian March)

Liszt: Les Préludes

No doubt everyone would have wanted to catch the hot red head soprano Beverly

Sills (gotta see Bubbles!) when she joined Andre Kostalanetz in early February 1961:

Chabrier: España, Rhapsody for Orchestra

Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-Cornered Hat) / PART II

Granados: Goyescas / Interlude / The Maja and the Nighting

ale, Rosario (aria)

Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Una voce poco fa, Rosina (cavatina)

Intermission

Albéniz: Excerpts for Orchestra, from Iberia / Fête-Dieu à Séville

Marquina: España Cani

Ponce: Estrellita (Little Star)

Lara: Granada

Traditional: La Morena di mi Copla

Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34

Benjamin: Jamaican Rhumba

Traditional: La Bamba de Vera Cruz

Falla: La vida breve, Spanish Dance No. 1

In March 1961, The gals would have been interested in Glenn Gould, and no doubt the guys would have been happy to hear soprano Marni Nixon. Bernstein also had some great new works on the program too:

Boulez: Pli selon pli: Improvisations sur Mallarmé / Une dentelle s'abolit US PREMIERE

Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta

Intermission

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58

Thrills were to be had with the April 1961 program that would have made the Sterling Cooper staff give a standing ovation to Lorin Hollander who joined Leonard Bernstein in this program:

Chávez: Sinfonía india (Symphony No. 2)

Khachaturian: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

Intermission

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major,

Op. 100

Father Gill and Peggy might have been soothed and shocked by the program in mid April (Easter was April 17, these concerts were April 13-16) with soloist Zino Francescatti, guest conductor

Seiji Ozawa and Leonard Bernstein:

Mayuzumi: Bacchanale

Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 77

Intermission

Stravinsky: Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of

Spring)

Ten concerts that Mad Men would have caught with new music in New York City...I also imagine since the

Philharmonic was playing at Carnegie Hall, they might have stopped at The Russian Tea Room. In 1955, the restaurant was purchased by Sidney Kaye, who, in 1967, left the restaurant to his widow, Faith Stewart-Gordon. No doubt Sterling Cooper Agency had a booth, and were known by name when they came in with a client or date.

Stay tuned for Mad Men of Music, Season Two...and coming up in August 2009, the third Season of Mad Men will have another list of concerts with new music!!!!

In the meantime, enjoy this original and mad composer, Peter Maxwell Davies - and one of the Eight Songs for a Mad King!

Concerts were compiled from the NY Philharmonic website.

From the vault

Discovered film clip from July 2009...

Quoted

From RD: "That was some week we had, huh? I mean that was QUITE a week in Vienna!"

From PE: "Zhan! Your air! Es longer!"

F4NS

Entremont groupies last night @ Mannes, after the recital...it was sold out, and for good reasons - namely the killer program of the Chopin Ballades and Schubert's last sonata.

48-8=40

Two days and eight hours sleep, gah! But well worth the adventures!

Keep an eye out for some cool pics and reports from IKIF 2009, 67 degree misty Manhattan and flights here and there.

Some good news

Today, the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee (“Labor-HHS”) approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill that provides funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other public broadcasting programs.

The legislation approved by the subcommittee this morning provides CPB a $440 million advance appropriation for FY 2012 (a $10 million increase over FY 2011), as well as $36 million for digital conversion and $25 million for the public radio interconnection system for FY 2010. In addition, the bill provides $40 million for grants to public television and radio stations to maintain local programming and services and preserve jobs threatened by declines in non-federal revenue sources during the current economic decline. Finally, the legislation provides $25.4 million in funding for Ready To Learn (RTL). (These numbers should be considered tentative as the Subcommittee has not yet released bill text or report language.)

We realize the Subcommittee had to make many difficult decisions in allocating resources, given the economic situation facing our country. As such, we are grateful to Chairman Obey, Ranking Member Tiahrt and the other members of the Subcommittee for the funding contained in the bill and for acknowledging the vital service public broadcasting provides to the American people. In particular, the Subcommittee’s support for the two-year advance appropriation will afford public broadcasters a measure of certainty in their business planning and serves as an important firewall ensuring editorial independence in programming decisions. Furthermore, we appreciate the Subcommittee’s recognition of the precarious financial situation of the industry by providing $40 million in emergency funding to local stations that are struggling with severe revenue shortfalls as a result of the economic downturn.

The next step for the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill is consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee, tentatively scheduled for July 17th. The Senate Appropriations Committee could begin marking up its version of this legislation as early as July 21st.

Decisions, decisions

Enjoy this question for the ages...

Time well spent

I got to see JoAnn Falletta last weekend in action at the International Festival-Instititute at Round Top. We caught up and did this interview:

JoAnn Falletta 'Outside' the Bachs from John Clare on Vimeo.

Hustle and bustle

Very busy backstage before Sunday morning's concert - sold out! Friends, family and orchestra members mingle in the green room next to the stage...

Friends, new and old

Before the Sunday morning concert, Ulli and Philippe backstage.

Wienen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen

und liebe Philippe Entremont mit Wiener Kammerorchester! It was a full house Saturday and they loved the program of Danielpour, Mozart and Haydn. It was great music making and an exciting premiere!
Seen left is the audience for the afternoon concert, with Composer Richard Danielpour seen in the center.

Apologies to Bach for the title of this post...

Worth a thousand words?

I have been taking lots of pictures to share with you and my folks, and for the production...this one caught my eye, a nice look from the principal cellist of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and a few of his colleagues in the low strings.

Second fiddles

The orchestra is quite good and quite friendly, cannot wait for the concerts this weekend! This is the first stand of Second Violins in the Vienna Chamber Orchestra.

Sommernachts konzert

I really enjoyed last night, a FREE concert of the Vienna Philharmonic, and "super VIP" passes from the adminstrator of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra for seating and the after party! ORF was everywhere along with other photographers and media...this is a short video of the GIANT boom they had for TV, which was broadcast live across Europe (in 50 countries) as well on screens on either side of the stage for the thousands of audience members.

More Vienna

It was another busy day, starting with coffee with Richard Danielpour and a quick listening session, before heading off to rehearsal. (Seen right is the view from the back of the orchestra and the principal horn)

I stayed through the lunch break and talked with Philippe on and off tape, then went over to the Imperial Hotel after rehearsal and showed him some raw footage of the rehearsals - he is very happy!

Another shot

From the horn section at rehearsal...

Rehearsal, Thursday morning

It went quite well this morning, and it will be quite exciting this weekend!

Seen (scene) here, at the break, Richard Danielpour speaks with Philippe Entremont.

Wien, 3

This morning I met with Richard, Philippe and Christian over coffee and discussed the next few days in detail. Souvenirs rehearsal starts tomorrow!

Wien, 2

Just after arriving in Frankfurt, I boarded a train and came to Vienna. I called home, and then emailed colleagues to let them know I was in town. That led to an almost immediate dinner, which I barely changed for, and didn't realize we were all going out, but what a blast and great food.

The weather has been amazing and things are falling in place, yeay!

Wien

I'm having a blast, and will try and update this more often than not!

Taking a walk beofre a meeting this morning, I saw this Russian Orthodox church near my hotel and thought you might enjoy seeing it.

Free concerts

Curtis On Tour kicks off its 2009 European tour with two free recitals of American music on Friday, May 15 at 5:15pm and 8pm in Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music. The programs feature the world premiere of a new vocal work by Curtis composition faculty member Richard Danielpour, as well as songs by Curtis alumni Samuel Barber (’34) and Ned Rorem (’44) and chamber works by Irving Fine, Stephen Hartke, and Charles Ives. Both concerts are free and no tickets are required.
Each season, Curtis On Tour brings the extraordinary artistry of the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music to audiences nationwide and in Europe, with tomorrow’s leading musicians performing alongside celebrated alumni and faculty. The Curtis On Tour ensemble for the 2009 concerts in Europe pairs three students with faculty members Roberto Díaz, violist and Curtis President, and pianists Mikael Eliasen and Robert McDonald. After performing at Curtis on May 15, the ensemble will tour from May 23 through June 3, with stops in Ischia (Italy), Berlin, and Copenhagen. Curtis faculty members on the tour will also teach master classes in Berlin and Copenhagen.
Richard Danielpour’s Come up from the fields, father, written for baritone, viola, and piano, is the setting of a text by Walt Whitman. Mr. Danielpour said, “It involves the narrative of a family that discovers through a letter that their only son has been killed in the war. While in this instance Whitman was referring to the Civil War, the narrative is remarkably timely, and he is able to imbue it with the universal, largely through the presence of the silently suffering mother in the poem. I was attracted to the idea of this setting after seeing in the New York Times the faces of recently killed soldiers in the war in Iraq.” The work was commissioned for Curtis On Tour by the Curtis Institute of Music with generous support from Nancy, Alan, and Shirley Manocharian.
In addition to the repertoire performed in Philadelphia on May 15, Curtis On Tour’s European concerts will feature songs by Charles Ives and by Curtis alumnus Leonard Bernstein (’41). A complete listing of tour performances, repertoire, dates, and venues follows.
The Curtis On Tour performances embody the remarkable traditions of Curtis, where individually tailored study with a faculty of leading musicians has nurtured a long line of great performers, from such legends as Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber to current stars Juan Diego Flórez, Alan Gilbert, Hilary Hahn, Jennifer Higdon, Leila Josefowicz, and Lang Lang. One of the world’s leading music schools, Curtis provides full-tuition scholarships to all of its students, ensuring that admissions are based solely on artistic promise. Students at this intimate, Philadelphia-based conservatory “learn by doing,” performing frequently and often collaborating side-by-side with their teachers. Curtis On Tour embodies this irresistible meeting of youthful exuberance and seasoned artistry.
Curtis On Tour
Adrian Kramer, baritone
Nikki Chooi, violin
Roberto Díaz, viola
Natalie Helm, cello
Mikael Eliasen, piano
Robert McDonald, piano

Philadelphia performances:
Friday, May 15 at 5:15pm
Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
Presented by the Curtis Institute of Music
Free; no tickets required.
HARTKE: The King of the Sun for violin, viola, cello, and piano
IVES: Trio for violin, piano, and cello

Friday, May 15 at 8pm
Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
Presented by the Curtis Institute of Music
Free; no tickets required.
BARBER: Songs
FINE: Fantasia for string trio
DANIELPOUR: Come up from the fields, father for baritone, viola, and piano (world premiere)
ROREM: Aftermath for baritone, violin, cello, and piano

Tour Performances:
Ischia, Italy
Giardini La Mortella
Saturday, May 23 at 5pm
Sunday, May 24 at 4:30pm and 6pm

Berlin, Germany
American Academy in Berlin
Tuesday, May 26 at 7pm
Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin

Friday, May 29 at 7pm
Copenhagen, Denmark
Royal Danish Academy of Music
Tuesday, June 2
Wednesday, June 3

Today, well not TOday

Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Al Roker and Ann Curry are packing their bags for a new family getaway series on “Today” in May, and their first destination is San Antonio.
It’s called “Today Takes a Vacation,” and the visitors, including hosts from the later hours of “Today” — Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford — will do the entire May 4 show from the Alamo City.
“Kicking off our ‘Today’ family getaway, we’ll be live in San Antonio, Texas,” Vieira announced on the show Thursday. “We’ll spend some time at the oldest working dude ranch and, of course, we’ll remember the Alamo.”
According to the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, the cast and crew will be dividing their time among three locations: Arneson River Theater, Alamo Plaza and La Villita. In fact, if you’re eager to get your face on national TV, bureau spokesman Robert Salluce says NBC is looking to get a crowd at all those places.
As for the ranch they’re visiting, that’s Dixie Dude Ranch in Bandera, where the anchors will don their cowboy boots and chaps and learn the ropes. “Today” also will explore the city’s history and cuisine, including chile and barbecue. Grammy Award winner Lee Ann Womack will perform during the show.
No word if they'll stop by TPR or take questions from Classical Spotlight host John Clare...

John Clare's Composing Thoughts: Dan Welcher

Composer Interview: Dan Welcher from John Clare on Vimeo.

Flew the coop

So I had a great time in San Francisco, and am catching up from the trip, looking forward to a fab 39th birthday this weekend.
To celebrate, here is some rare, special footage from last week.

There is alot more about the chickens here. Thanks to Sebastian, Maltilda and Ethan for their help with the video!

In his own words

I heard the world premiere of Dan Welcher's "You can Fool ..." last night at Round Top.
Take a look at the video here of Dan introducing the piece...

Dan's Symphony #5 is premiered in Austin this May - be there or be square!

Classical Review: Americana Symphony

The latest from OMAC is Mark O'Connor's Americana Symphony. The release has O'Connor's Symphony No. 1 "Variations on Appalachia Waltz" and his Concerto No. 6 "Old Brass." Simply put, it is music that reflects the hope of our nation and times.
O'Connor brilliantly builds on his own music in his symphony. Each movement embraces a different aspect of our country, from dances and jigs to scenes of the sky, sun and open spaces. After numerous performances around the country (and I expect there to be many more as this release is heard by managers and audiences alike) the Baltimore Symphony recorded the Americana Symphony with director Marin Alsop. Let's hope Mark pens at least eight more of them! The other work featured is O'Connor's sixth concerto. It was inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright plantation in South Carolina. If there is one thing that can out shine Mark O'Connor's composition, it is Mark O'Connor's violin playing. O'Connor fiddles, twangs and charms his melodies in brilliant orchestrations with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. Set as a traditional concerto as fast-slow-fast, there is nothing formulaic about it.
I was pleased to interview Mark in the fall of 2007, hear him live in 2008, and talk again this last December about this project and what is coming up in the new year. Take a listen to our interview over on the KPAC blog.

On the scene

This amuses me to no end...emcee-ing the CCSA Gala.

A Bounty Of All Things Musical