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Browsing: Orchestral

Video of the Day – Simon Rattle Talks About the Karajan Academy

By Paul E. Robinson on 23 April 2013 Orchestral, Video of the day

One of Herbert von Karajan’s lesser-known achievements was the creation of a training orchestra associated with the Berlin Philharmonic. Over time it has become enormously successful, with alumni going on to take positions in major orchestras all over the world.In this video the current music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, Simon Rattle, talks about how this orchestra was created and how it functions. Clearly, it has become an important part of the life of the Berlin Philharmonic itself.Paul E. Robinson

Video of the Day – Colin Davis (1927-2013) Remembered

By Paul E. Robinson on 17 April 2013 Orchestral, Video of the day

Colin Davis began his musical career as an angry and arrogant young man but lived long enough to become a beloved and venerated figure. He died this past weekend at the age of 85 after a long and distinguished career.His “big break” came in 1959 when he filled in for an ailing Otto Klemperer in a concert performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with the Philharmonia Orchestra. It was a huge success. Davis went on to become one of the finest Mozart conductors of his generation, combining grace and elegance with crisp rhythms and expressive intensity. But he had a wide…

Video of the Day – James Sommerville: Hornist, Athlete and Conductor

By Paul E. Robinson on 9 April 2013 Orchestral, Video of the day

Talk about busy! How does one person manage to hold down the position of principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and yet find time to be conductor and music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic? He is also a faculty member at the New England Conservatory. James Sommerville is not only talented but thrives on making the most of his time. And did I mention that he takes physical fitness very seriously too? Ever considered competing in a triathlon? This is an Olympic sport that is actually three sports combined: running, swimming and cycling – at the highest level. This is what James…

This week in Montréal: April 8 – 14

By La Scena Musicale Team on 8 April 2013 Chamber Music, Choral, Orchestral, This Week in Montreal, Violin

Virtuosos at the Chapelle Bon-PasteurOn April 8, Jonathan Crow and Andrew Wan, first violins at the OSM and TSO, recount the 20th- and 21st-century history of the violin duo. On April 12, the Ensemble Transmission invite percussionist François Rivalland for an evening of Aperghis, in which three young upcoming musicians will participate. www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chapellebonpasteur – Renée BanvilleOpera de Montreal’s Atelier Lyric Performs a Menotti Double BillFor its annual production, the Atelier Lyric at the Opera de Montreal presents two one-act operas by Gian Carlo Menotti: The Old Maid and the Thief and Amahl and the Night Visitors. Musical direction is provided…

Maestro Peter Bay/ASO: Heroic, Soaring Sibelius Second!

By Paul E. Robinson on 22 March 2013 Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Orchestral

by Paul E. RobinsonMaestro Peter Bay (photo by Marita)Beethoven: Leonore No. 2 OvertureGinastera: Harp Concerto Op. 25Sibelius: Symphony No. 2Yolanda Kondonassis, harpAustin Symphony/Peter BayAustin, TexasLong CenterMarch 8, 2013It’s not often that one hears a harp soloist with a symphony orchestra. There are good reasons for that; most importantly, it is not a fair fight. The harp by nature can produce only a modest amount of sound, and is easily drowned out by even the smallest orchestra. The sound a harp makes is produced by the fingerpicking of strings and even a player with strong fingers can do only so much.…

Video of the Day – Bychkov Conducts Shostakovich

By Paul E. Robinson on 18 March 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Video of the day

This is some of the most terrifying music ever written; the scherzo from the Symphony No. 8 by Shostakovich. Here is a performance that is exemplary in every respect, not least of all, as a master class in conducting. Semyon Bychkov not only understands this music like few others but he knows how to get an orchestra to play it magnificently. The tempo is fast and the character of the music is intense and savage. Yet Bychkov is intense but incredibly controlled in his demeanor and gestures. Much of the time he is using little more than his right wrist…

A Tale of Two Cities/ A Tale of Two Orchestras

By Paul E. Robinson on 11 March 2013 Classical, Classical Music, Concert Reviews, Opera, Orchestral

Paul E. Robinson Vivaldi: Concerto in C major for Recorder, Strings and Continuo RV 444 Vivaldi: Concerto in C major for Recorder, Strings and Continuo RV 443 Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in A minor Erik Bosgraaf, recorder Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Jaap van Zweden Meyerson Symphony Center Dallas, Texas March 1, 2013 It was an interesting weekend. On Friday night, I heard the Dallas Symphony under its music director Jaap van Zweden performing Mahler’s massive Sixth Symphony at the Meyerson SymphonyCenter in preparation for its European tour. The next day I drove 250 miles down I-45 to hear a concert performance of…

Dallas Symphony Raises its Game for 1st European Tour with Maestro Jaap van Zweden!

By Paul E. Robinson on 26 February 2013 La Scena Spotlight, Newswire, Orchestral

by Paul E. RobinsonWagner: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and LiebestodBeethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major Op. 19Stucky: August 4, 1964: ElegyStrauss: Der Rosenkavalier: SuiteAnton Nel, pianoDallas Symphony Orchestra/Jaap van ZwedenMeyerson Symphony CenterDallas, TexasFebruary 22, 2013For five years now, Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden has been working steadily to build the Dallas Symphony (DSO) into a world-class orchestra. Critical reaction in Dallas has been consistently glowing and when conductor and orchestra were featured at the League of American Orchestras Conference in Dallas last year, the reaction from the ‘movers and shakers’ in the industry was ecstatic.Now comes the…

The Sacred Spirit of Russia in Texas

By Paul E. Robinson on 8 February 2013 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Scena Jazz

by Paul E. RobinsonCraig Hella Johnson and soloists of the Conspirare Company of VoicesMusic by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninoff, Kastalsky, Martynov, Ippolitov-Ivanov and othersConspirare Company of VoicesCraig Hella Johnson, conductorSt. Martin’s Lutheran ChurchAustin, TexasFebruary 2, 2013St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in downtown Austin was miraculously transformed into a Russian Cathedral last weekend as Conspirare presented a concert of Russian Orthodox liturgical music. It was astonishing to hear the 41 voices of the Company of Voices singing their hearts out with total command of both the language and the style of the music.Conspirare’s artistic director and conductor, Craig Hella Johnson, (photo: right) has boundless…

Bronfman, Bay and the ASO Bring Austin to its Feet with Brahms!

By Paul E. Robinson on 15 January 2013 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Romantic

by Paul E. RobinsonBrahms: Tragic Overture Op. 81Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem Op. 20Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor Op. 15Yefim Bronfman, pianoAustin Symphony (ASO)/Peter BayLong CenterAustin, TexasJanuary 12, 2013What a year 2013 is going to be for commemorative celebrations! Verdi and Wagner will be honoured on the occasion of the 200th anniversaries of their births in 1813, and Benjamin Britten for the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1913. In Britten’s case, the actual birth date is November 22, but conductor Peter Bay couldn’t wait that long. I don’t blame him; Britten’s greatness only grows with each passing…

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