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
Category Archives: Los Angeles Philharmonic
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
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
At the LA Phil, some faces in new places
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is getting ready to kick-off their 2011/2012 winter season with an all-Gershwin gala this evening. Gustavo Dudamel will be conducting Cuban Overture, An American in Paris, and Rhapsody in Blue with the 71-year-young Herbie Hancock serving as the distinguished soloist. (If you can’t make it to Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight, … Continue reading
But if you want me to go, you should just say so
Got a pleasant surprise in my inbox this morning: an email from the Los Angeles Philharmonic saying that Bob Mould and some special guests, including Dave Grohl and Ben Gibbard, would be appearing at Walt Disney Concert Hall in November. Wait. Bob Mould, Dave Grohl, Ben Gibbard, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, … Continue reading
RIP Kurt Sanderling
Kurt Sanderling, prominent conductor in Eastern Europe before and after World War II, principal conductor of the Berlin Symphony from 1960-1977, and later a frequent guest with major European and American orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has died at the age of 98. He was two days away from his 99th birthday. During the interregnum … Continue reading
Almost like being there in person
There are a few concerts left in the Hollywood Bowl season, but the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s contributions in Cahuenga Pass are done for the year and they get a week off before the new 2011/2012 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall kicks off. In case you are feeling nostalgic for a concert you caught earlier … Continue reading
Classical music marketing — try it yourself, win LA Opera tickets
Just got back from a week’s vacation up in Northern California: fun in Yosemite, Napa, and Sonoma. I spent some quality time outdoors hiking and relaxing, not to mention tasting some very yummy wines (more on that in the near future). Much of the week was spent unplugged and away from the internet (partially by … Continue reading
Comparing guest conductors’ rehearsal styles: how to endear yourself to an orchestra — or not
“The art of conducting lies, in my opinion, in the power of suggestion that a conductor exerts – on the audience as well as on the orchestra,” the conductor Otto Klemperer once observed. “A conductor must know how to hold attention. He must be able to lead the players with his eyes and the movements … Continue reading
Quick hits on a Tuesday
First and foremost, many thanks to Timothy Mangan, esteemed music critic and muppet fan extraordinaire, for adding “All is Yar” to the blogroll of ClassicalLife.net. As much as I appreciate his wry sense of humor when covering popular culture, I continue to hold out hope that the editors and publishers of the Orange County Register … Continue reading
All Reviews / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc. / Reviews 2011/2012
Rodrigo y Gabriela (et al) at the Hollywood Bowl
A near-capacity crowd filled the Hollywood Bowl to the brim this past Saturday night. Gustavo Dudamel was in the house, along with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and some other folks. But for once, the crowd was not really there to see The Dude. Sure, there were a few screams of “We love you, Gustavo!” but … Continue reading
News about many conductors; a comment about a critic, a pianist, and a dress
I am still trying to piece together the data for the next installment of my analysis of Gustavo Dudamel’s penchant for new music (as promised in my previous post); however, these things take time and the day job keeps getting in the way. In the meantime, it seems like every time you turned around recently, … Continue reading
Gustavo Dudamel and new music (Part One of an ongoing series)
“Gustavo Dudamel — new music conductor.” Or perhaps, “Gustavo Dudamel — new music proponent.” Really?? The young maestro is not necessarily known for conducting new music as much as others such as David Robertson or Kent Nagano, and he certainly does not have the reputation or gravitas that Esa-Pekka Salonen brings when conducting “new” or … Continue reading
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