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New recordings of Bach Cello Suites

2/27/2020

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It seems there has been a spate of recordings of Bach's Cello Suites lately.  Those of us in classical radio have discussed among ourselves why so many cellists in a relatively short period of time have decided to record the suites.

At any rate, there are two recordings of the suites I'll call your attention to:

The first is by cellist juliana Soltis. A relative newcomer to the music scene, this West Virginia native isn't shy about trying new things.  Her most recent album--her second--is called Going off Script: the ornamented suites for cello.  It is her contention that the suites actually call for ornamentation as opposed to simply playing the notes as written. She elaborates on her reasoning in the album notes.  That album came out last September, and is available from retailers.

The second recording I'll mention has yet to be released, but will hit stores in April.  Alisa Weilerstein's recording of the set will come out on April 3.  Alisa is certainly among the finest cellists around today, She said this about the project: 

 “I have been living with these suites since further back than memory can reach, and I have grown with them throughout my life with the cello. Great music is a reflection of life as it is lived, and this recording is a reflection of myself, in 2019, at 37 years old, steeped in and still discovering Bach’s unparalleled accomplishment.”

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Livestream celebrates new album

2/21/2020

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Violinist William Hagen and pianist Albert Cano Smit are releasing a new album, Danse Russe. In an interview with violinist.com, Hagen said that for this--his first album--he wanted to record music that was both artistically fulfilling and that his grandmother would enjoy.

You can hear Hagen and Smit perform selections from the new disk tomorrow, Saturday February 22, at 8 p.m. Pacific/11 p.m. Eastern.  A link can be found here.

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In addition, you can read the interview with Hagen here.
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Opera that makes the audience travel

2/19/2020

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​(Photo by Dana Ross) 

​I don't think these happen too often any more, but I remember hearing about a thing called a progressive dinner--you go to one house for the first course (salad, perhaps), another for the main course, and another for dessert. I actually participated in one a couple of decades ago, but as far as I can tell the concept has faded.

But now we have what might be described as a "progressive" opera, in the sense that it requires that the audience travel to different locations for different scenes.  The opera is called Hopscotch.  It premiered in Los Angeles, and more details about the opera and how it worked can be found here.

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More Pianist Problems

2/14/2020

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At least no pianos were harmed in this case.

Pianist Eliane Rodrigues was preparing to perform in Rotterdam when she noticed a sticking note in the bass.  She called for help, but while they were searching for a piano to replace the one on stage, she decided to continue to entertain the audience by playing both while they were lowering the piano into the pit, and as the new piano came up!

This actually reminds me of an old Candid Camera stunt from many years ago, but this was real and totally unplanned.

​There's video of the whole thing here.
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Britain's Classic FM shows big increase in younger listeners

2/12/2020

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Defying the two canards that a) radio is dying, and b) young people don't listen to classical music, Britain's Classic FM has posted significant audience increases, especially in the 10-25 year old age group.

The station has shown growth in all dayparts and all demographics, and is experiencing it's highest ratings in 12 years.

​You can read their summary of the results here.
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Famed pianist's custom built piano destroyed

2/11/2020

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(Photo: Getty)

Famed pianist Angela Hewitt has--or more correctly had--a custom built Fazioli grand piano which cost just under $200,000.  She has used the piano in recordings since 2003.

She had just finished a recording session in Berlin.  Specialized movers came to move the piano after the session, and dropped it.  It was damaged beyond repair.

​Mored details can be found here.
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Conductors beware--AI is coming for you

2/11/2020

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Robots can do anything humans can, they say--even conduct an orchestra.  A few days ago, a new piece premiered for orchestra and robot conductor.  The robot even sings at times.

​You can read about it, and see video here.
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Soprano Mirella Freni dies

2/10/2020

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Italian soprano Mirella Freni has passed away.  She died in Modena which was also the city of her birth.

Freni was a close friend and contemporary of Luciano Pavarotti.  Roughly seven months apart in age, their mothers worked in the same factory.  The two knew each other well growing up, and both of them went to Mantua to study music.

She died of degenerative muscular disease, and had also experienced several strokes.  She was 84.

​You can read more about her life and passing here.


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Renee Fleming in residence at Juillard

2/6/2020

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(Photo by Andrew Eccles)

Soprano, arts advocate, and alumna Ren
ée Fleming returns to Juilliard in February for a residency of performances, master classes, and other activities. Her days at Juilliard include two public events: a free Music and the Mind event on improvisation and the brain on Tuesday, February 18, and a livestreamed Vocal Arts master class on Wednesday, February 19.



On Tuesday, February 18, at 6pm in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Fleming leads Music and the Mind: Improvisation and the Brain. She will present on her Music and the Mind initiative—an exploration of the power of music as it relates to health and the brain. Dr. Karen Chan Barrett of the Sound and Music Perception Lab at the University of California at San Francisco will present on research examining creativity through a neural lens. Throughout the program, Juilliard students from all divisions will collaborate to create a new interdisciplinary work. The evening will culminate in a conversation with all participants moderated by Juilliard President Damian Woetzel. The event is free and open to the public; tickets are required and are available at juilliard.edu/calendar.


While she’s in residency, Fleming will also give a livestreamed Vocal Arts master class featuring singers from Juilliard’s Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts on Wednesday, February 19, from 4 to 6pm, in Juilliard’s Paul Hall. The master class will feature Juilliard singers: sopranos Lila Dufy, Kathleen O’Mara, Maritina Tampakopoulos, and Meredith Wohlgemuth; mezzo-soprano Megan Moore; tenor Dashuai Chen; and baritone Greg Feldmann in arias and ensembles by Dvořák, Massenet, Mozart, and Strauss. Collaborative piano students performing in the master class are Dror Baitel, Francesco Barfoed, and Bronwyn Schuman. Tickets are $10 and available at juilliard.edu/calendar. In addition, the master class will be livestreamed at juilliard.edu/live and on medici.tv, where it will remain available for one year.


Fleming will participate in additional activities at Juilliard including a live podcast recording of the This Is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg on the topic of "Music and The Creative Brain" attended by the Juilliard community. The podcast host, Dr. Philip Stieg, is also Chair of the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.


While in New York City, Fleming will be performing with the New York Philharmonic conducted by its music director and Juilliard alumnus Jaap van Zweden, February 20-22. She will perform singer/songwriter Björk’s Virus and All Is Full of Love as well as Dark Harbor XXXV and Dark Harbor XI from Anders Hillborg’s The Strand Settings, a piece composed for Fleming. The concerts also include Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony and the world premiere of a work for orchestra by composer Ellen Reid. 



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Pianist Peter Serkin dies

2/4/2020

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Pianist Peter Serkin passed away over the weekend of pancreatic cancer.  He was 72.

(For what it's worth, I always thought of Peter's playing as just a little cerebral for my taste.  Nonetheless, he earned his reputation as a fine pianist.  His passing leaves a void.)

The New York Times writes about him in depth here.
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