REVIEW: Paavo Järvi opens eyes and ears with latest LA Phil appearance
You still pondering who could be the next Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic? Paavo Järvi has entered the chat.
Latest Entries
LA Phil’s Ben Hong promoted to Associate Principal Cello
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has a new Associate Principal Cello, though to frequent concert-goers, things will seem rather status quo. That’s because multiple sources report that at the end of this past week’s auditions, the position was awarded to Ben Hong, the orchestra’s Assistant Principal Cello since 1993 and acting Associate Principal for the past two seasons. When … Continue reading
Happy National Scotch Day!
Ladies and Laddies, today is the 2015 edition of National Scotch Day. Congratulations and slàinte to everyone out there! I’ll be celebrating by taking a dram or three from a new bottle of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old whisky that my cousin kindly gifted me for my birthday a few months ago. I’ve never had … Continue reading
VIDEO: “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana, care of the LA Phil, LA Master Chorale, and Fruhbeck de Burgos
Tonight, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale are performing Carmina Burana at the Hollywood Bowl. While it isn’t done with the frequency of, say, Beethoven’s 9th, I can’t think of a full-blown choral work that sees the Hollywood Bowl stage more often. So even though I couldn’t make it to the Bowl this evening, I’m … Continue reading
Yuja Wang dazzles in Hollywood Bowl classical season opener with Bringuier, LA Phil
Ah, the Hollywood Bowl season. The music under the stars. The celebrity soloists. The reliable if relatively unheralded conductors. The people watching. The pre-concert drinking and picnicking. The mid-concert helicopters. The late-concert fireworks. The post-concert crush of many thousands all trying (and largely failing) to quickly amble downhill to their bus or car at the same time. Good times, good times … Continue reading
Update re: Michele Zukovsky, her last LA Phil concert date, and her retirement
Some good news for all of you fans of Michele Zukovsky: I received official confirmation on when the tenure of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Principal Clarinet will end, and it’s a little later than was originally thought. Her official retirement date will be December 31, 2015, with her final concert less than two weeks before … Continue reading
Video: Andrew Bain and Eugene Izotov jazz up Strauss
The Los Angeles Philharmonic plays its first classical concert of this summer’s Hollywood Bowl season tonight, but it will do so without the services of Andrew Bain. Fear not: he’ll be back soon. The orchestra’s Principal Horn has been out and about, no doubt preparing to co-host the 47th International Horn Symposium which will be held in Los … Continue reading
LA Phil comings and goings (Summer 2015 edition): big news in the flutes and clarinets, plus a little more (UPDATED on July 8)
This year’s Hollywood Bowl season is upon us. Things kicked-off a few weeks ago, care of Journey, Ed Sheeran, and a sing-along Sound of Music, among other concerts. The Los Angeles Philharmonic made their summer debut on the Bowl stage playing the score to Back to the Future while the film was shown above their heads, though the … Continue reading
Your July 4th video: “Who’s on First”
I thought I’d do something a little different for this year’s 4th of July. Instead of the usual patriotic music offering, I’m sharing this wonderful bit of Americana: “Who’s on First,” by Abbott and Costello. It is, in my humble opinion, the best joke ever written and is delivered here with uncanny perfection. Enjoy! RELATED … Continue reading
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Other classical music concerts and recitals (in So Cal and beyond) / Reviews 2014/2015
Random thoughts from Ojai 2015 so far (updated 2:30pm Saturday)
It’s an overcast and relatively muggy Saturday morning in Ojai. Still here for the 69th edition of the town’s iconic Music Festival and we’re about 45 minutes away from today’s first concert of Day Four (or Three if you don’t count Wednesday night). Planning on detailed reviews of the entire festival experience, but wanted to … Continue reading
Interviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Other classical music concerts and recitals (in So Cal and beyond)
A chat with Steven Schick about the Ojai Festival, percussionists, and much more
Tonight marks the opening concerts in the 2015 rendition of that annual musical adventure known as the Ojai Festival. As is their habit, the folks at Ojai change Music Directors every year, and for this year’s festival, they tapped percussionist extraordinaire, Steven Schick. The Iowa native holds a number of notable posts (Distinguished Professor of … Continue reading
The Air Force Hymn (original lyrics)
On this Memorial Day, I offer the “Air Force Hymn” sung by the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale. Note that it’s not the “Air Force Song” with which most are familiar (i.e. “Off we go into the wild blue yonder . . . “). Also note that the current official version has slightly different, more … Continue reading
Los Angeles Master Chorale announces Jean Davidson as new President and CEO
Earlier today, the Los Angeles Master Chorale announced that Jean Davidson will be its new President and CEO beginning August 31, 2015. She takes over the position from Terry Knowles, who is retiring at the end of this season after having led the organization for the past 15 years. Ms. Davidson comes to the Master Chorale from New York … Continue reading
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Other classical music concerts and recitals (in So Cal and beyond) / Reviews 2014/2015
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble splendid in Long Beach appearance
The musicians of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the nomadic London-based chamber orchestra, are no strangers to Southern California. They show up annually on the season schedules of Los Angeles and/or Orange County arts organizations. Two of their most prominent figures — Neville Marriner, founder and Life President, and Iona Brown, former leader and … Continue reading
A chat with soprano Delaram Kamareh in advance of her debut with the LA Master Chorale
Delaram Kamareh is not a big believer in doing exactly what everyone thinks a soprano should do, and by extension, what they think SHE should do. As we chat over a bite to eat, she recalls a recent conversation with a would-be agent: “It was pretty clear that we weren’t a good fit for each other. … Continue reading
NY Phil names new concertmaster
The New York Philharmonic has named Frank Huang as its new Concertmaster. Mr. Huang, 36 years-old, has been Concertmaster of the Houston Symphony since 2010. He is also on the faculty of Rice University’s Sheppard School of Music. He officially begins his tenure in September. The NY Phil’s concertmaster chair has been vacant since Glenn Dicterow retired last … Continue reading
All is Yar 