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Browsing: Classical Music

Lebrecht’s Album of the Week: Copland, Nielsen, MacMillan – Clarinet concertos (Delphian)

By Norman Lebrecht on 8 January 2021 Classical Music, Winds

The sound I miss most in our orchestral silence is the unexpected wail of a clarinet, in pain or pleasure like a cat in coitus, at the moment a symphony seems to be drifting towards the intermission. No way is the clarinet going to let this music end without a howl. Of all clarinet concertos, and I include Mozart’s, Aaron Copland’s is my favourite by a Siamese smile. Grifted from a dying cadence in Mahler’s ninth symphony, it meanders down the back-lots of Hollywood through some jazz riffs and pony clops to an upbeat, slightly phony all-American fadeout. That’s all,…

Raf

OSM chooses Rafael Payare as its next music director

By Newswire on 7 January 2021 Classical Music, Orchestral

MONTREAL, Jan. 7, 2021 – The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) announced today that Rafael Payare will become its next Music Director, effective from the 2022-2023 season for a minimum of five years. Mr. Payare assumes the position of Music Director Designate from September 1, 2021, taking over from Maestro Kent Nagano, who held the position of Music Director from 2006 to 2020. “It’s an immense honour and a pleasure to have been chosen as the next Music Director of the fantastic Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. To be given the opportunity to work, create and explore new musical possibilities with the wonderful…

Canadian Art Song Project announces Chung-Wai Chow and John Wright Art Song Mentorship Program for Composers

By Newswire on 7 January 2021 Art Song, Canadian Music, Classical Music, Contemporary, Vocal

Steven Philcox and Lawrence Wiliford, the Co-artistic Directors of CASP, announce a series of grants to support new and emerging composers during this difficult time of COVID-19 isolation. Two grants of $2000 will be awarded in each of the next three years. The successful applicants will be expected to create three Art Songs (free-standing poems set to music), roughly 10 to 12 minutes in total, within 8 months of the agreed start date. As part of the programme the applicant will be paired with a recognized Canadian Art Song composer who will act as Mentor throughout the process. The Mentors will provide…

Yannick to match gifts to Met Orchestra and Chorus

By Newswire on 6 January 2021 Arts Industry, Opera

Following the controversy surrounding the Metropolitan Opera’s hiring of non-Met musicians for its New Years’s Eve Gala in Germany, while MET Orchestra Musicians and Met Opera Chorus Artists have been unpaid for 10 months, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his life-partner Pierre Tourville have pledged to match donations up to 50 000$ to support the artists of the Met orchestra and chorus. Here is the statement released by the Met Orchestra Musicians and the Met Opera Chorus: As the MET Orchestra Musicians and the Met Opera Chorus Artists turn the page to 2021, we are pleased to begin with a special fundraising matching campaign, to…

Lebrecht Weekly: Good Night! (Erato)

By Norman Lebrecht on 1 January 2021 Lebrecht Weekly, Piano, Romantic

Musical lullabies can quickly outlast their welcome. Everybody’s had the Brahms Wiegenlied sung to them at some point in infancy and many have experienced the sleepy time duet in Hansel and Gretel, the one they sing just before the witch becomes their nightmare. But one hearing is usually all I can bear of these bonbons. The beauty of this compilation by the French pianist Bertrand Chamayou is that it leads the ear down unexpected paths – some overgrown like Janacek’s crystalline opener, others unexpected, neglected or altogether unknown. Two etudes by Sergei Liapunov are drops of perfect chamomile. A dollop…

Today’s Streams: Jan. 1st

By La Scena Musicale Team on 1 January 2021 Chamber Music, Opera, Orchestral

Here are today’s streamed concerts you shouldn’t miss! Enjoy. The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie – Holiday Season Concert Nicolas Ellis and l’Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie, under the musical direction of Nicolas Ellis, accompanied by dancers from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, are pleased to share their first webcast production. This initiative allows the organization to pursue its mission of providing access to music and the performing arts to a greater number of people, to support the next generation and musical education, and to maintain the Orchestra’s excellence.…

Today’s Streams: Dec. 31st

By La Scena Musicale Team on 31 December 2020 Classical Music, Opera, Romantic

Here are today’s streamed concerts you shouldn’t miss! Enjoy. This feature will run until January 1, 2021. To submit your event, please email [email protected] The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie – Holiday Season Concert Nicolas Ellis and l’Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie, under the musical direction of Nicolas Ellis, accompanied by dancers from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, are pleased to share their first webcast production. This initiative allows the organization to pursue its mission of providing access to music and the performing arts to a greater number of…

Daniel Taylor Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada

By Newswire on 30 December 2020 Arts Industry, Baroque and Early, Canadian Music, Classical Music

Toronto, ON, December 30, 2020 … Governor General Julie Payette announced this morning that Daniel Taylor, countertenor, conductor, recording artist, and Professor of Opera, Early Music and Voice, has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. One of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Order recognizes people “whose service shapes our society; whose innovations ignite our imaginations; and whose compassion unites our communities.” In recognizing his achievements, the Office of the Governor General of Canada calls Daniel Taylor “one of our country’s most celebrated cultural ambassadors, distinguishing himself with moving performances and known for his warmth and…

Vox Luminosa

Today’s Streams: Dec. 30th

By La Scena Musicale Team on 30 December 2020 Chamber Music, Choral, Classical Music, Opera

Today’s Streams: Dec. 29th

By La Scena Musicale Team on 29 December 2020 Classical Music, Dance, Opera

Here are today’s streamed concerts you shouldn’t miss! Enjoy. This feature will run until January 1, 2021. To submit your event, please email [email protected] The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie – Holiday Season Concert The Orchestre de chambre de la Montérégie, under the musical direction of Nicolas Ellis, accompanied by dancers from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, are pleased to share their first webcast production. This initiative allows the organization to pursue its mission of providing access to music and the performing arts to a greater number of people, to support the next generation and musical education,…