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Stephen Hough is both an outstanding pianist and truly nice individual. He's very involved in music festivals and such, helping to encourage the up and coming generation of musicians.
With that, here's an article he wrote this summer with some advice for young pianists.
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The Baltimore Symphony has undertaken an interesting project. They've analyzed the repertoire for the 2014-15 season of 21 major American orchestras, and compiled the results on their web site.
Among the findings:
You can dig into the data here. For the first time since 1895, the manuscript of Dvorak's New World Symphony--inspired by his time spent in America--will be coming to America.  In 1893 Czech composer Antonin Dvorak composed his most famous work, his Symphony No. 9, From the New World. He was living in the United States at the time, and was inspired by the American music he heard here, which he incorporated into his compositions. On November 16, 2014, the original manuscript of Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony returns to New York City. This is the first time the document has left the Czech Republic since Dvorak carried it back home in 1895.
The priceless manuscript will be on display at Bohemian National Hall at the Czech Center Gallery (321 E. 73rd Street), reunited with original orchestral parts on loan from the New York Philharmonic, who premiered the work at Carnegie Hall in 1893. The public is invited to view the exhibit November 17-21, from 1 pm to 9 pm daily. After November 21, the manuscript returns to the Czech National Museum in Prague. The Czech Center New York and Dvorak American Heritage Association will offer a number of related lectures, performances and film screenings at Bohemian National Hall. More information is below and at CzechCenter.com. Admission is free to both the exhibit and the related programs at Bohemian National Hall. The Czech government has arranged this unprecedented event in cooperation with the Czech National Museum, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the non-violent event that resulted in the end of Communist rule. With this gesture, the people of the Czech Republic express their gratitude to the United States for their support of 25 years of freedom and democracy. Viewing of Dvorak's original manuscript will be open to the public on the exact date of the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The celebration begins on November 16 with Carnegie Hall's presentation of a concert by the Czech Philharmonic, led by Jiri Belohlavek. On November 17, award-winning Czech classical guitarist Vladislav Blaha performs in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. If you thought--oh, say, Harvard (which was my first thought)--you'd be wrong, very wrong.
The surprising answer is found here. And by the way, classical was still way down the list on listening preferences there, but still far above other schools. The Telegraph is reporting on a study that shows that listening to music at work makes you more productive.
A company named Mindlab International conducted the study, comparing the effects of listening to four types of music--or none at all--on accuracy and speed at work. Classical music was found to be best for those whose work involves numbers, or attention to detail. You can read the whole story here. Unlike some orchestras, the Philadelphia Orchestra is doing quite well right now. They're back in the black and looking forward to the future.
Read the Philadelphia Inquirer story here. Meanwhile, the Memphis Symphony struggles, with the musicians agreeing to take a one-year pay cut. More here. And a new orchestra forms, with a strong educational mandate. The story here. It's mid-October and the Atlanta Symphony is still locked out. A Federal mediator is on the scene, but reports indicate little if any progress is being made.
ArtsATL speculates on whether Atlanta could lose their orchestra here.
Rocker Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead has a point.
He says classical concerts are boring--and he wants to bring back some of the excitement. Keep in mind that in centuries past, classical concerts weren't the type of thing we experience today. They were much less formal, and going to a concert then was more like going to a bar or coffeehouse today. So why not try bringing that same level of informality back? Here's a story from the BBC on Greenwood's ideas. |
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