wow… daily observations   I’m stunned by this video – I am literally speechless. I’m glad that I’m still able to type! Let me know what you think of this – is this the future of classical music? 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

calder quartet premieres rouse quartet daily observations Christopher Rouse’s String Quartet No. 3 will be premiered by the Calder Quartet at Carnegie Hall Friday evening, April 15th. Here’s a video that Carnegie Hall has posted: Christopher Rouse ; 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

detroit symphony return on demand daily observations   You can surf over to the DSO’s website and watch their PBS televised return to the stage at the Max on-demand. Watch the video here. 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

on the brink in philadelphia daily observations   UPDATED 4/15/11 While last-minute talks between management and musicians are underway, the Philadelphia Orchestra edges closer to filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I find it inconceivable that one of the great orchestras of the world might soon go under – clearly there are some hard questions that must be asked about how the organization has [...] 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

woodshed piece of the week daily observations Yes, it’s William Walton’s Partita for Orchestra. Here’s the first movement – Toccata – led by John Barbirolli. Anything entitled Toccata is always a pain in the ass to play. Sir John Barbirolli ; Sir William Walton ; Toccata ; 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

pbs covers return of detroit symphony daily observations Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour. 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

random thoughts about orchestral life daily observations Here are ten random thoughts on life in an orchestra. A music director need not live year round in their place of employment to be effective. Really. If they are managed well when they’re in town, they’ll seem to be everywhere at once, and everyone who wants a piece of them will get them. Can [...] 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

gestures in chicago daily observations   I love the musings of Michael Hovnanian, who is a double bass player with a Major Midwestern Orchestra (in Oprahtown). He has written yet another gem of a post, which has one of those paragraphs that I simply had to share: Dutoit stayed for another week to lead us in Petrushka, along with the [...] Michael Hovnanian ; 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

opening statements daily observations   The concert the Oregon Symphony is presenting this weekend has been given the title “A Pair of Sixth Symphonies”. The first of the pair is by a Czech composer who many have heard of, Bohuslav Martinu, but whose works most likely have remained unknown to the vast majority of concert goers. I’ll talk about [...] Bohuslav Martinu ; 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

detroit after the dust settles daily observations I was thinking about the Detroit Symphony strike today, as I was going about my business, and a few thoughts came to me. My first thought is what are all of the stakeholders at the DSO feeling right now? Surely, they are all relieved that the orchestra did not go over the brink and cancel [...] 2 years ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story