Just when I was hitting my stride again with writing and blogging, I managed to injure my shoulder and arm. After trying to fight through the increasing pain and soreness, I finally got in checked out last week and discovered that I had actually torn something — muscle, tendon, ligament — not sure which yet.
Anyways . . . it’s slowed me down MUCH more than I’d like, but not stopped me completely. Reviews of Southwest Chamber Music and “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” are forthcoming.
Mostly, various unexpected events got in the way. The kind of stuff that not only takes up time on the calendar, but also space in the psyche. Usually, the trials and tribulations of life motivate me to write more, to use this medium as a respite from . . . well, everything else.
But this time around, not so much. The words just didn’t flow — or at least, didn’t flow in a way that was worthy of posting. I’d spent more than a few days taking four or five hours to write, only to re-read the stuff later and realize it was unpublishable crap. Thankfully, I found some solace and motivation from Tim Mangan’s recent post (HERE). It kinda helps knowing that others with longer resumes and bigger stages experience something resembling the same thing.
There were also the occasional technology hiccups. One example: it’s never a good thing when your trusty computer actually tells you to “double panic” when you boot up (as if a single panic isn’t quite enough).
In any case, I’m back.
Got a couple of concerts from late January I’ve been dying to write about (LACO/Rilling and Yefim Bronfman’s recital), not to mention the slew of 2013/2014 season announcements being made around the country. And for those of you who’ve been requesting more extra-musical content, I’ve got stories of a trip to Santa Barbara County wine country and a couple of restaurant reviews to boot. Oh, and tonight, I’ve got Charles Dutoit and the LA Phil.
Intermission is done. It’s time to get back in my seat.
As we reach the end of December, it’s traditionally time for a retrospective look at the year that is just completed. Since 2012 was the first full calendar year of All is Yar‘s existence, it’s an especially important one for me. I’ve been fortunate — dare I say “blessed” — to have been able to experience more performances than I would’ve guessed at the beginning of the year — most of them somewhere between really good and truly awesome.
After some very detailed number-crunching, extremely scientific analysis, and deeply meditative internal reflection (OK, maybe more like some quality time with a green tea and some scotch), I decided to follow tradition and write-up a list of stuff I thought was worth mentioning. So cozy up to a loved one, grab a glass of your favorite beverage, and get yourself ready for . . . (cue trumpet fanfare) . . . the first-ever ”All is Yar‘s Most Favorite and Noteworthy Classical Music Stuff of the Year”.
First of all, we’re a talking Le Sacre du Printemps here, pretty much my favorite orchestral work ever. Secondly, the performance by the Mr. Dudamel and the LA Phil was as good as I’ve heard from that combination, so good in fact that I had to see it twice (hence the parenthetical plural “Concert(s)” above). Third, we got the added bonus of a bright new work from Mr. Stucky. Fourth, did I mention the concert included Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, which is pretty much my favorite orchestral work ever?
Really, CSO?? You don’t come to Southern California for more than a generation, and this is what you bring along?!! I mean, it sounded great and all, but . . . come on, man!
Took an unexpected and unintended couple of weeks away from the blog. Unlike some of my fellow bloggers who were on one kind of planned hiatus or another, my trusty new laptop decided to freak out on me. It had done it once before and the folks at the Genius Bar thought they had fixed it; apparently not. After a few weeks, the problem reared its ugly head again. When I brought it back, they decided to keep it for longer, replace the whole motherboard and do some more extensive tests. Finally, I got it back and as of now, it looks to be good as new.
Anyways . . . I’ve got a lot of writing to catch up on, including a couple of reviews that are almost finished and other fun random musical tidbits. Stay tuned.
Many thanks to all of you for making All is Yar a small part of your day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with good food and drink, spent with people you care for.
And football. Hope it’s got some football in there too.
I was remiss in leaving this weekend’s Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concerts off my previous post of less-publicized upcoming concerts. Jeffrey Kahane and crew will be doing the Beethoven 3rd Symphony (“Eroica”) along with the Dvořák Nocturne in B major.
Adding to the fun will be Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin performing two works by Britten: Les Illuminations and Now sleeps the crimson petal (audio samples of her singing each of them HERE and HERE). I’ll admit that I’m not very familiar with her work, but based on the two samples, I’m rather bummed out that I won’t be able to see her perform (plus seeing LACO is always a treat regardless of the program). I will definitely have to make a point of trying to catch Ms. Gauvin the next time she’s in town.
If you aren’t already occupied, consider making it out to the Alex Theatre on Saturday night or Royce Hall on Sunday evening to catch one of these concerts.
Despite the potentially grave implications of this, there is shockingly little buzz about it (try googling “New York Philharmonic Strike” and see what you get). The tone of the article was certainly cautious without being alarming. And though the previous contract had expired in September, the musicians continue to perform – apparently, a common practice. Compared to an article about a 1991 NY Phil strike vote, few details have so far come out as to what the points of contention exactly are. In the wake of all the bad press surrounding other big orchestras in Detroit and Philadelphia having their own labor issues, I guess that this is a good thing.
Interesting to note that the Managing Director of the New York Philharmonic 20 years ago was Deborah Borda, current President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It is amazing and gratifying to think that the LA Phil hasn’t had significant labor strife in decades, and Ms. Borda’s move to the West Coast hasn’t changed that. Bassist Peter Rofé, chair of the negotiating committee, once told me that he could sit down with former LA Phil guru, Ernest Fleischmann, and have an honest and straightforward conversation. Ms. Borda seems to have maintained the productive relationship with the players, and certainly, the latest labor agreement between the musicians and administration valid through 2013 is indicative of continued give and take: the LA Phil players are still the highest paid among their peers with a base salary of nearly $150,000/year at the end of the term; at the same time, they were willing to make concessions such as paying more for their health insurance deductibles and co-pays, something most working Americans can easily relate to.
A standing ovation and loud bravos (bravi?) to everyone involved in keeping working conditions smooth with the local band so they can concentrate on making great music, much to the benefit of all of us. And best of luck to the folks in New York — hope there is no interruption to the music making there.
A Comedy Tonight
Igudesman and Joo
Classical Music and comedy — not necessarily oxymoronic, especially where the likes of Victor Borge and PDQ Bach have been concerned. Into the comedic classical breach step Igudesman & Joo. The Los Angeles Times interviewed the pair, and Hyung-Ki Joo made a point of saying, ”We’re not making fun of music. We’re having fun with the music. We’re classical musicians, we are very passionate and serious about classical music.”
As to their influences, some are to be expected (Messers. Borge and Bach, Dudley Moore, Danny Kaye), others a little less so: Matt Stone and Trey Parker and . . . Glenn Gould??
Their concert at The Broad Stage this weekend is already sold out, and based on the video below, I’m not that surprised. If you still want to catch them before they leave LA County, they play another show at the Carpenter Center on Sunday.
My blog has recently been added to Best Music Blogs, which is part of one of the largest networks of blog directories on the Web. Please visit my blog's personal page to vote for my blog and comment to other blog users.
As we reach the end of December, it’s traditionally time for a retrospective look at the year that is just completed. Since 2012 was the first full calendar year of All is Yar‘s existence, it’s an especially important one for me. I’ve been fortunate — dare I say “blessed” — to have been able to experience more performances than I would’ve guessed at the beginning of the year — most of them somewhere between really good and truly awesome.
Recent Comments