JoAnn Falletta 'Outside' the Bachs from John Clare on Vimeo.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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:
Sunday, June 07, 2009
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...
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...
Friday, June 05, 2009
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!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
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.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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 DÃaz, 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 DÃaz, 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
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 DÃaz, 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 DÃaz, 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
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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...
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...
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
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.
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!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
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