What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)

[bhodges]

Tonight, this fascinating line-up by a young group, the Talea Ensemble.  I first heard them a couple of months ago and thought they were terrific.

James Dillon: Siorram (1992)
Jean-Luc Hervé: Reve de Vol. 1 (1996)
Perluigi Billone: Mani.Mono (2009, world premiere)
Tristan Murail: Les Ruines circulaires (2006)
Helmut Lachenmann: Trio Fluido (1966)

--Bruce

[owlice]

I got back a bit ago from this:

Toccata and Fugue, Bach/Stokowski
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Debussy
Night on Bald Mountain, Mussorgsky/Stokowski (have you spotted the trend yet? )
Ave Maria, Schubert/Stokowski
Carmina Burana, Orff

National Symphony Orchestra
Joanna Mongiardo, soprano
Robert Baker, tenor
Hugh Russell, baritone
The Washington Chorus
Emil de Cou, conductor

Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts

This was FABULOUS!! The chorus can really pump out sound, and the baritone... oh, the baritone! He was excellent, and tons of fun to watch. Ditto the other two soloists. All three hammed it up (appropriately hammed!), sang really well, and obviously enjoyed themselves, almost as much as the audience enjoyed them! And the orchestra sounded great!

I'm soooo glad I was invited!

[jlaurson]

I got back a bit ago from this:

Toccata and Fugue, Bach/Stokowski
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Debussy
Night on Bald Mountain, Mussorgsky/Stokowski (have you spotted the trend yet? )
Ave Maria, Schubert/Stokowski
Carmina Burana, Orff

National Symphony Orchestra
Joanna Mongiardo, soprano
Robert Baker, tenor
Hugh Russell, baritone
The Washington Chorus
Emil de Cou, conductor

Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts

This was FABULOUS!! The chorus can really pump out sound, and the baritone... oh, the baritone! He was excellent, and tons of fun to watch. Ditto the other two soloists. All three hammed it up (appropriately hammed!), sang really well, and obviously enjoyed themselves, almost as much as the audience enjoyed them! And the orchestra sounded great!

I'm soooo glad I was invited!

Glad you enjoyed that. They always do ham it up, don't they. Same here, a few years back, same "Swan". (Whom I must have seen at least thrice in that piece.)

And Emil de Cou, who is really good at these slightly more 'casual' concerts, was my first ever interview. Unofficial... over two hours of tape... and sadly I've never (or not yet) published it, because it contains some really juicy sound-bites.

[DavidW]

I'm looking forward to a free piano recital this Sunday.  Should be sweet!   I don't know what's being played, but anything that's (a) classical and (b) live and (c) free is fantastic!

[Solitary Wanderer]

NZSO in a couple of weeks
AUCKLAND
Thursday 13 August 6.30pm
Town Hall

A CELEBRATION OF BRAHMS
The second evening of Pinchas Zukerman's landmark visit is an opportunity to hear him perform in the Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello. He is joined by cellist Amanda Forsyth. Brahms' Double Concerto requires two such top-flight soloists. Lyrical and grand, the work was Brahms' last concerto and his last work for orchestra. Brahms' Third Symphony is often overshadowed by its more often-heard siblings. Yet from its tearing opening chords when the orchestra rips into the music it is clearly an equal work. With two beautiful inner movements and the elegiac finale, it resists the endings of more conventional symphonies. While mature, mellow and reflective it is a work in which Brahms' almost ceaseless energy and eagerness for invention is gloriously present. This remarkable performance also includes Brahms' famous Academic Festival Overture and his gypsy-spirited Hungarian Dances.  If one needed to discover the excitement in the works of this great Romantic, this is the moment.

Academic Festival Overture
Symphony No 3
Hungarian Dances No 3 & No 19
Concerto for Violin and Cello

JAMES JUDD Conductor/Music Director Emeritus
PINCHAS ZUKERMAN Violin
AMANDA FORSYTH Cello

Should be great! 

[owlice]

Thank you for having "Auckland" in your post, as I initially tried to pronounce "NZSO" and was wondering why a new group would give themselves such a name...!

(Too tired to think, obviously; I'm heading for bed!)

[MishaK]

Tomorrow:

Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Christopher Bell, Chorus Director
Allyson McHardy, Mezzo Soprano
John Mac Master, Tenor
Paul Whelan, Bass

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Now, when do you ever get to hear *that* performed live?

[Renfield]

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Now, when do you ever get to hear *that* performed live?

This year, at the Edinburgh International Festival!

(I already have tickets.)

[MishaK]

This year, at the Edinburgh International Festival!

(I already have tickets.)

I should have added "outside of Britain". 

[bhodges]

Tomorrow:

Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Christopher Bell, Chorus Director
Allyson McHardy, Mezzo Soprano
John Mac Master, Tenor
Paul Whelan, Bass

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Now, when do you ever get to hear *that* performed live?

Wow, how marvelous.  (I don't recall ever seeing it on a concert program, much less attending.)  Please report on it if you are inclined.

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Tomorrow:

Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Christopher Bell, Chorus Director
Allyson McHardy, Mezzo Soprano
John Mac Master, Tenor
Paul Whelan, Bass

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Now, when do you ever get to hear *that* performed live?

It underscores rather than controverts your point, of course.

[MDL]

I was noodling around the Southbank Centre last weekend and booked the following concerts:

Saturday 26 September 2009, 7.30pm

Gyorgy Kurtag: Stele, Op.33
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Resurrection)

Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Adriana Kucerova soprano
Christianne Stotijn mezzo-soprano
London Philharmonic Choir

I've yet to hear the LPO under Jurowski, but their concerts and recordings have collected some good reviews, so it's probably time I got my arse into gear.


Thursday 8 October 2009, 7.30pm


Alban Berg: Wozzeck (semi-staged)

Performed in German with English surtitles.


Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Simon Keenlyside Wozzeck
Katarina Dalayman Marie
Anthony Dean Griffey Drum Major
Robert Murray Andres
Peter Hoare Captain
Jan-Hendrik Rootering Doctor
Anna Burford Margret
David Soar 1st Apprentice
Leigh Melrose 2nd Apprentice
Ben Johnson Idiot
Philharmonia Voices
Jean-Baptiste Barriere video direction


"Video direction" no less. Salonen's Vienna series at the Southbank seems to be going down well. I had to miss Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, which got some rave reviews, so I've got my fingers crossed for Berg.

[bhodges]

Saturday 26 September 2009, 7.30pm

Gyorgy Kurtag: Stele, Op.33
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Resurrection)

Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Adriana Kucerova soprano
Christianne Stotijn mezzo-soprano
London Philharmonic Choir

Thursday 8 October 2009, 7.30pm


Alban Berg: Wozzeck (semi-staged)
Performed in German with English surtitles.

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Simon Keenlyside Wozzeck
Katarina Dalayman Marie
Anthony Dean Griffey Drum Major
Robert Murray Andres
Peter Hoare Captain
Jan-Hendrik Rootering Doctor
Anna Burford Margret
David Soar 1st Apprentice
Leigh Melrose 2nd Apprentice
Ben Johnson Idiot
Philharmonia Voices
Jean-Baptiste Barriere video direction

Wow, two great-looking ones.  Enjoy, and do report back.  That concert Wozzeck looks especially intriguing, with an excellent cast.

--Bruce

[Solitary Wanderer]

Next Concert is the APO

Mahler 6
PREMIER SERIES | SEVEN

8.00pm Thursday 20th August, Auckland Town Hall

Conductor: Eckehard Stier

MAHLER: Symphony No. 6

This will be the APO's first performance of Mahler's monumental sixth symphony, often called "The Tragic" symphony because of three "hammer blows of fate" which shatter the end of the symphony. The three blows of fate proved prophetic. Within three years Mahler had been stricken with a fatal heart disease, his daughter had died, and he had been forced to leave Vienna. The sense of resolve in the relentless face of fate, give this symphony a warmth and grandeur that make it one of Mahler's greatest works.

Should be great 

[bhodges]

Tonight, this one at the Mostly Mozart Festival:

International Contemporary Ensemble
John Adams, conductor
Michael Collins, clarinet

John Adams: Shaker Loops
John Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony
John Adams: Gnarly Buttons

--Bruce

[ChamberNut]

Next Concert is the APO

Mahler 6
PREMIER SERIES | SEVEN

8.00pm Thursday 20th August, Auckland Town Hall

Conductor: Eckehard Stier

MAHLER: Symphony No. 6

This will be the APO's first performance of Mahler's monumental sixth symphony, often called "The Tragic" symphony because of three "hammer blows of fate" which shatter the end of the symphony. The three blows of fate proved prophetic. Within three years Mahler had been stricken with a fatal heart disease, his daughter had died, and he had been forced to leave Vienna. The sense of resolve in the relentless face of fate, give this symphony a warmth and grandeur that make it one of Mahler's greatest works.

Should be great 

I'm excited for you!  I heard the 6th live last May.  Should be quite the experience! 

[Brian]

John Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony

Soon to be followed up with Bride of Chamber Symphony, I hope?

[bhodges]

Soon to be followed up with Bride of Chamber Symphony, I hope?

  Yes, and then, Son-in-Law, Cousin, Grandparents, plus the all-encompassing Extended Family of Chamber Symphony.

--Bruce

[bhodges]

Tonight, this one at the Mostly Mozart Festival:

International Contemporary Ensemble
John Adams, conductor
Michael Collins, clarinet

John Adams: Shaker Loops
John Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony
John Adams: Gnarly Buttons

--Bruce

This was one excellent concert, due to the superb playing of the ICE musicians.  (I heard from a couple of them that they enjoyed working with Adams a lot.)  Michael Collins, new to me, was a terrific soloist in Gnarly Buttons, with some fluid, virtuosic solos here and there. 

Some naysayers after, e.g., "This is 'new music lite'" and "It's already gone from my memory and I haven't even left the hall."  But that was the minority view: the place was packed for music by a living composer (Tully seats 1,100 people) and at the end many were whooping and applauding. 

--Bruce

[ChamberNut]

Winnipeg Chamber Music Society has released its 2009/2010 schedule.  This will be my third year as a subscriber!   Here are the seven concerts:

SEPTEMBER 27, 2009

HAYDN
Trio in E flat major, Hob XV:29
for piano, violin and cello

KODALY
Duo, op. 7
for violin and cello

BRAHMS
Trio in C major, op. 87
for piano, violin and cello
 

NOVEMBER 22, 2009

JANACEK
On the Overgrown Path
for piano solo

BEETHOVEN
Quartet in E flat major, op. 127
for two violins, viola and cello

JANUARY 10, 2010

SCHAFER
Quartet no. 9 (2005)
for two violins, viola and cello

BRAHMS
Quintet in F minor, op. 34
for piano, two violins, viola and cello


FEBRUARY 28, 2010

BEETHOVEN
Trio in B flat major, op. 11
for piano, clarinet and cello

SCHUMANN
Adagio and Allegro, op. 70
for horn and piano

SHOSTAKOVICH
Quartet in C minor, op. 110
for two violins, viola and cello
 

APRIL 18, 2010

BEETHOVEN
Variations in E flat major, op. 44
for violin, cello and piano

YOSHIMATSU
Fuzzy Bird Sonata
for saxophone and piano

DVORAK
Quartet in E flat major, op. 51
for two violins, viola and cello

JUNE 1, 2010

SCHUMANN
Piano Quartet in E flat major, op. 47

BOLLING
Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio

JUNE 3, 2010

MOZART
Piano Trio in E major, K542

MENDELSSOHN
String Quartet in E flat major, op. 44 no. 3