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Margaret Atwood. Photo Jean Malek

Double Meaning: Margaret Atwood on Pauline

By Rebecca Anne Clark on 1 September 2015 Contemporary, Literature, Opera

Author : (Rebecca Anne Clark)

Poet. Trailblazer. Canadian luminary. These descriptors apply as much to Margaret Atwood as they do to the subject of her first libretto, E. Pauline Johnson. While many will instantly recognize Atwood as the contemporary First Lady of CanLit, it is only in the last few decades that Johnson’s life and work have experienced a renaissance on the Canadian cultural scene. Pauline Johnson has become more relevant than ever in an era in which the subjects of her writing – First Nations issues, biculturalism and multiculturalism, women and sexuality, and Canadian identity – are hotly discussed. Born in 1861 to a…

American Composer Philip Glass is Eleventh Glenn Gould Prize Laureate

By Newswire on 14 April 2015 Chamber Music, Contemporary, Newswire, Opera, Orchestral

Philip Glass Announced asEleventh Glenn Gould Prize LaureateA fearlessly innovative, collaborative and prolific composer“I am very pleased to be the winner of the Eleventh Glenn Gould Prize. It is for me a special honor as I am one of the many musicians who have been inspired by him. Glenn Gould’s name is associated with a lifetime of excellence in music interpretation and performance. Also I am aware that this award places me in the company of some of the most celebrated names in the broad spectrum of the music of our time. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I accept this award.” – Philip…

Don Quixote Rides Again at Stratford

By Paul E. Robinson on 8 July 2014 Classical, Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Strings

by Paul E. RobinsonMan of La ManchaWritten by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe DarionDirector: Robert McQueenChoreographer: Marc KimelmanMusical Director: Franklin BraszMiguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote: Tom RooneySancho Panza: Steve RossAldonza: Robin HuttonStratford FestivalAvon TheatreJune 20, 2014Man of La Mancha opened on Broadway in 1965 and quickly entered the ranks of the classics of the American musical theatre. It is an inspired treatment of Cervantes’ Don Quixote story and continues to delight audiences all around the world. More than that, it is recognized as part of a genre that was created with commercial success in mind…

Electifying Korngold and Bach with Gil Shaham/Austin Symphony

By Paul E. Robinson on 16 April 2014 Classical, Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Orchestral, Violin

by Paul E. RobinsonLiszt: Les PréludesKorngold: Violin ConcertoDvořák: Symphony No. 7 in d Minor Op. 70Gil Shaham, violinAustin Symphony/Peter BayLong Center for the Performing ArtsAustin, TexasWhen the still boyish Gil Shaham comes bounding on stage, violin in hand, with a huge smile on his face, you know you are in for a special kind of music-making. Shaham, now 43, still seems the charming prodigy he was when he first came to international attention. Before playing so much as a note, he has the audience in the palm of his hand. This is clearly a young man who loves music and…

“Copland and Mexico” in Austin, Texas

By Paul E. Robinson on 28 March 2014 Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Opera

by Paul E. RobinsonMaestro Peter BayCopland: Two Mexican PiecesCopland: El Salón MéxicoChavez: Chapultepec (Three Famous Mexican Pieces)Revueltas: Redes (complete with film)Joseph Horowitz, scriptwriter and producerAustin Symphony/Peter BayLong Center for the Performing ArtsAustin, TexasSaturday, March 22, 2014Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas (a student at St. Edward’s College in Austin [1917-18]) and American composer Aaron Copland were born within months of each other – in December (1899) and November (1900), respectively. Both enjoyed considerable success in the 1930s, but while Copland went on to become one of the iconic figures in American music, Revueltas died of pneumonia, alcoholism, poverty and heartbreak, at the…

Too Many "f"s in DSO/van Zweden New World Symphony?

By Paul E. Robinson on 5 February 2014 Contemporary, Orchestral, Romantic

by Paul E. RobinsonScott Cantrell is the distinguished long-time classical music critic of the Dallas Morning News. He recently wrote an article titled “Let’s go easier on those fortissimos” (January 31, 2014) in which he criticized Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony (DSO) for excessive volume in music by Brahms (Piano Concerto No. 2/Symphony No. 4) and Dvorak (New World Symphony). I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Cantrell’s general point that volume levels in music performance have become excessive. Much of the blame for this phenomenon must go to technology; electronically amplified instruments can produce literally ear-splitting volume. With respect…

“Journeys”

By Paul E. Robinson on 11 December 2013 CD and Book Reviews, Chamber Music, Contemporary

“Journeys”Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence Op. 70/Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht Op. 4Emerson String QuartetPaul Neubauer, viola II/Colin Carr, cello IISONY 88725470602***** The Emerson String Quartet reigns supreme among string quartets but it has recently undergone some major changes. The original cellist,David Finckel, was recently replaced, and after years with Deutsche Grammophon the group has switched to Sony. This new CD is the Emerson’s first recording for the new label and one of its last recordings with Finckel still in the cello chair. The recordings were made in 2012. I don’t recall these two works being coupled on a CD but the pairing…

Video of the Day – Rattle and the BPO Play Britten’s War Requiem

By Paul E. Robinson on 11 December 2013 Choral, Contemporary, Orchestral, Video of the day

November 22 was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten. During his lifetime Britten was recognized as one of the foremost composers of the Twentieth Century. Since his death his reputation has grown even more. The operas are performed regularly in most of the world’s leading opera houses and his vocal music is often heard in recitals and in churches.Britten developed a style that was contemporary but never academic. He had a great lyrical gift and a talent for expressing the meaning of words through music.In this 100th anniversary year his music is being celebrated throughout the world.…

Dallas Symphony Pays Tribute to JFK with New Work by Conrad Tao

By Paul E. Robinson on 7 December 2013 Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Orchestral, Piano

By Paul E. RobinsonTao: The world is very different now (world premiere)Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 47Milhaud: Murder of a Great Chief of State Op. 405Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55, “Eroica”Joshua Bell, violinDallas Symphony Orchestra/Jaap van ZwedenMeyerson Symphony CenterDallas, TexasNovember 23, 2013Across America and around the world, individuals and organizations paused on November 22 to reflect on the 50thanniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). In Dallas, Texas, the occasion had special significance because it was in that city that the murder took place. In remembrance of President Kennedy, The Dallas…

Video of the Day – The Dallas Symphony and JFK

By Paul E. Robinson on 17 November 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Piano, Video of the day

It was 50 years ago, November 22, 1963, that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Dallas remembers that terrible day with commemorative events throughout November this year. Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony are presenting special concerts for the occasion. In this video conductor Jaap van Zweden talks about what the tribute means to him and to Dallas. He also discusses a new work written for these concerts by Conrad Tao.Paul E. Robinson

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