This entire year, Los Angeles Opera has been spearheading a city-wide celebration of Benjamin Britten’s centenary: “Britten 100/LA.” Front and center at many concerts, presentations, and events has been their Music Director, James Conlon. Britten’s actual 100th birthday is tomorrow: Friday, Nov 22, 2013. Mr. Conlon will be spending the day scooting across the city: running … Continue reading
Good news, Ojai Music Festival fans: your year-long wait for the next iteration of this wonderfully wacky artistic experience is finally over. Today marks the beginning of the 67th edition of this venerable Southern California homage to adventurous music. This year’s Music Director is Mark Morris (yes, the choreographer) — at first blush, a seemingly unlikely choice, … Continue reading
The New York Philharmonic is frequently called the country’s oldest orchestra . . . but it isn’t the country’s oldest continuously operating performing arts organization. The Handel and Haydn Society, Boston’s period instrument orchestra and chorus, was founded in 1815 — beating out the NY Phil by almost 30 years. Just to put that into … Continue reading
Continuing the interview with Daniel Rothmuller, recently retired Associate Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic: In the first part of the interview (HERE), Mr. Rothmuller and I chatted about his influences as a newcomer to the LA Phil, as well as stories and opinions about various conductors – especially Carlo Maria Giulini – and … Continue reading
If you’ve followed the Los Angeles Philharmonic at all during the past 40+ years, you’ve undoubtably seen Daniel Rothmuller. He’s a tough guy to miss. In concerts, not only did his role of Associate Principal Cello put him at the front of the stage, he had the habit of being the only gentleman to liven-up … Continue reading
As I’ve mentioned in the past, classical music marketing and advertising can be a thankless job. If you think it’s easy, you try finding something new to say about music that’s been around for hundreds of years. Go ahead, I’ll wait. . . . See? Not exactly a piece of cake. No one likes doing … Continue reading
All is Yar 