This past weekend’s press release from Los Angeles Opera about Music Director James Conlon’s latest contract extension through the end of the 2020/2021 season included statements from General Director Plácido Domingo, Board Chair Marc Stern, and Mr. Conlon himself. One person who was not quoted was the company’s Resident Conductor, Grant Gershon, so I asked him for … Continue reading
Los Angeles Opera gets to keep James Conlon around for a little longer. Yesterday, the company announced that the New York-based conductor will remain as Music Director through the end of the 2020/2021 season. His current contract was to expire next year. Mr. Conlon took over the position from Kent Nagano in 2006 and has been a huge presence ever since. Plácido Domingo, … Continue reading
The term “unknown masterpiece” is one usually ascribed to works that haven’t seen the light of day for decades or centuries before somehow being unearthed: a Bach aria stashed amidst birthday cards in a Weimar library or a $5 thrift store painting that may end up being a long-lost Jackson Pollack. Lagrime di San Pietro (Tears of … Continue reading
With the season-opening gala in the rear view mirror, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music Director Gustavo Dudamel decided to kick-off their regular subscription concerts with a tried-and-true formula: Beethoven, more Beethoven, and a newish work by a living composer inspired by Beethoven. Such concerts usually attract a full house, but they can also be … Continue reading
[Publisher’s note: Writer and violinist Fiona Bryan has been a regular contributor to All is Yar, and I’m very happy to welcome her back again for this concert review] The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Music Director Gustavo Dudamel kicked off the 2016/17 season on Tuesday evening with an opening night concert and gala titled “Gershwin and The Jazz … Continue reading
Los Angeles Opera announced today that Plácido Domingo will continue on as General Director through at least the end of the 2021/22 season. He has held the title since 2003. (The complete press release is below) The tenor/baritone cum conductor cum impresario has a long and storied history with the company, going back to 1984 … Continue reading
You need to take the time to watch this. You will feel much better afterwards. Seriously. Because these three guys kick some serious ass with this brief arrangement of the Stravinsky classic. (Tip of the hat to Brian Lauritzen for originally sharing this gem on FB) Continue reading
Frederick Tinsley, double-bass player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on Sept 19th. He was 76-years old. Mr. Tinsley was a 42-year veteran of the orchestra; he was originally hired by Zubin Mehta in 1974. The LA Phil will dedicate a concert to his memory during the opening week of their 2016-17 Walt Disney … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra kicked-off their 2016-17 season with the purest form of chamber music imaginable: three musicians in someone’s living room playing for a handful of engaged and enthralled guests. Yet as accurate as that description is, it merely begins to scratch the surface of what was a much richer experience that evening. … Continue reading
Here’s Part Two of my interview with Raynor Carroll, the Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic who’ll retire after tonight’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl. (Part One can be found HERE). In this part, he talks about: Matthew Howard, the musician taking over his orchestra chair once he steps down The challenges of attracting young African-Americans … Continue reading
“Someone will usually ask me: ‘How did you pick percussion or drums?’ I didn’t, it picked me. It was always been the sound of a drum that caught my ear,” explains Raynor Carroll, Principal Percussionist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. “I like to say I have the ideal job – and soon I’ll say I had the … Continue reading
It’s time once again to talk about one of our favorite topics: musical chairs in major orchestras, particularly the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There has been a lot happening since last we broached the topic, and by the end of the beginning of the 2016/17 season, one current principal will have retired and there’ll be three new … Continue reading
I trust everyone enjoyed their 4th of July weekend with tummies still full after all that BBQ and fingers still intact after all those fireworks. Now that those festivities are behind us, let’s look ahead to what I think are the most noteworthy concerts that the month of July has in store for classical music … Continue reading
Happy Independence Day, everyone! In my continuing effort to expand beyond the ubiquitous marches of John Philip Sousa, I present “Bravura” by C.E. Duble. It will likely sound familiar to many of you, so much so that you might have thought that it actually was written by Sousa. It also happened to be one of my … Continue reading
Hello, everyone. If you’re shocked that I’ve actually published something three days in a row, join the club. I realize that I’ve not been publishing at the rate I have in the past. I’m working on changing that. It’s not that I haven’t been writing; I have. It’s just hasn’t made it here to All is … Continue reading
All is Yar 