January 13, 2017 • 12:58 am 2
My cover story for the February 2017 issue of Strings is now online:
Two years ago, in February 2015, Alan Gilbert announced his surprising decision to step down from his position as music director of the New York Philharmonic…
Filed under: New York Philharmonic, Strings
January 11, 2017 • 9:05 pm Comments Off on Opening of the Elbphilharmonie
Arte has made the opening event available for streaming here:
http://concert.arte.tv/de/eroeffnungskonzert-elbphilharmonie
And here’s a report (in German) on the new hall’s acoustics.
Filed under: music news
January 6, 2017 • 2:08 pm Comments Off on At Seattle Symphony, Cosmic Radiation from Beethoven and Messiaen
The Seattle Symphony, with guest musicians and vocalists, perform works by Messiaen and Beethoven this weekend. (Brandon Patoc)
My Seattle Times review:
In their first program of the new year, Ludovic Morlot, the Seattle Symphony and guests offer an inspired pairing of Beethoven’s immortal Ninth and the spiritually attuned music of Olivier Messiaen.
Filed under: Beethoven, Olivier Messiaen, review, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Times
January 5, 2017 • 3:48 pm Comments Off on Pierre Boulez, Modernist Legend, Dies at 90
On the first anniversary of Pierre Boulez’s death.
Here’s my obituary for Napster:
French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez, who wielded incalculable influence on the modern music scene, died at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany, on Tuesday, January 5. He was 90.
Boulez gained fame as an uncompromising champion of the avant-garde and ranked among the towering figures of European modernism in the 20th century. He remained a powerful force for innovation in the world of classical music until his death.
Filed under: Pierre Boulez
January 3, 2017 • 10:40 am Comments Off on Déjà vu?
I found the above image accompanying a review of The Cunning Little Vixen (aka Das schlaue Füchslein) from a Wiener Staatsoper production reviewed on Bachtrack.
Am I imagining things, or is this uncannily reminiscent of Seattle Opera’s so-called “green Ring” set?
Filed under: Seattle Opera, Wagner
January 1, 2017 • 12:00 am Comments Off on Revolution No. 9
It was premiered almost two centuries ago. And Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 still feels as urgently needed today as ever.
Filed under: Beethoven, Ludovic Morlot, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Times
Arts & Culture Stories from NPR
MEMETERIA by Thomas May 