If you had to pick nine symphonies — no more, no less — by different composers to include as part of a proverbial desert island survival kit, what would they be? I asked myself this question just for grins over the recent Christmas & New Year’s break. Nine has been a magical number of sorts for … Continue reading
There was a time not too long ago that had you mentioned that a fair-haired, mop top, wunderkind conductor was standing on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s podium, your image would have been of an Englishman rather than a Venezuelan. Simon Rattle (not yet knighted) was Principal Guest Conductor from 1981 to 1994, though as the … Continue reading
Anton Bruckner wrote multiple settings of “Christus Factus Est Pro Nobis.” This particular one is near and dear to my heart because it was the first Bruckner motet I learned to sing. In fact, it was the first Bruckner work of any kind to which I was introduced. Here’s a rendition by the Bristol Cathedral … Continue reading
Grant Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale have spent the better part of a month helping the Los Angeles Philharmonic with their Mahler Project. With their Disney Hall roommates moving on to Venezuela for the rest of the “Project,” conductor and chorus have collectively moved on in their own way without having to leave … Continue reading
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m conflicted when it comes to Anton Bruckner’s music. A cappella motets? Absolutely love ’em. Choral works with an orchestra? Sure. But the symphonies? Eh, well . . . I’ve tried, but now I usually make a point of avoiding them whenever possible. We have recordings of a few of the … Continue reading
All is Yar 