Author Archives: CK Dexter Haven

LA Chamber Orchestra announces 2014-15 season, more details about Kahane’s 2017 departure
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical

LA Chamber Orchestra announces 2014-15 season, more details about Kahane’s 2017 departure

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The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra officially announced that Jeffrey Kahane will step down as Music Director in 2017, at which time he will become Music Director Laureate.  In addition, LACO announced details of their 2014-15 season; the complete press release is below. I’m especially excited about the coming “Westside Connections” series, with the coming year’s … Continue reading →

Jeffrey Kahane leaving LA Chamber Orchestra after 2016-17 season (UPDATED)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical

Jeffrey Kahane leaving LA Chamber Orchestra after 2016-17 season (UPDATED)

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(UPDATE:  The official LACO press release about this announcement and details about their 2014-15 season is HERE) (UPDATE #2, April 26:  Jeffrey Kahane’s full statement about his post-LACO plans is HERE) Pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane has announced that the 2016-2017 season will be his last as Music Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. … Continue reading →

For your Good Friday: excerpts from “Messiah” by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields
Music News & Info: Classical

For your Good Friday: excerpts from “Messiah” by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields

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Some Good Friday music for you (just not that “Good Friday Music“): Here is a brief excerpt from Part the Second of Handel’s Messiah (“Surely He hath borne our griefs,” “And with His stripes we are healed,” “All we like sheep,” and “All they that see Him / He trusted in God”).  Sir Neville Marriner conducts the … Continue reading →

Music Video: the only rock song I know that features a harpsichord is . . .
Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

Music Video: the only rock song I know that features a harpsichord is . . .

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“Golden Brown” by the punk/new-wave/post-punk band, The Stranglers, from their 1981 album, La Folie. In addition to the liberal use of harpsichord, you’ve gotta love the time signature alternating between 6/8 and 7/8 in the main riff.  Given that the song’s title refers to obsession with heroin, a girl, or both, the occasionally disjointed rhythm is perfect. You have … Continue reading →

Morten Lauridsen shares a truly amazing story about visiting Paul Salamunovich in the hospital
Interviews / Los Angeles Master Chorale / Music News & Info: Classical

Morten Lauridsen shares a truly amazing story about visiting Paul Salamunovich in the hospital

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If there is any doubt about the power of music, this story from composer Morten Lauridsen about conductor Paul Salamunovich, his dear friend and collaborator who just passed away, should erase all of it: When I spoke to Dr. Lauridsen a few weeks ago, one of the things we discussed was that he had recently visited … Continue reading →

Music Video: post-April-Fool’s-Day classical music fun and silliness, care of the excellent duoW
Humor / Music News & Info: Classical / Reviews 2013/2014

Music Video: post-April-Fool’s-Day classical music fun and silliness, care of the excellent duoW

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I hope you survived April Fool’s Day without a scratch to either your person or psyche.  I witnessed some good-natured April Fool’s Day pranks, and managed to fall victim to none of it. FWIW:  I’m a big fan of silly fun, and feel that there’s not enough of it during the other 364 days of the … Continue reading →

Music Academy of the West inks 4-year partnership with NY Phil
Music News & Info: Classical

Music Academy of the West inks 4-year partnership with NY Phil

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Two years ago, the New York Philharmonic made a tour stop in Santa Barbara.  That, and a whole lot of negotiations, eventually led to yesterday’s announcement that the orchestra and Montecito’s Music Academy of the West agreed to a four-year partnership, beginning this summer. Neither the orchestra’s nor the Academy’s website have posted a press release, but according to details … Continue reading →

My Top 10 favorite LA Phil hires of the past decade (2nd in the series: “Random thoughts on Disney Hall’s 10th birthday”)
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical

My Top 10 favorite LA Phil hires of the past decade (2nd in the series: “Random thoughts on Disney Hall’s 10th birthday”)

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic wrapped up its whirlwind twelve day, seven city tour last week.  Reviews from the trip were generally positive, many even glowing.  Critics seemed most impressed by the performances of 20th & 21st Century works by Bjarnason, Corigliano, and Rachmaninoff, with Yuja Wang’s pianistic contributions also earning requisite praise. The smattering of negative comments made were mostly … Continue reading →

Visiting Morten Lauridsen: the renowned composer talks about the importance of silence, and his relationships with USC, Los Angeles, and the LA Master Chorale
Interviews / Los Angeles Master Chorale / Music News & Info: Classical

Visiting Morten Lauridsen: the renowned composer talks about the importance of silence, and his relationships with USC, Los Angeles, and the LA Master Chorale

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As part of their 50th Anniversary festivities, The Los Angeles Master Chorale is celebrating their long-running relationship with composer Morten Lauridsen this weekend.  The partnership is, without a doubt, one of the most important  between a composer and a chorus in the entire world.  It began with a performance of Mid-Winter Songs during Roger Wagner’s last … Continue reading →

Sway for me on a Mardi Gras day (because Preservation Hall Jazz Band says so)
Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

Sway for me on a Mardi Gras day (because Preservation Hall Jazz Band says so)

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In honor of Fat Tuesday 2014, I offer you the magnificent Preservation Hall Jazz Band with one of the oldest Mardi Gras songs around: “Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing.” In fact, since I’m feeling generous, here are two different versions of “Tootie Ma . . . ” The video above features a pared-down … Continue reading →

“The Space In-Between the Notes” — spending Britten’s 100th birthday with James Conlon (Part 2 of 2: The Morning with the Children)
Interviews / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical

“The Space In-Between the Notes” — spending Britten’s 100th birthday with James Conlon (Part 2 of 2: The Morning with the Children)

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[This is the second of my four-part story, “The Space In-Between the Notes,” of me and photographer Brandise Danesewich spending Benjamin Britten’s 100th Birthday – Nov 22, 2013 – with conductor James Conlon as he rehearsed and conducted two separate community concerts in different parts of Southern California.  “Part One:  A Prelude,” is HERE.] 9:55am … Continue reading →

The new 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic will be an American: Noah Bendix-Balgley
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments

The new 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic will be an American: Noah Bendix-Balgley

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The Berlin Philharmonic announced today that their new 1st Concertmaster will be Noah Bendix-Balgley, who is (gasp!) an American.  Yes, I know that Americans have held jobs — even principal positions — with the Philharmoniker before (Carrie Dennis, the current Principal Viola of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, held the same position with the Berlin Phil before … Continue reading →

“The space in-between the notes” — spending Britten’s 100th birthday with James Conlon (Part 1 of 2: A Prelude)
Interviews / Los Angeles Opera / Music News & Info: Classical

“The space in-between the notes” — spending Britten’s 100th birthday with James Conlon (Part 1 of 2: A Prelude)

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James Conlon is in the midst of an early afternoon rehearsal when he pauses to fix a line that doesn’t sound quite right to him. “Don’t rush the staccato,”  he tells the chorus.  “Staccato is about the space in-between the notes.” Later that same day, in front of a chamber orchestra this time, he’s rehearsing … Continue reading →