The Pacific Symphony’s choice of Alexander Shelley as its next Music Director has been a solid so far. He has crafted compelling programs. He’s made concise yet informative pre-performance comments from the podium. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s young, dashing, personable, and therefore a marketing department’s dream. Most importantly, he’s shown the capacity for …
The Los Angeles Philharmonic released details today of this year’s Hollywood Bowl season (press release HERE and complete chronological list of performances HERE). Nothing particularly Earth-shattering in the 2013 rendition of the popular Southern California summer venue’s line-up or format. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, I guess. The biggest surprises for me: The … Continue reading
Recently, whenever there has been an opening for a music directorship at an orchestra, Pablo Heras-Casado usually gets included in the list of candidates to be considered. The 30-something Spanish maestro has many admirers and proponents, and he gets his fair share of positive press. The New York Philharmonic just announced that he’ll be making … Continue reading
“As the human race evolves, we appreciate Bach more.” — Allan Vogel For this year’s rendition of its “Baroque Conversations” series, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has decided to devote all five concerts this season to the music of Bach. Last Thursday’s series opener focused on his Trio Sonatas, with Allan Vogel, LACO’s renowned Principal … Continue reading
A few years ago, I was at Walt Disney Concert Hall to see James Conlon conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a concert of works by Prokofiev. Sitting right in front of me were two gentleman, one older and the other younger, speaking a European language I did not recognize. Whatever they were saying, they … Continue reading
If you missed Esa-Pekka Salonen’s visit to So Cal a month ago to play some Lutosławski with the Los Angeles Philharmonic — or if you were there and are currently missing the thought of those concerts — you now have reason to rejoice a little: on January 25th, the recording of the First Symphony made at … Continue reading
Vassily Sinaisky is not exactly a household name, and until last night, I’d never seen him conduct. The Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre certainly looks the way you’d imagine a maestro to look: tall(ish), sporting white tie and tails (no pajama jacket here), with wavy grey hair brushed up to maximum height. … Continue reading
A new composition for a new year. Seems rather poetic, doesn’t it? Often such gestures work better in concept than in practice, but thanks to Martin Grubinger‘s virtuoso performance of The Tears of Nature, Tan Dun’s new percussion concerto receiving its U.S. Premiere last Friday night care of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, this one worked … Continue reading
Los Angeles Opera announced their 2013/2014 season today. As far as I’m concerned, the most noteworthy things: Not a big increase in number of productions and performances versus the 2012/2013 season, but the mix is a bit more diverse — including three performances of Glass’s Einstein on the Beach. Tenor Brandon Jovanovich returns to L.A. … Continue reading
“Iconic” is a term that can get bandied about willy-nilly, especially when it comes to artists of the various genres of popular music. When it comes to the 1980’s 2-Tone ska movement, however, it is a word that justifiably applies to Dave Wakeling, leader of The English Beat. Together with Madness and The Specials, The … Continue reading
As we reach the end of December, it’s traditionally time for a retrospective look at the year that is just completed. Since 2012 was the first full calendar year of All is Yar‘s existence, it’s an especially important one for me. I’ve been fortunate — dare I say “blessed” — to have been able to … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Master Chorale’s December dance card was a bit more full than usual: two concerts of holiday carols, a straight-up performance of Handel’s Messiah, providing soloists for a Messiah sing-along, and an evening of Vivaldi and Bach that was titled, “Rejoice!” I only had the opportunity to attend the Vivaldi/Bach concert, and judging from … Continue reading
Zubin Mehta: the man, the myth, the legend. While I’ve had a chance to see the other three conductors profiled in this series fairly early in their relationship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I was not around to see any of Mr. Mehta’s concerts as Music Director, let alone the ones early in his career. … Continue reading
It’s a slow start to Boxing Day this year, which is just the way I like it. I’m still recovering from a wall-to-wall Christmas, which is, well, also just the way I like it. Yesterday was a wonderful escapade that started with cooking, ended with two bottles of 2009 Ravenswood “Estate” Zinfandel (which were extremely … Continue reading
When Esa-Pekka Salonen comes back to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic, you expect finely polished performances of complex programs. In two weekends of concerts earlier this month, that’s exactly what you got and then some. E-P was in town to help the orchestra celebrate Lutosławski’s centenary, with both sets of programs featuring major works by the … Continue reading
For your listening pleasure on this Monday evening: Ralph Sauer, legendary former Principal Trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, performs this rare — dare I say, “unique” — rendition of Bach’s ubiquitous Cello Suite No. 1. Yes, I know. . . . You’re welcome. ————— Photo credit: S.E. Shires Co. Inc Continue reading
All is Yar 