ENSEMBLE AND PERFORMER NEWSGarrick Ohlsson: In Pursuit Of A WarhorseJanuary 31, 2012 Pianist Garrick Ohlsson launched his career in 1970, when he became the first American to win the International Chopin Competition. Since then, he's performed and recorded an exceptionally wide range of piano literature — Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and much more. But there's one romantic warhorse he's avoided in the recording studio until now: Rachmaninov's flashy and notoriously finger-twisting Piano Concerto No. 3.
Skylight drops opera from name, but not lineup January 24, 2012 The Skylight Opera Theatre will change its name Feb. 1 to Skylight Music Theatre, the performing arts group announced in a statement released Monday.
Of Epic Proportions: The Carmina Burana Choral Project January 17, 2012 It is nothing short of spectacular: 400 student singers, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, a trio of esteemed vocalists, three world premieres, newly commissioned projections, and Carl Orff's seminal Carmina Burana—all in one concert.
Star violinist certain to dazzle January 12, 2012 In the often serious world of classical music, a conversation with acclaimed violinist Vadim Gluzman is a guaranteed belly laugh. The guy is funny not to mention self-deprecating and he really doesn’t take his international fame too seriously. There is no ego here, only years of dedication to the music and a desire to bring that music to all audiences, whether classical music aficionados or neophytes.
Ars Viva's key to success – giving audiences young and old the music they want January 10, 2012 There is no busier musician looking after the needs of classical music audiences on the North Shore than Alan Heatherington.
Rolando Villazón - Why variety is the spice of life for this top tenor December 15, 2011 Barry Manilow, Pixie Lott, Peter Kay – and a top opera star? What on earth is Rolando Villazón doing in the Royal Variety Performance?
The Poetry And Power Of Pianist Alessio Bax December 13, 2011 Italian pianist Alessio Bax was 19 when he entered the 1997 Hamamatsu Competition in Japan, and he may have had the most successful musical competition in history. Bax took the top prize (including cash, international recognition and concert engagements) and also won the heart of a fellow competitor, pianist Lucille Chung, who became his wife.
Philharmonic Musicians Step Out December 06, 2011 Ensemble players, chamber collaborators, soloists: in just one week in November, musicians from the New York Philharmonic are being called on to be any and all of these, as Stuart Isacoff explains.
Tori Amos does classical, too December 01, 2011 Tori Amos is a fearless explorer, having previously examined such dark topics as adultery, rape, homophobia and death in her rich aural tapestry of rock, electronica, country and Celtic influences. Her acclaimed 12th studio album, “Night of Hunters,” released in September, delves deep into mythology and classical music.
Team players: New CSO principals had baptisms by fire November 29, 2011 If New York's classical music life is feeling the effects of talent-drain just about now, blame it on Chicago.
Compelling Attention November 22, 2011 Bernard Haitink is returning to the New York Philharmonic in November after a long absence; Peter W. Goodman catches up with the eminent conductor.
John Eliot Gardiner's Historical Beethoven At Carnegie Hall November 21, 2011 When British early music conductor John Eliot Gardiner and his Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique storm Carnegie Hall tonight at 8 p.m. ET, they'll be equipped with the musical equivalent of muskets and pitchforks — valveless horns, wooden flutes and gut-stringed violins — to present three works by Beethoven.
Colorado Symphony adds concerts after finances forced cuts November 16, 2011 After shaving 10 concerts from its October-November bill in an emergency bid to cut expenses, the financially resurgent Colorado Symphony has rescheduled two canceled programs and added three performances to its lineup.
20 (PLUS) QUESTIONS WITH: Countertenor Iestyn Davies November 14, 2011 This is shaping up to a breakthrough season for the charming and abundantly talented British countertenor Iestyn Davies. On Nov. 14 he makes an extraordinary house and role debut at the Metropolitan Opera singing Unulfo in Handel’s Rodelinda.
Virginia Opera opens an updated version of 'Hansel and Gretel' November 10, 2011 Kevin Newbury, a young stage director working at Virginia Opera this month, believes he's found a winner in his interpretation of Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel." The brother and sister in this production are living in contemporary times and dealing with many of the problems — poverty, isolation, bullying from classmates — that afflict kids in today's society.
Hilary Hahn: The Commissioner of Short Works October 26, 2011 The American violinist Hilary Hahn has maintained an especially close connection to her fans since she began charting her own career path in early adulthood. She participates in all kinds of interviews with uncommon enthusiasm and has mastered the tools of social media more completely, and more creatively, than any other major classical artist. On her YouTube channel, for example, she can be found in lighthearted but substantive conversation with fellow artists—though she recently "interviewed" a tropical fish, as if to underscore her lack of pretension. And her Twitter account, cheekily named HilaryHahnViolinCase, dispenses tidbits about her life on the road from the perspective of a chatty piece of hand luggage.
20 (PLUS) QUESTIONS WITH: Opera Legend Marilyne Horne October 24, 2011 A special installment from Marilyn Horne, one of the great figures of American opera, beloved by the public and critics alike. On Oct. 31, the Metropolitan Opera Guild will pay tribute to Horne with a gala luncheon at New York's Waldorf Astoria.
Joseph Calleja: The Young Tenor With The Old-School Sound October 20, 2011 Opera fanatics often trot out the tired old complaint about how "they don't make 'em like they used to" while pining for the great singers of the past. But as an unabashed opera nerd, I can tell you that the sound of the "golden age" is alive in the voice of tenor Joseph Calleja. He's a young singer with an old-school sensibility, and he's just released his third album for Decca Records.
The voice doctor October 18, 2011 When opera star Stephen Costello needed a tonsillectomy, Academy of Vocal Arts teacher Bill Schuman was at his side. He not only builds voices, he reclaims them.
Yannick Nezet-Seguin: Watch my face, hear the music October 13, 2011 Rapt audiences say that the young French-Canadian's ultra-physical conducting style actually helps them listen. He talks to Edward Seckerson about life lessons, honesty – and his four-orchestra family.
|
