25. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online, Symphony

There is certainly a good argument for maintaining huge symphony orchestras in every major city (and many minor ones) across the world. They have become symbols not only of Western civilization at its best, but of prosperity and the quality of life in the cities which they serve.

But these huge institutional orchestras are like imperialist armies that have over-extended themselves.

There’s much more where that came from, but I don’t want to steal the articles attention so go over there, read it, and leave your comments (but hey, why don’t you cut & paste and place your comments here too, okay?).

Do I have an opinion. Yep.

But so often I’ve heard “keep your thoughts to yourself” … so I will. ;-)

25. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: TQOD

Sign I need more stuff on my iTunes, just listend to the Hindemith OboeSonata.

24. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Sunday Evening Music

Philip Stopford: There Is A Green Hill
MELISMA

24. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Easter, Sunday @ Noon Music

Hallelujah!

Georg Friedrich Händel – Messias – Hallelujah – für 12 Violoncelli – Cellissimo 2010 – Leitung Uwe Schachner – Konzert im Rahmen des Osterkurses der Berufsfachschule für Musik Bad Königshofen am 31.3.2010 – www.bfsmusik.de – Uwe Schachner, David Tafler, Derya Atakan, Melanie Liu, Markus Scheppach, Henriette Gööck, Isabella Hart, Lena Hack, Ayelen Gallardo Reyes, Ingmar Escher, Elisabeth Müller, Judith Bieber, Hannah Barthel, Franziska Bauer, Jakob Vocke, Simon Molitor, Apollonia Hartmann, Claudia Dunkelberg, Sebastian Clobes, Georg Sendtner, Sarah Böhner, Christin Röder, Johannes Hofrichter, Veronika Hofrichter, Aileen To, Regina Waurick, Julian Ziegler, Carolin Scholz, Regina Schlereth, Kiara Hart, Daniel Schnorr, Kilian Harlos, Martin Röder, Tobias Saal, Nikolas Keller, Felix Lieschke

24. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Easter, Sunday Morning Music

Sinfonia

Adagio

Kommt, eilet und laufet

Come, hurry and run, you speedy feet,
reach the cavern which conceals Jesus!
Laugter and merriment
accompanies our hearts,
since our Savior is risen again.

Seele, deine Spezereien

O soul, your spices
need no longer be myrrh.
For only
crowning with the laurel wreath
will quiet your anxious longing.

Sanfte soll mein Todeskummer

Gentle shall my death-throes be,
only a slumber,
Jesus, because of your shroud.
Indeed, it will refresh me there,
and the tears of my suffering
it will tenderly wipe from my cheeks.

Saget, saget mir geschwinde

Tell me, tell me quickly,
say where I can find Jesus,
whom my soul loves!
O come, come, embrace me;
for without You my heart is
completely orphaned and wretched.

Preis und Dank

Praise and thanks
remain, Lord, your hymn of praise.
Hell and devil are conquered,
its gates are destroyed.
Rejoice, you rescued tongues,
so that you are heard in heaven.
Open, o heavens, your magnificent drawbridges,
the Lion of Judah approaches in triumph!

24. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Easter

John Tavener: As One Who Has Slept

As one who has slept the Lord has risen
And rising he saved us. Alleluia

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera

But I read it online so it must be true, right?

IN the margins of Puccini’s manuscript score for La Boheme, Mimi’s death is marked by a skull and crossbones.

Of course I did then look up this information and it does appear to be true.

Someone has a photo of it you can purchase (and view) here. (I contacted the photographer but I have no clue if I can afford the photo.)

Opening night tonight!

Update

Someone found a copy of the skull and crossbones that I can legally place here, as far as I can tell … (if I’m wrong it’ll come down. Trust me!):

Here’s another page of the score in Puccini’s hand, and this clearly states at the website that it is free for use on a website:

La Bohème, Act II, Sextet 1

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Videos

It sometimes is said that singers have a tough time counting. I am pleased to share this video, proving Ms. Fleming can count quite well:

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Opera, Photos

I spent my morning (and 30 minutes of my afternoon) at the Met. Not in New York, of course (although some year I sure hope I get to a live performance!), but at one of the movie theater performances. It was Richard Strauss’s Capriccio … and it was wonderful! I’m so glad I went.

Below are just a few photos, completely untouched up or straightened, but I’m too tired and lazy to do anything other than post ‘em!
Countdown time. (They began at about 10:15, I believe; does the Met always start late, or do they delay these simulcasts? Or both?)

Another fave of mine (and great blogger) Joyce DiDonato, interviewed Renée Fleming before the start (prerecorded, perhaps? I wonder!):

Not a lot of younger folks in this photo, but I did see one young girl in a when the showed the crowd at another point:

I was happy to get to hear Russell Braun again — he sang in Nixon in China and I really enjoy his voice):

Renée Fleming takes a bow:

23. April 2011 · 1 comment · Categories: FBQD · Tags:

I’m learning bass, I’ve been workin on drums, and I play piano and Oboe (although Oboe rarely comes in handy in pop) lol

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Holy Days

LAMENTATIONS FOR HOLY SATURDAY
LAMENTATION I

Tomás Luis de Victoria (Ávila, 1548 – Madrid, 1611)

Intérpretes: The Tallis Scholars (Peter Phillips)
Imágenes: Vidrieras de la Catedral de San Antolín (Palencia)

SABBATO SANCTO
LAMENTATIO I

HETH
Misericordiae Domini,
quia non sumus consumpti:
quia non defecerunt miserationes eius.

TETH
Bonum est viro
cum portaverit iugum ab adolescentia sua.

Ierusalem, Ierusalem,
convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum.

HETH It is because of the Lord’s mercy
that we are not consumed:
because his compassions fail not.

TETH It is good for a man
when he has borne the yoke from his youth.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
turn to the Lord your God.

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Losses

I’m very sorry to hear that composer Peter Lieberson died today.

links to other reports:
Read what WQXR
dramma per musica
Sequenza 21
NY Times

Below are compositions sung by his wife, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, who died in 2006:

23. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: TQOD

damaged my oboe… I really hate myself right now….

22. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online

Now, there’s more than just money at stake here; there’s also a sort of classical-world culture clash. And Nero’s feeling like he’s not getting the respect he deserves. But does he deserve it? Nero trades in “Pops,” which is widely regarded as classical-lite, and many classical fans would argue he’s never deserved any place in the Philadelphia Orchestra system at all. And if you’ve seen Nero’s shows versus the ones the Philadelphia Orchestra puts on themselves, you know why: Nero is, God love him, about as corny as they come. And the Orchestra is, well, the real deal. That ego — and really ego alone — might be one of the things that drove the Orchestra to the brink is sad enough. That Nero’s still pursuing his case against the PhilOrch, even now, and in the face of real danger for the institution, is even sadder still, and more than a little infuriating.

RTWT

Aw rats, I’m sorry to read this. Peter Nero once called me a gazelle, which I believe he meant as a compliment, in my very long hair and thinner days. He was very kind to me (I not only played in the orchestra but I was music librarian, so I dealt with him directly when he was here). I’m sorry to read that he’s suing the orchestra. That’s rotten.

22. April 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online

I mean really … what a dog of an idea. I can’t say it’s the cat’s meow, to be sure.

Okay. I’ll stop now.

PETA wants to help the bankrupt orchestra with an exchange: “Display PETA’s pro-vegan ad on the backs of musicians’ music stands, and PETA will donate money to help save the orchestra.”

RTWT