If you think that the number of helicopters visiting the Hollywood Bowl mid-concert has been increasing, you’re not the only one. In today’s Los Angeles Times, Deborah Borda (Los Angeles Philharmonic President) says: “It’s always been a problem, but now it’s every concert. Not almost every concert, but every concert, multiple times. And it … Continue reading
Author Archives: CK Dexter Haven
Yuja Wang and James Conlon triumph with the LA Phil
Yuja Wang is the real deal. If there was any doubt that might have crept in as to whether or not she was a “serious” pianist and/or musician based on a spate of recent cancellations and a critic’s unfortunate comments about her attire at the Hollywood Bowl, let them be put to rest after this … Continue reading
Visiting the speakeasies of New York: A prologue
For about ten years, I used to travel to New York regularly for business — as often as once every other month. Work took up most of my time, but I usually had opportunities to take in the local scene, both high-brow (Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, 92nd Street Y, Broadway, among others) and low-brow (Broadway, … Continue reading
The world we live in, and life in general: LA Phil and Dudamel do Kurtág, Mozart (with Richard Goode), and Strauss
I almost always go to classical music concerts because I feel I must see/hear something on the program: a certain composer or his work, a soloist, maybe even a conductor. Other times it’s because I’m curious about a world premiere of a new work or a performer I’ve never heard before. This past Sunday at … Continue reading
Prokofiev rolls while Chapela tries to rock: Dudamel, Moser, and the LA Phil
“Let’s rrrrock this place.” Gustavo Dudamel wasn’t talking about the Prokofiev 5th Symphony when he made that comment from the stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall, but he could have been. In fact, he should have been. On a Friday night when the performance of a newly commisioned work for electric cello should have provided … Continue reading
Um — where’s CKDH?
Got a few inquiries wondering where I’ve been hiding (or in one case, what “they” did to me) . . . first of all, thank you for your interest and concern. The short answer is that the day job has had me out of town and crazy busy, so haven’t had as much time as … Continue reading
Atlanta critics get some funding; a concertmaster proposes creatively hilarious ways to get some too
Arts critics have been under siege for the past few years. Many have been losing their jobs outright, while others have been asked to spend substantial time on other topics. So it came as a pleasant surprise to learn that in Atlanta, someone is actually giving critics money to write about the arts. Here’s the notice: Possible … Continue reading
Fima’s fractured finger
Just got this email from the Los Angeles Philharmonic: Yefim Bronfman, who was scheduled to play with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall October 13th, 14th and 15th, has fractured a finger and been forced to withdraw from these performances. Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3 will be replaced by Suite No. 2 … Continue reading
Something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone . . .
A smattering of things to bring up: Forgot to mention . . . 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 … Continue reading
Some upcoming So Cal performances I can’t attend, but you should
The joy of living in Southern California is that the area offers so much to see/hear/experience; however, there is only limited space on my calendar and limited resources in my wallet, so I can’t do everything I would want. So with upcoming chunks of my time already being occupied by LA Phil performances, a Foo … Continue reading
What is your favorite performance of a warhorse?
After Friday night’s Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, I had separate communications with two distinguished gentlemen about where that particular performance of Symphonie fantastique ranked among all of the others they had experienced. Interestingly enough, I realized I couldn’t name a single favorite – no individual performance of the Berlioz standard stood out in my mind, … Continue reading
A video excerpt of Tom Hooten playing “An American in Paris” + LA Phil gala online audio stream almost gone
For those of us unable to make the LA Phil’s all Gershwin gala last Tuesday, I thought I’d share this video clip of that night’s guest Principal Trumpet, Thomas Hooten, playing one of the famous solos from An American in Paris. (LINK TO THE VIDEO) Oh, wait . . . you wanted something different, perhaps … Continue reading
A night of gods and witches: Dudamel and the LA Phil open the 2011/2012 season with Adams, Benzecry, and Berlioz
There is a point in the last movement of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique when funeral bells loudly toll and announce the beginning of a dance of witches. The ominous three note sequence repeats — forte, then piano — and continues on as the tubas begin playing the Dies Irae from the old Roman Catholic mass for … Continue reading
I’ll take a green one, and a blue one, and a gold one . . . (Johnnie Walker tasting event)
“I love scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch. Here it goes down — down into my belly. Mmmm mmm mmm.” – Ron Burgundy “Champagne’s funny stuff. I’m used to whiskey. Whiskey is a slap on the back, and champagne’s heavy mist before my eyes.” – Macaulay Connor Scotch tasting events have been popping up with increasing frequency. One day it’s The Glenlivet, the next day Glenfiddich, then an … Continue reading
Humor / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.
One of these things is not like the other
#1) LA Phil Principal Concertmaster or British actor who used to be in Monty Python? #2) Muppet or Foo Fighter? Continue reading
All is Yar 