Many of my esteemed fellow bloggers — including, but not limited to, Lisa at Iron Tongue of Midnight and Brian at Out West Arts, just to name a couple — have taken Spring for Music to task for their little contest. Good for them. I was going to refrain from any comment whatsoever because I barely have time to write/blog about things … Continue reading
It’s been a while since Neeme Jarvi has stood on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s podium. The last time he led them downtown was at the end of the 1988/89 winter season, when he was tapped to replace Andre Previn who had withdrawn on short notice with an injury after having resigned as Music Director just … Continue reading
At first blush, a matinee at Long Beach Opera (LBO) would seem to have little in common with one of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Toyota Symphonies for Youth (TSFY) educational concerts. If you knew that one had programmed a double-bill of surrealist operas by Poulenc (The Breasts of Tiresias) and Martinů (Tears of a Knife), while the … Continue reading
Thanks to the iPod touch game, “N.O.V.A. 2” by Gameloft, CKDH Jr. has a new favorite piece of classical music: The “Dies Irae” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem. We have a recording of the Requiem by Fritz Reiner conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, and the “Dies Irae” is now on constant repeat. Nothing like hearing it cranked up … Continue reading
The fact that the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) is excellent should not be news. They’ve had many opportunities to impress when performing with the likes of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, most recently as part of the massive choir for Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. That said, they don’t usually get a chance to show off on … Continue reading
A smattering of musical stuff to check out over the next 31 days . . . Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s “Westside Connections” Margaret Batjer, LACO’s Concertmaster, curates this novel combination of food-themed music and discussion about gastronamy and the culinary arts. The first of three presentations is tonight and features LACO musicians being joined by … Continue reading
On this leap day in 1792, the great Italian composer, Gioachino Rossini, was born. He wrote over 30 operas along with many other works, but he is probably best known for The Barber of Seville. So in honor of Signore Rossini’s 220th birthday, I offer you The Barber of Seville the way most of us … Continue reading
A program of Stravinsky, Debussy, and Prokofiev may still be considered adventurous in some concert halls, but for many years, it was the norm at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The 20th Century French and Russian composers seemed to turn up on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s programs as often (if not more so) than Mozart, Brahms, … Continue reading
The word “great” is often overused, but there can be no doubt that it applies to Maurice André. The French trumpeter, renowned worldwide for his artistry and leadership, has died at the age of 78. He won his first prize for trumpet in 1953. It was the first of many more awards and honors to come, … Continue reading
Quick — imagine an opera, any opera, in your head. I’ll wait. . . . I’m guessing that you probably came up with large-bodied singers standing in one place belting out big arias in a foreign language (probably Italian, German, or French) over the strains of a big orchestra; lots of murder, suicide, rape, and … Continue reading
According to KUSC’s Twitter feed, Lorin Levee, Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has passed away. He was 61 years old. The information was retweeted by the LA Phil, so I’m guessing that the sad news is accurate. Thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. No additional details, andthe orchestra has … Continue reading
I’m headed back to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion tonight to tweet-up Los Angeles Opera’s production of Benjamin Britten’s comedy, Albert Herring. Things are pretty much the same as they were for Simon Boccanegra, except for two notable differences: The evening begins with a back stage, behind-the-scenes tour Photography will no longer be permitted The hashtag for … Continue reading
Last Friday, Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony made their long-awaited visit to the Southland with a one-night stop at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The whole affair had a “take it or leave it” feel, beginning with the curiously obscure program of works by Honegger, Mason Bates, and Franck, and ending with Mr. … Continue reading
If I were to look at a random cross-section of my favorite bits of music across genres, much of it — mazurkas by Chopin, Le Sacre du Printemps, New Order 12″ remixes, even the cheeky Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO — is inherently dance music. Baroque music in particular is riddled with dance-based themes. A … Continue reading
Tonight, the Chicago Symphony arrives in Southern California after too long an absence. The antici . . . pation is finally coming to an end. You’ve downloaded your free MP3 of Franck’s Symphony in d minor, listened to it intently, and now you’re ready for the real thing. A few last minute bits of fun: Continue reading
All is Yar 